DUNEDIN SISTERS' MISSION

Evening Star, Issue 11657, 18 September 1901, Page 8

DUNEDIN SISTERS' MISSION

The following are the principal clauses in the report of Sister Olive, as embodied in the Committee's report to be submitted to the annual meeting of the Mission, to be he'd this evening: It has been a privilege to follow up the good work done by Sister Sinclair, and it is pleasing to bear expressions of the high esteem in which she is held by the poor of Dunedin. It is impossible for the casual observer to realise how much need there is for the work of a mission in our City, but there exist many haunts of vice and sufficient poverty to tax all our resrurees. Owing to the unusual severity of the. winter a great amount of sickness has prevailed. and in cases of necessity medical advice and nurses have been obtained and extra assistance rendered during times of unusual trial. It has also been necessxiry in some instances to perform the last offices for the dead, as seven deaths have occurred amongst my people during the past nine months. Quite recently the father of a young family was taken awav, leaving the mother, who is in a delicate state of health, to battle alone. For her the future appears gloomy and uncertain; her children are much too young to allow of her going out to work, and but for charitable aid the family would be destitute. Many men and women have been supplied with work, and are thus enabled to earn an honest living, and to take a position of independence samongst their fellowcitizens. Large quantities of wood, coal, food, clothing, etc., have been distributed to persons in need, and the burdens of many have been lightened. Much sorrow and distress are caused through the sinful misuse of wages, and a large number of innocent victims suffer in consequence. One little woman with two helpless babes has been, for some time, in constant dread of an impending tragedy, owing to the intemperance of her husband; sho has to meet the demand fop payment of various bills connected with household expenses, and is, at times, bordering on despair. An invalid girl with a deformed spine has for many years been compelled to sit on a hard, upright chair, in a position of great discomfort; several young people were asked to collect sufficient money for an arm chair, which bus been secured for her. Clothing has been procured for a poor little wastrel, whose parents have failed to support her; she is being reared amidst very unwholesome surroundings, and her future promises to be a sad one. I was catLled into a house occupied by a middleaged woman who had been deserted by her husband, and left with a large family of young children, having found it very difficult to support them. She was eventually removed to respectable quarters, where she gave evidence of penitence, and passed peacefully away a few weeks afterwards. .There is ample scope for rescue work in our town. In one of the. vilest haunts imaginable there aro'to be found several girls. Notwithstanding their evil practices, they seem to appreciate any interest taken in them. Cases of this kind require much patient, loving, and careful attention. The Committee of the Benevolent Institution have given kind consideration to all matters brought before, them, and have given most valuable assistance. Members of tie medical fraternity have also kindly proffered their services on various occasions. Many aged and infirm men and women, who are cutoff from»most of the pleasures of life, seem to be much cheered when prayed with or read and sung to. It is easy to shed a ray of sunshine on the path of these lonely lives. A pitiable case was brought under my notice last week, and is now undergoing careful investigation. A man and a woman, both past middle life, have beeu unable, to obtain employment; one child is in the asylum, another likely soon to follow; the only girl, about seventeen years of a.ge, is in consumption, but endeavors to remain ab her occupation, where she receives 5s per week; sho sleeps on a hard sofa, with no covering save some jackets, etc., which are thrown over her; the house is almost destitute of furniture, and the family are in rags. Some relief has been given, but much more will be required. Assistance has been rendered in cash, clothing, food, and in many other ways by friends whose names are given.