ANGLICAN ORPHANAGES

Evening Star, Issue 20592, 18 September 1930, Page 3

ANGLICAN ORPHANAGES

• -*■ REVIEW Of YEAR'S OPERATIONS The annual meeting of those interested in the Anglican Orphanages of the Diocese of Dunedin was held in St. Paul’s Schoolroom yesterday afternoon, the president (Bishop Richards) presiding over a large attendance. COMMITTEE’S REPORT. In submitting the honorary treasurer’s statement of receipts and expenditure fo>- the year ended March 31, the committee desired to record their sorrow at the loss they had sustained through the death of Mr A. A. Finch. He had acted as treasurer for the boys’ homo since its inception and lately for tho combined organisation. His unfailing courtesy and cheerfulness, combined with his successful management of the financial affairs of the orphanages, would make it very difficult to fill his place, _ Tho committee desired to draw attention to tb separate statement of accounts fox St. Mary’s Orphanage and tho Anglican Memorial Homo for Boys. As the amalgamation of tho orphanages did not take place until November, 1929, it had been necessary to show separate accounts for each homo from April to October. The statement of receipts and expenditure after the amalgamation—i.e., from November to March—-were shown separately. At the date of amalgamation St. Mary’s Orphanage had ah overdraft at tho Bank of New Zealand of £153 7s 6d, whilst the Anglican Memorial Home had a credit of £164 2s Bd. On March 31, when tho boons were closed, tho bank overdraft for the Anglican Orphanages was £57 17s 2d. Tho orphanages had been benefited by legacies under the wills of the late Flora M’Lean (£4,000) and the late Sir George Fenwick (£150). As it was the desire of the committee to keep the expenditure within the income, they would earnestly appeal fox increased support. The valued and efficient work of Miss Farrow (matron of St Mary’s) and Mr and Mrs Gerrard (master and matron of the memorial home for boys) and their staffs call for hearty appreciation of the committee and all friends of tho orphanages. The committee had again to tender its grateful thanks to all who had assisted in promoting the comfort and happiness of tho children, and to the various clubs, societies, and organisations for providing outings and entertainments which were so much appreciated by tho children. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT. Tho superintendent of orphanage work within the diocese (Rev. S. J. Cooper) reported that he had visited almost every parish and district, explaining tho work and soliciting subscriptions. He bad found the clergy very enthusiastic, and all without exception had given most generous and ready help; indeed, without that help it would have been impossible to have covered the territory. Tho amount received in subscriptions had, considering tho financial stringency, been fairly satisfactory, but not sufficient to balance tho expenditure. It was necessary to stress tho fact that with the amalgamation of the orphanages a largo increase in tho number of subscribers was essential to the successful working of that branch of their church activity. As these two orphanages were the only church homes operating in the diocese it was not too much to expect that they should at least bo able to pay their way. A load that was too heavy for tho few would become light if borne by the raany,_ Valuable help in tho work of collecting goods and money had been given by Mr F. Simkin, of Oamaru. The orphanages were particularly fortunate in their matrons and master. The constant care and attention to the children was noticeable by all who visited fho homos. . ST. MARY’S ORPHANAGE. In her report of the work carried out at St. Mary’s Orphanage during the year tho matron stated that when the year opened there were fifteen children in tho home. During the year four were admitted, five wore discharged, and one girl went out to work. It was with much thankfulness they were able to report that no serious illness Had befallen, any of the children this year., A few small ailments bad been kindly attended by Dr Russell Ritchie during Dr Batchelor's absence. Tho proprietor of Conn’s Grand Pharmacy had again been so good as to supply their medicines, etc., free of charge. Tho children did well at school, all passing their examinations with ( credit. Tho summer holidays had been spout at Broad Bay, and were much enjoyed. Two children were kindly invited by Dr and Mrs Morris to spend tho whole holiday at Pembroke, where one ol their old girls had been working for the past three years. Of tho eight girls who were out at work (but still under the care of . tho committee) seven returned to the homo to spend their annual holidays during tho summer. All were doing well, and were highly spoken of by their different employers. During tho year tho children and staff enjoyed the following treats : —Picnic and Christmas tree, Holy Innocents’ Sunday School, Leith Valley; picnic, Otago Motor Club; evening party at the homo, University Students’ Christian Union; Mr Clem Dawo at His Majesty’s Theatre; all-day picnic, Commercial _ Travellers and Warehousemen's Association; annual tea party, given by Miss Galbraith; tea at the Vedic, given by Mrs Morris; tea and evening’s music at the home, Buffaloes’ Lodge; picnic, Dunedin Orphans’ Club; drill display and concert, St. Hilda’s Collegiate School; concert and dancing, Afcherfield Girls’ School; birthday party, St. Matthew's Mothers’ Union; tea and games at tho home, Miss Mackie _ (Sister Linda) ; party, Guild of Gratitude, St. John’s, lloslyn; picnic, High and Technical School Christian Endeavour; Christmas tree and pictures, young men’s Bible class, Roslyn; tea party, Holy Cross Girls’ Club. Tho matron wished to express her thanks to the many friends who had again helped her in many ways during the year, especially the different guilds and ladies with the sewing, tho teachers at tho Morningtou School, and Miss L. Grecnall for musical training of tho children. BOYS’ MEMORIAL HOME. Mr J. S. Gerrard, master at tho Anglican Boys’ Memorial Home, imported that thirty boys were in residence during tho year. Nine boys were discharged and four boys wero admitted. A position was found in tho country for one boy, two were sent to a ■special school, and six boys wore discharged to their relatives. Tho health of the boys had boon good. Their sincore thanks wore due to Dr E. H. Williams for his keen interest in tho homo and kind attention to tho boys. Every endeavour was made to keep in touch with tho boys who had left the home, and a pleasing feature of tho work was tho number of old boys who visited tho homo and brought their wives and friends along with them. Tho clothing of tho boys gave a great deal of thought to the matron, and naturally there was a lot of wear and tear, and some more assistance with tho mending and darning would bo appreciated. They would like to place on record their thanks for tho assistance received from All Saints' Girls’ Friendly Society, with tho mak-

ing up of new materials. They also acknowledged their gratitude to the many friends and firms in town_ who had given generously towards their requirements. _ Their cricket and football teams played several matches with teams from the various parishes in the city. The games were very enjoyable, while they also assisted to make their work known to the young people of the church. One of the boys was chosen to represent .Otago in the primary schools’ Association football tournament, which was held at Dunedin in August. _ Their thanks were due to tho many friends who organised concerts for the entertainment of the boys. The summer camp was held at Karitane. The weather was good, and the boys thoroughly appreciated their three weeks under canvas. They wore greatly ndobted to the residents and visitors u that district, especially to Mrs Pan; I’o Tau and friends for all their kind uesa in assisting at the concerts given, and also for their help in providing for the larder, and to Rev. C. N. Luker, vicar St. John’s, Waikonaiti, and Mr 12. Davis, VVaikouaiti, for their kind and ready help. The Chairman, in moving the adoption of the report, said that the work during the year gave cause for complete satisfaction considering the difficult period through which they had passed. Ho pointed out that those who had liooii through tho orphanages looked bade on their old homo whenever they had an opportunity of doing so. Archdeacon Cur/.on-Siggcrs seconded tho motion, tho report and .balancesheet being adopted.