DR BARNARDO’S HOMES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXX, Issue 14976, 23 April 1909, Page 5

DR BARNARDO’S HOMES.

ARRIVAL OF MR MAYERS AND MUSICAL BOYSTho Rev W. J. Mayers, representative of Dr Barnardo’s Homes, arrived in Christchurch yesterday, to make arrangements for meetings to be held in tho city Ho delivers lectures in connection with the work of tho institution, and some of the boys supply items on the' programmes, which are interesting and attractive. In the .south, crowded meetings have been held, and a great deal of assistance has been obtained for the object Mr Mayers has in view namely, tho erection of a new hospital in Dr Barnardo’s Girls’ Village Homes, which will stand as a tribute from Australia and New Zealand to the memory of the great founder of the institution. Tho sum of nearly £9OOO has been raised already, about £2OOO having been given by New Zealand. Mr Mayers wishes to obtain from each of the large centres in the dominion the proportionate cost of a, bed in the new hospital, amounting to £230. Invercargill has provided one, and Dunedin two beds. Air Mayers has been associated with the work for many years. His first meeting will bo held in His Majesty’s Theatre at 8.30 p.m. on Sunday, and it will be followed by two musical meetings, on Monday and Tuesday. He has brought ten boys with him Irons the Homes, and also their musical instructor, Mr H. Aaron. All the lads were received into tho Homes in the usual way, but, in addition, to the ordinary training, they have received special instruction in music. In 1892 Mr Mayers made a similar visit to the colonies, with the result that Australasia added about £IO,OOO to the funds of the Homes. They are now under the honorary charge of Air W. Baker, of the Chancery Board, who was associated with Dr Barnardo on the Council of ‘the institution for twenty years. Since Dr Barnardo’s

death, the work has not diminished in any way. There have been increases in " regard to both the funds and the numbers of the children, and now several new departments are contemplated. On his present visit Air Mayers has spent fourteen months in Australia and New Zealand. During that time, he has preached one hundred and thirty-five times on Sundays, and he has delivered 221 lectures on week-day evenings. Ho states that he is delighted with his reception in New Zealand, and his party have received marked courtesy and hospitality in all the places they have visited. Even in remote towns he has met persons who have helped the work for many years, and he believes that present visit will be quite as successful as his previous one. He says deputation to the people of Now Zealand is justified by the facts that Dr Barnardo’s Homes receive the support of representatives of all parties and denominations in the Old Country, and the Empire is benefited by the training given to the children. Some of the boys and girls have attained high positions in tho world, and one “old boy” is now a prominent Labour member of the Federal Parliament in Australia.