ST. MARY'S HOMES

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 110, 11 May 1934, Page 11

ST. MARY'S HOMES

ANNUAL MEETING HELD

STORY OF GOOD WORK DONE

There was not quite such a good attendance at the annual meeting of St. Mary's Homes as usual yesterday, owing, no doubt, to the cold and wet weather. The meeting was held at tho Diocesan Rooms, the Bishop of Wellington presiding. ' The annual report and balance-sheet were passed. Archdeacon Hansel], in proposing that this be done, spoke of the difficulties of the time, and of the past year in particular. H6 mentioned specially the gratitude which all felt for the generous bequests which had lightened the load of the guild so wonderfully, and which meant that the homes could be carried on with unimpairod efficiency. The fact that the trustees had allowed the Anne Anderson bequest to be used to relieve the I guild of a heavy yearly tax in interest to tho bank, did not mean that this was a precedent, but only a measure which had to be taken,, following on the general financial stringency which affected every business and charitable organisation. He was always hoping that there would not be such a crying need for such homes, but in the present the need existed in a great degree. He paid a tribute to the work carried on. at the homes, .and quoted a friend who had said to him: "The girls at St. Mary's are.a picture of happiness and health." He knew that this was largely due to the goodness and efficiency of the matron, Miss Parlane, and those associated with her. Institutional mistakes were avoided at St. Mary's, and the homes were homes indeed. The girls had the advantage of being brought up with common sense of a high order. DEFICIT OF £400 FEE ANNUM. Archdeacbn A. M. Johnson spoke of the generosity of the late Mrs. Anne Anderson, and said he hoped that some memorial of her would be placed either at the home, or in the parish. The guild was rather a wonderful one. The members, some of them, had worked happily together for 35 years, and this fact was an answer to those who .did not realise the binding power of good work and religion. Mrs. Wallis spoke of the pleasure all felt that Mrs. Sprott was able to be about once more, and congratulated her on her recovery from her serious illness. She, paid a tribute to Mrs. Sprott's work of so many years for the homes. Mrs. Wallis pointed out that' the bank overdraft was not over and done -with, but only relieved in the meantime by the diversion of the Anne Anderson bequest. It was a fact that the expenses of the homes amounted to £.400 per annum more than the income —there were four houses, 110 persons, with maintenance and all expenses in the way of taxation, etc., to be met, and this was largely made possible by the generous "gifts in kind" regularly made to the homes, as well as by the cash donations. Mrs. Wallis concluded by stating that something must be done to meet the extra £400 each year.

Mr. IT. D. Bennett, one of the trustees, attended, and put the matter of the-finaneesof the homes plainly before, the meeting. He said that no one could possibly expect the members of thi guild to work any harder than they did, and had done for many years, but he felt that some special efforts would have to be made to meet the additional £400 eaeli year which had to be spent to keep the homes going, or the overdraft difficulty would occur again, and the guild would be faced with it.

Bishop Sprott, in closing the meet-1 ing, congratulated all concerned on the ! good work done. They were not alone I in financial difficulties, he assured them. Church financies wore not good anywhere, and he urged that noiie should be discouraged or allow themselves to | be overcome by difficulties. They had to be faced boldly and then they would be overcome. MONEY-RAISING EFFORTS. I Later it was stated that there are, at present, two substantial efforts being prepared, in the.way of good entertainments, which, will take place in July, which should be of great assistance. Miss Nieholls and others have arrangeI ments well in hand for these.

Mrs. Sprott entertained all present at afternoon tea at Bishopscourt, when a pleasant social time was spent.

The officers of the guild for the ensuing year are as follows:- —Patroness, The Lady Bledisloe; visitor, The Bishop of. Wellington; warden, the Yen. Archdeacon Johnson; chaplain, Bey. F. M. Kempthorne; trustees, "Messrs. E. F. Hadiield, G. Shirteliffe, H. D. Bennett, and A. D.Park; president, Mrs. Sprott; vice-presidents, Mesdames K. E. Hayes, Rawnsley, and Miss Baber; hon. secretary, Mrs. Wilsone; hon. treasurer, Miss Powles; committee, Mesdames Shirteliffe, . Webster, G. Wilson, Bristow, James, Hansell, H. D. Bennett, Pope, Pow, Misses Francis, Cooper, Nicholls, and Didsbury; life member, Mrs. Wallis; hon. physicians, Dr. Sylvia Chapman, Dr. Campbell Young.