CHRISTCHURCH ORPHANAGE.

Lyttelton Times, Issue 1510, 14 October 1865, Page 5

CHRISTCHURCH ORPHANAGE.

A meeting of the subscribers to this institution was held at the Orphanage on Oct. 4, at 4.30 p.m.

The following gentlemen were present: — The Lord Bishop of Christchurch, the Yen. the Archdeacon of Christchurch, Rev. B. W. Dudley, Mr. Ayers, and others.

The Bishop occupied the chair. Mr. Stanley, the secretary, read the annual report. From this document it appears that the Ladies' Committee has laboured most zealously in promoting the interests of the Asylum, and that great thanks are due to them for their kindly exertions ; their attendance has been unremitting, and their labours most assiduous. Several important changes have taken place during the past yeiyr in the management of the institution. Mr. T. L. Stanley was appointed, in January last, to fill the combined offices of secretary and schoolmaster; much advantage in many ways has been found to result from his residence in the Asylum, and the children have made rapid and satisfactory progress under his tuition. The present matron, Mrs. Hillier, was appointed at the beginning of February last, and has discharged her difficult and responsible duties to the perfect satisfaction of the committee, who direct the attention of the subscribers to several improvements which have been made in and about the asylum, which they considered indispensable, but 1 have rendered the expenses of the past year heavier than those for the future. The number of children who have gone out of the asylum during the past year is seven, viz., four boys and three girls ; the number admitted has been thirty-four, viz., eighteen boys and sixteen girls ; the number at present in the asylum is twenty-seven, viz., fourteen boys and thirteen girls : of these, twenty-two are supported by the Government, and five by payments of parents and private subscriptions. Their ages vary from two to twelve years. Donations from several ladies and gentlemen are acknowledged by the retiring committee. These gifts are of every description, and have contributed greatly to the comfort or the enjoyment of the orphans. The committee also return their acknowledgments to Dr. Coward, for his unremitting kindness and attention to the children, he having attended them gratuitously on many occasions, and having taken the greatest possible care of them. The financial statement, which is as follows, was also read : — At the present date, there remains £54 19s 3d of last quarter's accounts, ending June 30. The whole expenses incurred during the quarter ending Sept. 30 amount to £253 10s Bd. Of this, £26 13s 6d is placed to the permanent improvement account; leaving £226 17s 2d, which is the actual cost for the maintenance of the children, of which £21 2s 6d has been already paid, leaving a debt of £232 8s 2d. The amount due from the Provincial Government is £147 8s 9d. When this is paid, the institution will be in debt £1.39 183 8d - The cost of the maintenance of each child per week was stated to be lis lid. The Yen. the Archdeacon explained the objects of the meeting. At the last meeting of the Diocesan Synod it was agreed that the management of the asylum should be placed in the hands of eight persons, four to be elected by the subscribers and four nominated by the Synod. The four former were Messrs. Gould, Beetham, Gordon and A port. The four latter were, the Ven. the Archdeacon of Christchurch, the Eev. G. Cotterell, Messrs. Davie and Hawkes. The number of children is less, because the Government had withdrawn some of those placed in the asylum by them JS? mothers still living. These children were placed by the Government partly under the care of their mothers, and partly of women whose husbands are at the West Coast, and whom the Government have undertaken to maintain. By this means twj objects have been, as it were, together. He rejoiced at the healthy and happy looks of the children, which was an evident proof that they were well attended to, and that every pains were taken to ensure their comfort and well-being. The report and statements were adopted. The following gentlemen were nominated as a committee, subject to their consent being obtained :-His Honor Mr. Justice Gresson, Messrs. Ayers, H. Brown, G ° rclo "> Anderson, R. Wilkin, W. D. Wood, and A. Blalciston. The thanks of the meeting were voted to the out-going members of the committee. There being no further business to be disposed of, the meeting broke up.

The following is Dr. Erin's report on the state of the inmates of the asylum, as addressed to the Provincial Secretary Ckristcburch Hospital, 20th May, 1800. Sir —I have tho honour to inform you that 1 SsS=£232Tsk which will be found far more satisfactory than at tho time when I mado my torinor report. Complete arrangements arc being made for tl o Complete, u a h but j nmst romav k that it would bo well to (ill up tho cess-pool under ono of tho water-closots, and to P rovl / 0 "°'}:P"T' floor Ono of the larger rooms on tho mound floor, used as a sehool-room, has been judiciously fitted *"Ai'ita.«• i» ol m t r llh iK:E l.avinj ontrnly 'I'-W:'"™'',. Tto "° Ck •tssrss» i»»« that » supply of mattresses will bo shortly pioVi to"™!o ot i. tho samo n. appondod to my T.eho.l i» now hold in tho in.t.tu-'"S-ino sorvioo i. liko wMO hold o«ry Saaday b, theßov.E. A. Lin|fU-d. and in In A CO r US fl ndl believe ?otn the appearance of SdSSrf.s i» paid to .bar health and comfort. H. H. Pbins, Eesident Surgeon. To tho Provincial Secretary.