LAYING OF FOUNDATION STONE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 221, 14 August 1930, Page 2

LAYING OF FOUNDATION STONE.

ALL SAINTS’ CHILDREN’S HOME. BY THE BISHOP OF WELLINGTON. To-morrow, at .3 p.m., His Lordship the Bishop of Wellington will lay the foundation stone of the new All Saints’ Home in Pascal Street. The origin of the home is better explained in the founder’s own words, the Rev. C. C. Harper, who was for many years vicar of All Saints: “In 1906 I had undertaken to find a home for an orphan who had been in the hospital for a long while. As our homes in other parts of New Zealand were' full, the idea occurred tio me to ask the parish to provide one. The vestry immediately gave the project their support and proposed the calling of a meeting of church people. The meeting was not very well attended and a subscription list qf £ls was the outcome. Just then a suitable house came into the market, and with no more backing than this small subscription list, but with unlimited faith and enthusiasm, the first board bought the house.” As soon as the home was opened, and it began to fill with children, the people of Palmerston North gave generously and the home was soon completely paid for. This was twenty-four years ago, and the home that was then purchased was not a new one. To-morrow the foundation stone will be laid of a new permanent All Saints’ Children’s Home in brick. The site on which the home is being erected is the generous gift of Mr Hugh Akers. The actual building of the home will cost £5134 and in addition to this a considerable sum will be needed for furnishing. We are told that history repeats itself. A quarter of a century ago the vicar and board had the faith to go on without any hesitation with the good work of social service. To-day the present vicar and board have that same faith, and have every confidence that it will not be long before the debt will be greatly reduced, and finally wiped off by the generosity of the people of Palmerston North and tho .friends and supporters of this charitable work for tho orphan and tho destitute.