CHILDREN’S HOME

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVIII, Issue 284, 29 October 1928, Page 10

CHILDREN’S HOME

22nd BIRTHDAY FUNCTION

GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE URGED.

Although there aro no endowments to assist the funds, some £2OOO has already been collected towards the cost of rebuilding All Saints’ Children’s Home at Palmerston North. This was made known at the 22nd birthday celebrations on Saturday afternoon by Rev. Canon W. Fancourt, who stated that about £7OOO or £BOOO would be required to achieve the end they had in view. Plans had already been drawn up and submitted by a subcommittee.

Bereft of the parental love lavished so fondly upon their more fortunate brothers and sisters, there are in All Saints’ Children’s Home, at Palmerston North, some 36 children under a kindly matron, Mrs Wagstaff. If the plight of those young charges depending, owing to indigent circumstances, upon benevolent contributions, was fully realised by some who have grown accustomed to regard their welfare with indifference, it would cause them to cast aside their cloak of austerity for some altruistic motives. After all, the child is the fountain of the nation, and it behoves the i>ublic to loyally support the institutions which do so much for the children, the responsibility for whose training and care they assume. Good nature often lies dormant and it is a frailty of human nature to forget the ideals which prompt sympathy and beneficent actions. The true parental instinct must, however, have, been awakened in the hearts of all those who attended the annual birthday party of the lromo on Saturday afternoon. The children to whom the institution means comfort arid sympathy were gaily at play and infectious enthusiasm reigned over the prospect of the eagerly anticipated event. The warmth of good-feeling from well-wishers found adequate expression in handsome gifts. Substantial cash donations were received, including a cheque for £5, towards the building fund, while numerous useful presents were forwarded, especially by business firms, and a liberal supply of groceries, with bags of flour and sugar. The response was a very generous one indeed.

In welcoming the visitors to the twenty-second anniversary of the founding of the Home, Rev. Canon Fancourt expressed his pleasure at their attendance. He referred to the project in hand for the establishment of a new home, which would be an institution worthy, of the work to be carried on there. It was proposed that the building should incorporate four dormitories, a day-room, diningroom, nursery room and very modern kitchens, the whole to te able to accommodate about 60 children. SUBSTANTIAL BEQUESTS RECEIVED. .j

Tile beneficence of those who had made donations, some of a very substantial nature, was spoken of in warm terms of praise by Canon Fancourt who said that Mr Hugh Akers had promised to provide sufficient land in Pascoe Street for the proposed new home. Towards the contributions there had been a bequest of £SO by the late Mrs Jones, of Featherston Street, and an old parishioner of All Saints’ Church, while last year Mr D’Arcy Russell, of Kairanga, who died abroad, bequeathed £SOO for the same purpose. Through the agency of Mr A. E. Bennett, another £6OO had been forthcoming from a fund available in Auckland for distribution to kindred organisations, while under, the T. G. McCarthy Trust £2OO had been received. In addition to these generous contributions, subscriptions had come to hand from many local organisations, including the Rotary Club and Commercial Travellers* Association. As the result ing the Rotary Club and Commercial Travellers’ Association. As the result of the entertainment which they had arranged on behalf’of the home, the Misses Rush had handed in a cheque for £ll 0s 2d. The speaker landed the services of Mrs L. A. Abraham, Mr Martyn Abraham, Mr and Mrs Mansford, Mr A. Skernian and Mr H. G. Bagnall. He thanked the donors for the gifts they had bestowed and invited them to inspect the home. In extending lii.s heartiest felicitations for the occasion, the Mayor, Mr A. J. Graham, congratulated all concerned on the splendid achievements in connection with the work of the homo which should have the support of every citizen. He urged them to remember the home while they, lived, rather than to defer their generosity in the form of a lgacy, however acceptable that might be. From a small and modest begining 22 years ago, the work had expanded tremendously.

THE MAYOR’S SUGGESTION

“It is surprising to mo that a grant has not been made by the Government,” continued the Mayor, “as the home does serve to relievo the Staie of a considerable burden, which it would otherwise have to bear. It does seem to me that this and kindred institutions should be assisted in that respect, and it is appropriate at present to remind Parliamentary candidates of that aspect of the question. 1 am sure Mr Nash would do his best to secure a subsidy.” His Worship commented that not only was the congregation of Aft Saints’ interesting itself in spiritual welfare work, but it was also ministering to the temporal needs of the people, and heeding the plight of the little ones who, through misfortune, did not enjoy the comforts of their own homes. That was a work of Christian fellowship and lie urged the boys and girls to take full advantage of the opportunities provided for their proper upbringing and education. They wero receiving a good training at All Saints’ Home. “I hope,” he concluded, that the expectations with regard to the future will be fully realised, and that, at no distant date, I will have the pleasure of being present at the opening of the new home.” , . Mr J. A. Nash, M.P., returned his thanks for the invitation to be,present, and expressed his regret at being unable to attend the similar function held last year. It was deeply interesting to listen to tli© remarks which had been made and he thought that no matter how large a Home was built, it would not take long to fill it. vY ith the care bestowed it was not to be wondered that people in indigent circumstances were anxious to place their children there, in addition to orphans. The Government was doing everything possible for the children and in New Zealand no less than 55,000 were under medical surveillance. - The importance of guarding the interests of those who were in future to accent the country’s responsibilities was fully realised. Many social activities had .been embarked upon by the State, and their scope would be enlarged m the U The All Saints’ Children’s Home had a valuable adjunct in the Foxton institution, enabling the children to exchange homes in the summer and the town ones to enjoy the benefits of the seaside. The Foxton Harbour Board had been only too willing to provide the land for the home there. “It is well-known,” stated Mr Nash, “that the State is always prepared .to provide good homes, education and

training for orphan or destitute children, and if this home is not receiving consideration in the direction of pensions, tile matter needs investigating. If the department is approached, assistance with pensions might he arranged. I agree with tlio Mayor concerning a State subsidy for homes of this kind, and will advocate it. taking the tip which ho has given.” Mr Nash extended birthday greetings to all connected with the home. SOME SAD CASES. Tracing the activities of the home Mrs L. A. Abraham, who takes a keen interest in the welfare of the young inmates, said that applications for admissions had been dealt with from Hamilton. New Plymouth, Carterton, Karioi, Wellington (where the homes were full), Inglewood, Feilding, Otaki, Bulls, Levin, Bunnythorpe, Martinborough, Taihape, Apiti, Wanganui and Hutt. In addition, a number of children admitted to the Kliandallah institution as babies had been taken in hand when they reached three years of age. There were many sad cases, but there was only accommodation for 36 at Palmerston North and 26 at Foxton. In one instance a man, whose wife had died, was left with eight young children on his hands in a sawmilling district, and four of them were squeezed into the homes. Many applications of a deserving nature had to be declined, but, nevertheless. in admitting children every circumstance connected with the individual case was thoroughly investigated and the requests sifted out. When boys reached the age of 12 they were passed on to the Hutt, while after passing the proficiency examination, the girls were trained for domestic service until they were placed. There was no alternative but to enter a home for many unfortunate children. Rev. J. C. Abbott proposed a vote of thanks to the speakers and it was carried ryith acclamation. The visitors were subsequently entertained at afternoon tea. It may be added that, through the generosity of well-wishers, no meat hills have to be met by the home, while often cakes and fruit left over from various gatherings are forwarded for the children.