WILLARD HOME

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 166, 15 June 1936, Page 2

WILLARD HOME

16TH ANNUAL REPORT. The 16th annual report of the Willard Children’s Home, which was presented at the meeting this afternoon, by the hon. secretary-treasurer of the hoard (Mrs E. Birdsall), read as follows : “The year under review has been a very full one for the executive, • as ways and means had to be discussed and later organised to obtain revenue for the general purposes of the home. As you aro aware, the amount of money required each year to keep the home financial ranges from £7OO to £BOO and this problem has to be faced. At the close of the last financial year, it was quite obvious that some method must be devised in order to acquire this sum—or at least a part of it— and this resulted in calling together tho advisory committee of gentlemen, to receive their advice as to the best way to deal with the problem. The outcome was that men’s and women’s organisations should he circularised for contributions in money and kind, and also individuals, with a view to securing more annual subscriptions. Tho response to this appealing letter proved very satisfactory, and .it is gratifying to record an increase of new subscribers ; also splendid assistance came from Women’s Institutes, men’s clubs and organisations of all descriptions throughout the Manawatu, and I have to thank Mr J. H. Stevens for his valuable assistance to me in drafting letters and supplying names and addresses of those likely to be interested in the work of caring for the needy children. We tender grateful thanks to all who came to our assistance, and it gives me great pleasure to report a year of progress. “We tender grateful thanks to our old subscribers who continue to support us and we are indebted to the T. E. Smith Trustees (Auckland) for a further grant of £2O, to the T. GMacarthy Trust for a donation of £25, and to the City Council for an increased subsidy of £2O. Instead of tho usual shop effort, a badge day was organised and with the assistance of the Mayoress (Mrs A. E. Mansford), together with other outside willing helpers, this proved a big success, resulting in a nett profit of £6O, enabling us to send the children away for their annual seaside holiday. Hero I feel it my duty to extend to our numerous supporters, and our staff, my most sincere congratulations upon the success which has been attained. Through the resignation of Mi-s Aitchison from the board of management, owing to her election to the Hospital Board, a change in the personnel of the committee occurred, and Mrs C. Purvis was nominated and duly elected to fill the vacancy. 1 wish to place on record the valuable service rendered to the home by Mrs Aitchison over a number of years, her resignation being accepted with regret. The board has appointed two associate members, Airs J. Pointon and Airs D. Watson, and these ladies render very valuable service to the home, in their own quiet way. The anniversary day function, just past was again a huge success and we return thanks to ono and all for the bountiful supply of gifts received, monetary and otherwise, and especially do we thank Air A. L. Westmoreland for the free printing of invitation leaflets. The sewing committee have not been as active as in previous years, owing to the fact that there has been a considerable falling off of goods which enabled them to hold frequent jumble sales. However, some good work has been done in making and repairing garments for the home, and these ladies are to be commended for their faithful service, The board desires to extend thanks to the uncles and aunts of the 2ZO Radio Club, and to Air J. V. Kyle, for their interest in collecting used stamps and silver paper lor the. benefit of the home, and also to individual collectors. This- in time will become a steady source of revenue.

“The monthly report of the matron has shown that the health of the children has been good throughout tlie year, and we have to thank Matron Anderson and Sub-Matron Miss Pearce for their continued good care and management of them. 'There have been 10 admissions and seven discharges during the year, the latter either received back by parents or placed out in employment. We continue to get good reports from the employers of our boys and girls placed out, which is very gratifying, lieports from the training college of our second eldest girl continue to be very satisfactory, and we hope ere long that she will be placed on the staff of permanent teachers. Again we have to acknowledge with grateful hearts the goodness of our many friends and the public generally, who contribute gilts of clothing, fruit, foodstuffs of all kinds, coal and firewood, and general produce, and thanks are due to the Press for the publishing of the gifts each month. The board tenders thanks to Palmerston Amusements, Ltd., the management of the State Theatre and to the Atamnvatu Competitions Society for free entertainments for the children and to All Saints’ Sunday School, and the W.C'.T.U. Cradle ltoll superintendent for picnics. Thanks are most heartily expressed to the donors who provided Christmas cheer for the children, and to those who supplied free motor transport to and from the railway station, and to Messrs Child Bros, for the free carting of luggage. Again we tender thanks to Dr. E. C. Barnett for his continued care of the children’s health, to Dr. Hooper and Mr W. B. Tennent for tree dental service. Thanks are due to Messrs Innes and Oakley and Mr M. H. Oram for legal assistance, to Miss Bryce lor keeping the lodgers, to Mr C. b. •simoner. custodian of old records, and Mr R. E. Small for free typing of report and balance sheet. Our honorary auditor (Mr H. Findlay Wilson) is deserving of the greatest praise lor the great amount of work he has accomplished, and the unselfish manner in which he has at all times assisted me over the past sixteen years, with his knowledge and advice, and to him the board’s sincere thanks are extended. Again we express our gratitude to those who respond so generously to our annual appeal for eggs for preserving, the schools especially being so energetic on our behalf. To our numerous supporters, far and near, church harvest festivals, and socials, ladies’ guilds, Masonic Lodges, the Otago Club, the Agricultural and Pastoral Association, Women’s Institutes, local meat vendors, and the Business Girls’ Club, we extend thanks for their warm support and generosity in sending in beautiful food and produce. This not only adds variety to the children’s diet, but is eloquent of the kind thoughts of friends who think of our children, and also saves the funds of the home to the extent of many pounds. | “In conclusion, I want to pay a tribute to the president (Mrs Collins) and to the members of the board for their 1 loyal co-operation in tall efforts organised to raise funds, and to the advisory committee of gentlemen who are ever readv to assist when called upon. We acknowledge with thankful hearts the goodness of God over the past year, and we go forward with assurance and faith that in the coming .year, by His grace, our every need will be supplied.”