ST. VINCENT DE PAUL’S ORPHANAGE

Evening Star, Issue 12624, 2 October 1905, Page 4

ST. VINCENT DE PAUL’S ORPHANAGE

Yeefceiday afternoon the Premier, whsr was accompßSued by Mis Bean, Hif Warship the Mayor of Panrim, «*» « number of citizens, paid a -visit to the above at Sooth Pmwxtui, ana witnessed with evident pjeamre a aeries _of action songs and free exercises by the inmates of the institution, who number seventy-five, their ages ranging from fifteen to "tots” of tender years. The nyjtrt hon. gentleman was received by the bishop of file diocese (the Most Eev. Dr M. Verdoc). Fathers Coffey (who is manager of the 01stitutkml, Howard, Cocran, and listen. These me also present a number of ladies and gentlemen, who take a warm interest in the institution, as well as the members ol the dramatic organhation who werelast week the means of providing a substantial sum for the maintenance 1 of the Home. Mr Seddon and has party were especially interested in the arrangements and method of the Home, the scrupulous cleanliness and comfort of the dormitories extorting general admiration. The proceedings were opened by Mias Emily Hoofighan, aged nine yearn, reading with much dignity the following address of welcome: Right Eton. E. J. Seddon, Friend*, end Beoefaofcoa. We, the tMWron of 6L Vincent da Paid’s Orphanage, from the depths of c«u- grateful hearts, offer you a warm welcome. Young though we are, wo bav© been taajrbt to vahao yoor kind patronage, awj to Know and appreciate the land interest too hftre at all times tohm in oar welfare. Wo <ie&iro to take advantage of yot*f presence amongst us to-day to exyoeas oar gratitude, and to say that m the years that ana to oomc wo idwdl, by leading good and useful lives, prove ocrssives worthy of <di thaf* is being dono for us now. After some part and patriotic mm bera had been song by the children, the elders of whom performed club and other exercises iu a way that reflected much ciodit on their instructors. The Rev. Father Coffey, in a few wellchosen words, eaad that they were greatly indebted to the for haying found time to pay even* a short visit to their Home. The institution had only been m existence about seven yca», - but during that time a great deal of hard work had boon accomplished, cs the extent of thoii grounds and the solid character of then , buildings demonstrated. It wt» one of tlu aims of the management that the imnates should, as for as possible, while they reniainod in the institution, enjoy all the ocnnfortfl and advantages of a true home. They used the institution mainly as a piaoo wherein they slept and look their menlfi. and for the rest (without any distinction whatever) they mixed freely with ihoch-1-dr'di who attended the parish school, where all were being educated with the same opportunity for fitting them to b© useful members of the general oanummity. He hnd especially to thank Mr and Mrs Fuller and those who hud been associated with them in the production of ‘My Sweetheart f at the Princess Theatre. The result would probably be a‘ substantial and nwch-nfceded. addition to tho funds of the Orphanage. He took that opportunity of acknowledging the cordial ao-operat«»i of Mr J. J. Marlow, who aa bon. secretary had been the right man in» the right place, and te whoso efforts was largely duo the monetary success of the cnt«^ainineot.-^Applause.) Mr Seddon, in repiying, said it bad given him t-lie utmost pleasure to be present that ofterooewt to witness the exceed ingly interesting etcrci&a and to bw tie excellent ringing of the girlfi. He was, In fact, the most substantial pnrart in the colony, because as Minister of Ednctioa he mas responsible to Parliament for tbs welfare of somethin# like 2,700 children, who looked to the State as their parent. So lon# as society was constituted as it was there would be need for the existence of yihilanthropic-religious institutions of the character of this Orphanage, and ho need hardly add thut he sincerely wished every success to this one. After addressing the children in characteristically homoiy language, he told Father Coffey that no matter what his engagements in Dunedin might be when he visited this City in future, he * would find the time to pay a visit to the Bt. Vincent da Paul’s Orphanage, and see for himself the progress the young people were making in their education and other studies under the wise and careful supervision of Father Coffey, the rev. mother, and the competent staff of assistants by whom they were surrounded. The Mayor of Dunedin also congratulated the management of the institution on tho admirable manner in which it was cooductal ; and Mr John Puller, replying to a vote of thanks tendered to his wife and the mom here of the dramatic company, intimated that if they were in Dunedin next year the services of Mrs Fuller and himself would be freely placed at the disposal of -each a deserving institution.