ANGLICAN ORPHANAGES

Evening Star, Issue 21541, 13 October 1933, Page 12

ANGLICAN ORPHANAGES

HUMANITARIAN WORK PROGRESSES INSTITUTIONS FINANCIALLY SOUND & On a level site, high above the harbour on the hill at Vauxhall, the Anglican orphanages are situated. The location is ideal. Set in grounds beautifully kept by the boys, the homes command a striking view of the harbour and the city, while, from the rear, the view extends over the hills and Anderson’s Bay to the ocean. Friends who visited the orphanages to-day for the annual meeting were impressed by the good order of the buildings and the 10 acres of ground; and those who were making their first inspection were full of admiration for the lay-out and control of the institutions. Over 32 little inmates are now being cared for. The annual meeting of the Anglican orphanages (incorporating the St. Mary’s orphanages and the Anglican Memorial Home for Boys) was held in the hall, Dr E. H. Williams presiding. The bishop was unable, for health reasons, to be present. Moving the adoption of the annual report, Dr Williams said that it was gratifying to welcome so many to the annual meeting, which this year was of special interest in that it was the first since the boys’ and girls’ homes had been brought together under one roof, or, more correctly, a series of roofs. In reviewing the history of the work certain milestones could he recalled. The first was when No. 1 was purchased ; the next when the adjoining residence was acquired. Then the two were joined by a common dining room. Recently the management of the Boys’ Home and St. Mary’s Orphanage had been in the hands of a combined committee, and still more recently the girls had been moved to the Vauxhall institution, in which they would be under the wonderful supervision and care of Mr and Mrs J, S. Gerrard.

“ But though St. Mary’s Orphanage would seem to have been absorbed in this way, it will always be the endeavour of the committee to preserve its identity,” said Dr Williams. “We can never forget the generosity of the late Mrs J. M. Ritchie and of the members of her family. Nor can we forget the devotion of all those ladies who have worked through many years for the welfare of the girls. Some have passed away, but their work has been commemorated by dedication tablets.” Through an oversight only the cots endowed in the boys’ home were published in the annual report, and he made recognition of the cots endowed for the girls. FINANCIAL POSITION.

One of the primary reasons for the amalgamation of the two institutions was the reduction of overhead charges, said Mr S. P. Mirams (hon. treasurer), who seconded the motion. Naturally, at this time, it was found that donations and subscriptions were dwindling and the question arose how they were to run the two institutions. They had to depend largely on bequests made during the year in order to carry on ; and, in all instances, the bequests were made free of any conditions. Consequently there was no breach of trust on the* committee’s part in approaching the Standing Committee from time to time to ask for assistance to meet the expenses. The income from donations and subscriptions bad - decreased by £358 ITs Sd, which, of course, made a tremendous demand upon every source. Expenditure had been reduced by £SO, and income from interest, due to the receipts from one large bequest made in the previous year, increased by £lO9 11s 3d, That increase greatly helped the committee. The year was started with an overdraft of £159, which gradually rose to £3OO. Authority was then obtained from the Standing Committee to use an amount to wipe off the overdraft, which now stood at £27. INCREASED ASSETS. The homes were in quite a decent position, financially, Mr Mirams fully believed that the saving by amalgamation would be £4OO per annum. They could not look for some years to come to any great increase of donations and subscriptions, as they came largely from the country. The homes were very mpeh indebted to the country friends for the way in which they had supplied fruit, vegetables, and farm produce. The assets in the hands of the Diocesan Trust Board had increased by £1,400. The sum would have been greater if they had not been compelled to call on some of the bequests to carry- on. So far as be could ascertain, said Mr Mirams, the additions to the buildings would cost £574. The contract, with extras, amounted to £SBG, and architects’ fees to £36, but a refund of £44 was to come from the Unemployment Board’s subsidy. The committee had also arranged with the neighbour to pay half the cost (£l6) of a new fence. Everything was in splendid order in the home, and they were well set for a successful year, provided donation income could be kept up. ■ The Rev. AY. A. Curzon-Siggers (superintendent) referred to the particular generosity of country clergy and parishioners. A tribute should be paid to the clergy for their work in interesting friends of the orphanages. Ihe physical and spiritual welfare was attended to at the orphanages. In obtaining work for the older inmates they had been very successful, and again thanks were due to friends. In reply to a question. Mr G. R, Ritchio explained that the Ritchie family acquiesced in the amalgamation of St. Mary’s with the other home. The Rev. I. L. Richards spoke of the spiritual work among the children. He pal'd tribute to the splendid work of the master and matron (Mr and Mrs Gerrard), who managed with a minimum of staff. Miss Page was a vain-, able assistant; she possessed special gifts of character. Archdeacon Russell (Oamaru) said the work had gripped friends in North Otago. He eulogised Dr Williams’s services over a lengthy period. The committee was to be congratulated on removing the girls’ home to Vanxhall to share the beauties of the boys’ homo. The motion was carried. COMMITTEE RE-ELECTED.

The following committee was reelectedDr E. H. Williams, Mesdames C. W. Birch, S. Batchelor, E. Ilazlctt C. Mav, Miss Graham, Messrs ’O. W. Rattray, G. R. Ritchie, \V C. Talboys, D. M. Spedding, and AV, E. Earnshaw; hon. treasurer, Mr S. P. Mirams; hon. auditor, Mr J. G. Butler. A resolution of appreciation of Dr p S Batchelor’s service as honorary physician of St. Mary’s Orphanage for many years was carried. On the motion of Mr W. It. Earnshaw a vote of thanks to the master, matron, and staff was carried. ADDITIONS DEDICATED. The new additions to the institution were later dedicated by the Very Rev. Dean Cniickshank, ' assisted by the Bev. Curzon-Siggers. The Dean said that the prayers of the whole diocese went out that the homes would forever receive the blessings of God. Tho visitors were then entertained at morning tea on the lawn.