CLOTHING THE POOR.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 7065, 17 January 1885, Page 3

CLOTHING THE POOR.

BENEVOLENT WORE AT THE AUCKLAND GIRLS' HIGH SCHOOL.

An excellent method of assisting the poor and needy has just come under our notice, says the Auckland Star. Some time ago, Mrs Neil Heath, of the Girls' High School, was waited npon fora subscription towards the Auckland Benevolent Society. She readily expressed her willingness to assist the work, but her offering took a more practical form than contributions to these objects usually do. It had occurred to her that the system which obtained of imparting instruction in needlework to tbo girls in the school involved the loss of time and labor, which might be utilised for the benefit of the poor. Tha custom had been for the girls to bring with them scraps of cloth, upon which they were taught the art of needlework. Mrs Heath thought with good reason that instruction could be combined with utility, and that the girls might just as well be employed doing something to benefit themselves or others while they were gaining their own knowledge. Consequently she would not make any donation of money to the Society, but purchased materials for children's wearing apparel, which she decided to have made up in the school. Then she unfolded her scheme to the girls and invited their co-operation ; and, to their honor be it said, they entered into the spirit of the work enthusiastically. Their needlework instruction has been imparted while they have been engaged in the conversion of Mrs Heath's materials into useful clothing for poor and ill-clad children. That ifc has been sound and practical instruction is proved by an inspection of the seventy little garments which are now awaiting distribution. They have been cloverly cut out, and neatly and strongly mado, and the workmanship would not disgrace any of the local dressmaking establishments. Indeed, the finish of some is really first-class. These seventy garments consist of children's dresses, shirts, petticoats, and underclothing of various kinds. They form a second instalment, the first having been handed over to the Benevolent Society fur distribution. The idea is an admirable one, and might be carried into effect in all our public schools. It would teach thfe children to connect charity and ability to help the poor with their learning. The experiment at the Girls' High School has been a signal success, and the girls themselves have profited very considerably by the practical instruction they have received. So much interest having been aroused in the work, Mrs Heath stated her intention about a month ago of offering a prize for the upper and a prize for the lower school for the production of the best article of wearing apparel suitable for a poor person. The condition was that they should not receive any assistance either in the cutting out or manufacture of the article. Three little girls, who found they could not do the cutting out for themselves, did receive help, but they honorably came forward and said bo. The competition was so heartily entered into that 181 entries wera received, of which 65 were from the lower school. The school being undenominational in its character, it was determined to invite ladies from all the different denominations to judge the articles and award the prizes, and determine on the disposition of the articles. The judging occupied the whole of the morning, and subsequently the ladies, who had come prepared with lists of poor children who required clothing, met and decided to whom the articles should be given. The exhibits wpre on view in the side-room of the Choral Hall, and attracted considerable attention. They included garments of every conceivable description, of admirably selected material, and good workmanship. One of the smaller girls bad made a complete suit of serge clothes, with a handkerchief and rag doll in one of the pockets. Other boys' suit?, aud two complete girls' outfits, also attracted special attention. The general opinion | was that the exhibition of work was creditable alike to the girls and their teachers.