WAIES AND STRAYS SOCIETY.-AN APPEAL TO ENGLISHMEN.

Evening Star, Issue 15075, 6 January 1913, Page 1

WAIES AND STRAYS SOCIETY.-AN APPEAL TO ENGLISHMEN.

to Tin; rniTOR. Sir.—Will you kindly oii< !»■ me. thtough the. medium of your volume,,', to make an earnest appeal to your readers on behalf of the above society, which is an ollicially recognised organisation for the rescue and care of homeless and destitute children, as is evidenced by the fad that their Majesties the King and Queen are patrons. It is generally admitted that there is no more C'hristlike work than that in which I ho society is, engaged—-vi/.., the. caring of the "waif" children of orr Mother Country; and there is no doubt that the question is one of the most- burning social problems of the present clay. What would become of these poor hitman derelicts it is hard to say, but it require.-- little imagination to realise that were it not for such societies as oius stretching forth .a saving hand and rescuing them from lives of sin and niisory, they would in most cases go to swell the ranks of poverty and trims. The* splendid result of the eoeiotyV, operations may he gathered from the fact that over 17.300 children have been received under its care sines its establishment, the majority of whom are now Godfearing, self-supporting, and self-respecting men anti women, and living witnesses to the efficacy of its work. At present, the society's family consist? of more than 4,300 Kays and girls, who arc being fed,, clothed, and cared for in the 112 homos, or boarded out in the country with respectable foster-parents. Then there is lire emigration branch, which is principally utilised for those children uhorn it is absolutely necessary to separate an far as possible frore their uivnort-hv and disreputable relatives and parents, in order that all the luving care and attention which has

been bestowed upon them should not bo wasted. For the maintenance of such ;t work nni-'i bt? forthcoming. and it is with this objei-t in view I am anpeaiing to your leaders to show (heir ml.west and practical sympathy, (lifts both in niunev and land aw most acceptable, and would bo most pratsfullr received al the address below. Unfortunately nt the present time there is a serious overdraft on the general fund, amounting to nearly £5.000. which is considerably hampering our operations, and if the society's work is not to be outtaiied. it is most necessary that the delicit should be extinguished with the least possible delay. Notwithstanding the laxge number of cases already accepted, there still remain in our largo cities and towns many little waifs and strays who should be rescued from lives of sin and degradation, and given a chance in life. Subscriptions and donations, however small, are earnestly solicited, and, will he most, gratefully received and acknowledged by the undersigned (bankers, Ixmdon and fSoutb Western Dank, Kenuington branch). —1 am, etc., F. de 51. Ruddle. Old Town Hall, Kenuington, London. S.E., England, 25th November, 1912.