AIL SAINTS’ CHILDREN’S HOME.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIII, Issue 401, 19 May 1922, Page 7

AIL SAINTS’ CHILDREN’S HOME.

ANNUAL meeting of supporters,

The annual meeting of subscribers and supporters of All Saints’ Children’s Homo was held last night. The Rev. 11. G, Blackbnrne, chairman of the Board of 1 ontrol, presided and presented the annual report, which staled that, in spite of tno financial stress ihroughout the country, the board was pleased that people hud notforgotten the children, it had been a good year from every point, of view financially, and otherwise, and one of progress and development, notably in the matter of the establishment of the seaside house at Foxlon, which had proved of incalculable benefit, to the little ones. They wished to express their heartfelt gratitude to their good friends, Messrs Bock, Linklatcr, Bather and Holben, who, together with their matron,_ Mrs Spensley, thought out and carried into effect this great scheme. Financially it had been made possible by the cooperation of many friends in Fox ton, bedding, Marlon and outlying districts; by the untiring and successful efforts of Mrs Rear and all her many helpers in the “Mystic Mirror,” who had raised the large, smn ot £172 by flicit* hard work; and by work done for the home by Messrs Dawick, M atson, Hocking and a host of other kind friends too numerous to mention by name, to all of whom the board tendered its warmest thanks. In addition to this, great alterations had been made at the home in Palmerston North by means of which seven more children could be taken in. A concrete playground and tennis court had been made, which would be of great service, In the course of the year nine children had left the home, and the same number of new ones had been admitted, thirty - four being the full number at flic homo. The health of the children had been excellent on the whole. Unfortunately the matron had a serious illness and had to be away a considerable time, but she was now quite well again, they were thankful to say, as was also the assistant matron, Miss Coalman, who had been ill. The latter took charge during Mrs Spensley’s absence, and had since been appointed a member of the staff. At the last animal meeting Ibo membership of the board was very much enlarged, and the home had greatly benefited by the increased sympathy and practical interest shown by the new members. The ladies’ committee hud met regularly and had done good work. The board’s warmest thanks were due to Hr. Rett and Mr Williams for airending to the health of (bo children; to Mr Wither (lion, legal adviser); Mr Penny (auditor); and to Messrs Ashworth and Thwaites and the Kairanga Aleut Co., as well as fo many farmers, for gifts of moat; to Mr Wagborn for many improvements (o the homo; lo Air Danahey for a “benefit” night of (he pictures; to Air Moore for unremitting care for (he home and excellent work as box secrelary: and to numberless kind friends who had sent subscriptions and gills or clone services to the home. During the past- year the board had linked up with the Social Service Board of the diocese, which existed chiefly for the purpose of propaganda- work, and iho board was grateful for the help it had already received from the Social Service Board through that excellent publication Active Service. It. was with feelings of deep thankfulness for God’s blessing upon their work iu the past year, and with expectation of still greater progress, that they entered upon another year’s work on behalf of the “lambs” of Christ’s flock. The treasurer, Mr A. Skorman, Vailed the items of Iho balance-sheet, widen showed that the assets were valued at £1682 8s 4cl. while the liabilities were £222 15s 2d. Speaking of the annual report, the Rev. Blackbnrne regretted that omission had been made of the good work done for tins home by Miss Owt-ram, Sisters Mac-lean and Elliott and others, and on his motion a very hearty vote of thanks was accorded these helpers. The annual report and balance-sheet were then adopied. A vote of 'chunks to the treasurer (Mr Skorman) was carried bv acclamation.

The election of the board for iho ensuing year resulted: Messrs 11. Akers, Ik R. l>. Ilolhen, F. S. M. Hankin, Waghorn (vice-presidents) and Messrs S. M. Moore, Owtra-m, 0. Monrad, Lewis, Kissling, S. R. Lancaster, I). Pringle, 11. G. Bagnall, Rev. W. M. Walton and A. Skerman (the latter being secretary and treasurer). The following were elected to the ladies’ committee: Mcsclames L. Abraham (secretary), lilaekburno. Monrad, Campbell, Akers, Bagnall and Mansford.

Ir Blackburne congratulated all on (be very successful year, it being the most prosperous in (be history of the. borne and they could all look forward loan even heller year if all did their little to help the children. The vicar said it; was surprising how really few knew of ,the extensive welfare operations of the Anglican Church and the number of children’s homos it mainrained, lie spoke feelingly of the. great work performed by the matron of (he borne, Mrs Spensley, and a motion expressing confidence in, and appreciation of her never-ceasing energy and kindness, was carried by acclamation, numerous parishioners testifying to her good work. A vote of thanks was passed to Mr W. T. Penny for his services as auditor during the past year and ho was unanimously reelected to that position. Votes of thanks to Mrs F. Kear for her splendid work in raising money for the home, and to Mr Blackburne concluded the meeting.