ANGLICAN BOYS HOMES

Evening Post, Volume XCIII, Issue 90, 16 April 1917, Page 4

ANGLICAN BOYS HOMES

A CRISIS REACHED

ANNUAL' REPORT.

The sixth annual report of the Anglican Boys' Homes Society, Diocese of Wellington, to be submitted at the annual meeting on Tuesday next, is to hand. It states that, though this is the sixth annual report presented to members, the society has been in active operation for barely five years, the home at the HutS having- been opened on 4th May, 1912, with one inmate. Since then, notwithstanding many vicissitudes, the society has gradually extended its work, and its piiesenfr position gives cause for. deep thankfulness to God for many blessings received.

In the opinion of the executive a crisis in'the history of the society has now been reached. The hope was expressed in tho last annual report that a decided forward movement might be made during the year just ended. For various reasons this was found impossible, but it has now become imperative. The society must either increase its accommodation, and that quickly, go as. to improve the working conditions and provide for some extension of its work, or it must reduce the number of boys now being cared for. As the latter alternative cannot possibly bo entertained, and tho extra accommodation cannot be satisfactorily provided on the present site, the society is faced with the immediate necessity of procuring a new site and buildings. Owing mainly to the generous bequest of the late Mr. Peter Smith it lias for this purpose a nucleus of some £900, which will be increased fry a further sum when matters connected with the bequest are finally settled. This sum will need to bo at least doubled, if the society is to meet sin an at all satisfactory manner even the present pressing needs of the diocese. It is therefore earnestly hoped that members and friends will do their utmost to augment the funds during the next few months. The. most urgent need is an. assured income of adequate amount, and this can be secured most readily ,by increasing: the society's membership, which at the present time numbers about one hundred. In a diocese such as ours it should be quite possible to quadruple this number. An extension fund has also been established for which special donations will be thankfully received. The general financial, position of the society is more satisfactory than-in .past years, and the balance on the ordinary account may seem large, but it has to be remembered that the matron's salary, the maintenance of a family of sixteen or seventeen persons, and the general upkeep of the home have to be provided for from/current income.

There are at 'present fifteen boys in the home-. Two were discharged during the year, one going to live with relatives, and the other being transferred to Hikurangi College, Clareville; while three were admitted. The health. -of 'the boys has been remarkably good, and their progress at school most satisfactory. The only serious illness has been a mild form of diphtheria, which, at- time of writing, has attacked two boys, both of whom are progressing very favourably at the Wellington Hospital. :

The executive-. desires to place on record its continued confidence in the matron, Mrs. Heseltine, whose able management and keen interest in the spiritual' and physical welfare of the boys have, under God's 1 providence, made the homo the undoubted success it now is. To Mr. Heseltine, too, the i executive is indebted for the labour he has' expended on the grounds, and for the interest he lias shown in the work of the. society and the welfare of the home.

During the Christmas tho boys spent three weeks in camp at Paremata, and had a splendid time. They ■were' the guests- of the vicar and parishioners of the district, who generously bore the whole cost of the outing. Other Christmas pleasures, including the cost of a Christmas dinner from Opunake, were provided by friends far and near.

The annual gift tea was held at tha Home on 3rd March, . and proved an even greater success than in previous years, the. value of gifts in money and kind exceeding fifty pounds.

Besides those already mentioned, tho thanks of the society are specially due to Dr. Mirams, the honorary physician; to Mr. E. 'P. Eishworth, the honorary dentist; to Messrs. Young and Tripe, the honorary solicitors of the society, for their legal services; to Nurse Coulton, for relieving the matron on several occasions; to those parishes and Sunday Schools which ha\-e sent Christmas, harvest thanksgiving, and other offerings; and to the many friends who have sent presents, in great variety. Such gifts lessen the cost of maintenance to an extent that the donors, scarcely realise, or'their--number would be greater than it is, .

The following appendix is attached to the report : —Mr. E. P. Pashworth \vrites as follows: "Responding to your request for a report dealing with the boys under my care as"honorary dentist to the home, I have pleasure in stating that, from. my point of view, there is ample evidence of . efficient supervision ; the bays are clean/and well-behaved; there is an excellent 'tone,' and the admiration for the matron is constantly shown in conversation and demeanour. My duties have not- been heavy, and it is a satisfaction to learn from the matron that the boys have been saved the sufferings of neglected teeth and consequent aches. I shall be pleased to continue the duties of honorary dentist to (the liome for the coming year."