WILLARD HOME

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 170, 19 June 1934, Page 9

WILLARD HOME

BOARD’S ANNUAL MEETING. Tho annual general meeting of tho Willard Home Board of Management was held in St. Andrew’s Hall, yesterday afternoon, when Mrs E. A. Collins presided over .a good attendance of membors, among thoso present being Messrs J. A. Nash, M.P., G. H. Benriett, J. A. McLeavey, and J. H. Stevens. There were apologies for absence from Messrs C. F. Spooner and T. R. Hodder. Prior to tho commencement of business afternoon tea was enjoyed by the meeting.

The report (submitted by Mrs E. A. Birdsall, secretary-treasurer) was as follows:—“Another year has passed and while high hopes were raised at its commencement for increase of prosperity it was soon realised that there was no improvement in economic'conditions. It is difficult under existing circumstances to he altogether optimistic and while these conditions remain they must aifect tho board financially. The work of raising funds becomes increasingly difficult, and nojv that the homo is entirely dependent upon voluntary contributions and has no help from W.C.T.U. branches as hitherto, tho board must turn its attention to considering special efforts to raise the current expenses for the coming year. Tho year under review will show that some of the capital has had to be drawn upon; but we have much to ho thankful for in that- we have again been able to meet all our obligations. During the year £79 Ids 3d was raised by special efforts, and 1 have to thank the committee of ladies who were responsible for the organising of these functions. Tho usual shop week effort was again a success, and sufficient money accrued therefrom to send tho children away for one month during the Christmas vacation. We express our thanks to all who sent in goods for sale and to Mr F. Bryant, for the free uso of a shop, also to Mr Patterson for the writing of signs for shop windows. Owing to an epidemic of measles in tho home, the anniversary day ceremony had to he postponed. An appeal lor gifts was made through the Press in connection with it, and wo desire to express our gratitude to those who supplied gifts in money and kind. The sewing committee, under the leadership of Mesdames Barnett, Lovelock and McDonald, have been active during the year, and through the efforts of this willing band of workers £lB 18s was raised by holding jumble sales each month. ' These ladies are to he commended for tlieir faithful service in tlfe interest of the children. The usual gifts of clothing have been received from local citizens and W.C.T.U. branches throughout the Dominion, and tho young people’s branches of the W.C.T.U. and Sunday schools again contributed towards the children’s holiday fund; and to all these organisations we return cordial thanks. The health of the children has been good, with the exception of the past two months when twelve of the children developed measles, hut all the sufferers are now convalescnt. I am sorry, too, to have to record that our president (Mrs Collins) has been in very indifferent health most of the year which necessitated her having to apply for leave of absence. I trust that from now on she will regain her normal health and be able to take up her usual activities. Only 17 children are in residence. There were five discharges during the year and one admission. Two girls have gone back to the mothers, two boys to the fathers and one boy placed out on a farm. We still retain' the services of Matron Anderson and Sub-Matron Pearce, and as in previous years their supervision has been excellent. Of the 20 inmates who found shelter in 1920, when the home was opened, several are now earning their own living, and the impress of their training is seen, in then 1 keenness to succeed and to bring credit upon those who cared for them in their early years of childhood. Great praise is due to Miss Anderson and Miss Pearce for their continued wholehearted love and sympathy in tho care of tho children under their charge, and for their capability in running the establishment so efficiently. Thanks are due to all annual subscribers, to women’s institutes, tradespeople, the county council and private individuals for monetary assistance, also to Mr and Mrs R. Tanner, of Ivarere, lor their anxiual contribution of the proceeds from tlieir fernery. We return thanks for the following gifts received

throughout the year: Manawatu Meat Co. and Mr Thwaites for meat; L.E.C. Bakery, Mr J. Ellis, Boniface Bros., Mr S. Clarke and Meadloy and Gardner for bread; to W. Cook and Sons, a Feilding friend, Mrs Stevens (Avvahuri) and a. local friend for firewood and coal; to the public generally for gifts of produce, etc., and thanks are due to the Press for the publishing of the gifts each month. The hoard tenders thanks to the Junior Red Cross Circle of Palmerston and Levin for clothing and helping to maintain one child to Palmerston Amusements, Ltd., Mrs E. J. Nathan, All Saints’ Sunday School, and Plunket Society queen carnival for outings and entertainments; to those who provided Christmas cheer for the children, and to the anonymous friends who supplied free motor transport to Foxton Beach, and tlm free carriage of parcels, etc., during the holidays. Again wo tender thanks to Dr E. C. Barnett for his continued care of tli# children’s health, and to Dr Hooper and Mr W. B. Tenncnt for free dental services; to Messrs Junes and Oakley and Mr M. H. Oram for legal assistance, Miss Bryce for keeping the

ledgers, Mr C. F. Sponner, custodian of old records, Mr R. E. Small for free typing of report and balance-sheet and Mr H. Findlay Wilson for auditing. Especially do we thank the numerous friends for their warm support and generosity in all objects connected with the welfare of the home. In conclusion I would like to thank the acting presidents for capably filling the office during the president’s incapacity; also the whole of the committee for their hearty co-operation throughout the year, also helpers and well-wishers all over the Dominion for assistance.”

Speaking to the report, Mrs Collins said the home had not felt the depression as much as others, and still had a little to come and go on, and they could depend on Divine assistance. She wished to thank the acting presidents for their work in her absence, and all who had helped in any way. The balance-sheet showed a debit balance on the year’s operations of £2Ol 5s lid. In a statement, the auditor (Mr H. Findlay Wilson) pointed out that the deficit was due to n marked reduction in the receipts during the period under survey. There a reduced expenditure, however, of £79. A drop in interest of £2O was recorded. The auditor again paid a tribute to the work of Mrs Birdsall.

Mr Nash, as patron of the board, said they ought to consider the times and the fact of depreciation being allowed in considering the balance-sheet. It was noticeable that when the income liad dropped there was to be considered the fact that no community sing was conducted as in the year previously. The committee and the secretary were to be commended on their very fine work. Mr McLeavey congratulated the board on the success of the year’s work and said that for any organisation to do as well was splendid. He paid a very warm tribute to the matron and sub-matron for their fine work with the children. Messrs Bennett and Stevens endorsed these remarks, the former stressing the character-building activities of the staff at the home, and Mr. Stevens the fact of the well-kept books and capable finance. Mrs Birdsall said it cost about £9OO a year to conduct the borne and possibly the advisory committee would be called in to advise on the course to be followed.

The election of officers resulted as follows:—President, Mrs E. A. Collins; vice-presidents, Mesdames T. R. Hodder, F. J. Nathan and Miss McLagan; secretary-treasurer, Mrs E. A. Birdsall (for the 15th year). Before the election, Mrs Hodder, acting as chairwoman, warmly welcomed Mrs Collins back to the board, saying her wisdom would surely prove of value. The board was then re-elected en bloc. At its prior meeting the resignation of Mrs A. Gibbs was received with great regret. The usual honorariums were granted the secretary and the auditor, and £1 was granted St. Andrew’s Deacons’ Court. The meeting passed a special vote of thanks to Miss Anderson and Miss Pearce for their fine work. At the prior meeting of the board the matron reported that the children had recovered from the measles.