NEW ORPHANAGE

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXI, Issue 305, 9 December 1931, Page 11

NEW ORPHANAGE

WANGANUI INSTITUTION. OPKED ON SATURDAY. Wanganui, Dec. 6. The Margaret Watt Presbyterian Orphanage was opened yesterday by the Mayor, Mr N. G. Armstrong,' assisted by the Rev. John Paterson, in the presence of a large crowd. The institution, which was erected at a cost of £7OOO, was built in memory of the late Miss Margaret Watt, who lost her life when the ship Avalanche was sunk in the English Channel on 11th September, 1877. Many old residents who had known the late Miss Watt had made a special effort to be present, and also the desce'ndants of a number of Wanganui people who had lost their lives on the Avalanche. The ceremony of hoisting the old flag (according to instructions in the will of the late Mr W. H. Watt, the donor of the home) was performed by Mrs Fleetwood, a sister of the late Miss Watt, who also unveiled a tablet to her memory. Miss Nellie Watt, a niece, unlocked the main door. Both were presented with handsome bouquets by the Watt Trust Committee. The site, which was given by the late Mr W. H. Watt for the orphanage, comprises 53J acres. From the windows at the back of the building there is to be seen a glimpse of the sea; from the front a wide view of undulating country. It is intended by the trustees that three more institutions shall be built in close proximity to the present one, which will give accommodation to approximately 120 children. It is proposed to teach the children al] forms of small farming, and make the orphanage farm self-supporting. Among the descendants of the founders of the old firm of Taylor and Watt present at the opening ceremony were Mrs Fleet-

wood, Airs Marsack, Misses N. Watt and Fleetwood, Messrs Harold Watt and J. J. Taylor, and also Mrs N. G. Armstrong, who is Mayoress of Wanganui.