CHILDREN’S HOMES

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXV, Issue 161, 24 June 1935, Page 11

CHILDREN’S HOMES

Activities of Past Year MR. LOWRY’S GENEROSITY The annual report of the Hawke's Bay Children’s Homes trustees makes particular mention of the £5OOO gift by Mr T. H. Lowry, from which an income of £2OO a year will greatly help towards the maintenance of the homes. The trustees have already recorded their appreciation of this gift. The report deals with the farming activities of the home at France House, Eskdale, and says there is little difficulty in securing positions for the boys trained there. It mentions also the instructional entertainment provided for the girls’ home, and goes on to say that Mrs Charles Douglas has taken the girls for singing, Mrs Waterworth for literary w’ork, and Mrs R. Absolom and Miss Rochfort for folk dancing. To these ladies the trustees express their heartiest thanks.

The girls’ home has been ably conducted by Miss Mountford, assisted by Mrs Hansen and Miss M. A. Hunter until her retirement in October last. Miss Hamlin replaced Miss Hunter and, until overtaken by illness, showed a great interest in the work of the home. It is expected that Miss Hamlin will be fully recovered in a short time and will be able to resume her duty. DONATIONS APPRECIATED. The financial burden during the year was somewhat lightened by donations of meat, eggs, butter and vegetables, continues the report. The annual appeal was held on March 30 and although last year’s total was not reached the response of £661 18/6 was encouraging. Details were as follow:—

The appeal at Dannevirke and Waipukurau was postponed until a later date, and it is expected the total will be substantially increased when results from those districts come to hand. The trustees wish to express their appreciation of the assistance rendered by so many people in connection with the annual appeal. The roll at present is 35 rnrls at the girls’ home, 35 children at the junior home and 30 boys at France House; total, 100. THANKS. During the year Mr G. A. Latham retired from the board of trustees and Mrs M. R. Grant from the house committee. Both Mrs Grant and Mr Latham have rendered invaluable services to the children’s home, and it is desired to place on record this tribute to their services. It will be the duty of subscribers at the annual meeting to elect three trustees. Messrs G. Rochfort, W. Dinwiddie and A. McGlashan retire in accordance with the regulations but, being eligible, offer themselves for reelection. It will be the duty of the subscribers also to elect the 12 members of the house committee.

In conclusion, the trustees wish to thank the subscribers and friends who have so generously sent donations and gifts to the home, and to express their appreciation of the financial support from the public, which enables them to carry on their work so successfully. The trustees also wish to thank the honorary surgeons (Drs. A. G. Clark, S. Secular and G. E. Waterworth), the honorary optician (Mr W. S. Hol'and), and the ladies’ committee for services loyally rendered. Messrs G. Hale Spencer and L. H. Theakstone and members of the Toe H for entertainment at the junior home. Miss Grant and Miss Pallot for conducting the Sunday School, the nurses of the school dental clinic, the Napier Hospital, officers of the Child Welfare Department for loan of a wireless set for Napier, and officers of that department for assistance during the year, the district collectors and the Press for their valuable services during the cast year.

£ s. d. Takapau .. • • .. .. 11 8 1 Hastings .. 112 16 8 Woodville .. • • .. .. 10 4 6 Napier .. 117 2 10 Country districts .. .. 24 17 11 Bemittanees to office .. .. 385 8 4