ST. STEPHEN'S ORPHAN HOME, PARNELL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 5441, 25 April 1879, Page 5

ST. STEPHEN'S ORPHAN HOME, PARNELL.

Tub anuual meeting of tho-,subscribers and friujide of. this institution was liuld at, the HbDielaat night,-r.hia Worship the .Mayor of Auckland iu tho chair. , ■ was a very la'ge attsn>i.aiice.,;u;Xhero wr,a■ present the excellent choir. o£- St.- Mary's Gnurch, undue.Mr.. Willinni-i, the organist, who rcudered:se,vei'al r gl« .a ; the children of the. Home ulso sang several songs in. unison .very sweetly. • ~., i ;• fjetfcun) of apology were received from the Bishop of Auckland, the Jl-jv. Mr. Bret-, the Rev. -3jr. Xomljnann, Mr. F. Larkins, and .-these. : - ' His Worship the Mayor, iu opening the proceedings, said : L • assure you it is a very great to me to preside at the annual meeting of such an excellent institution as tbiß; in. To my. mind there aro few ch.-iuuelsi to which tho practical efforts of tho bcnx-.t-oleiit can be directed niore in conthe genius of Chii-stianity, than in baring for the futberles?, thu destitute, and tile, orphiiu.. Tlie iutlueuces of sn inatitution.'like thja, if eflicieDtly conducted, aro widespread—their ramifications are inuumerable, and .the bquelits consequent upon them incalculable. Jlany a child but for the bonelits of tbis JJouie would probably havr f;rown up uncared for, without guido or coqiiHtl, and in course of time fallen perhaps into evil courses. He. or she wuulcl have become contaminated by contact with evil associates. But I see the children here tire brought up in cooifort, cleanliness, audin the kuowlcdgo and love of what is good. Thoy arc instructed to do right, aud prepared to becomo good nnd useful citizens. Such an institution to eulist the nyblest personal efforts in its behalf, j\ud also deserves amplo monetary support, t was exceedingly gratilied to hear that this institution ia iucreasinf, , in usefulness. 1 hope it will go on increasing iho efforts it puts forth to do good, aud preserve to society those who, above all otheis, neud the help of those who are able to K'V'i assistance. (Applause.) Tho Hoxokakv Secketary (Mr. 6. I'. Pierce) read tho report for the year. In presenting their nineteenth nnnu.il report, the Board of Management of tho Orphan Home would cull the attention of subscribers aud friends to the following particulars : — At the commencement of the current year therojwuro iu tho Home 53 children. Of those, 7 have been rornovod by their friends. There have admitted since 21" children, viz., 1C boys iin(lsgirls. , ' The Board regret to state that three deaths have occurred since they presented their last report, viz., one from consumption and two from accidents. The Board is satisfied that in neither case did tho accidtmts happen through any negligence on the part of the employees of the institution. Thero are :it proseut Of children in tho Home—a larger number than have bi.en thero at any one timo since its establishment. Tho Board has much pleasure in reporting that one of the inmates—Harry Poulson—has gained one of the Bishop's prizes given to Sun-day-schools. Out of 30 prizes awarded, he obtained the 15th. The total income for tlio year amounts to £1002 11s, and the total expenditure to £1092 15s OcJ. It has boon necessary to spend a largo amount thin year upon the repair of and painting the building, thereby making a serious inroad upon the finances of tho Kome, a fact -which, the Board trust will be bori.e in mind by subscribers when called upon by collectors, and more ospecially as no collection was made last year in behalf of the institution in the large and important parish of St. Matthew's.

The general health of the inmates has been good j whooping cough, however, made its appearance, and there are at present ten children suffering from it, but it is to be hoped that, with care and attention, they may soon recover. . The thanks of the Board are due and are hereby tendered to the S.P.C.K. for a donation of books to the Home, as also to tho Rev. J. Bates for conducting the aiinual examination of the children, of whose progress and proficiency he reports very favourably. Blrs. Cameron, the matron, and Mrs. Scarlett, the' governess, continue to give satisfaction in. their respective situations, and the Board has again to thank Dr. Goldsbro' for hi 3 gratuitous services. To the lady collectors, and to all who have contributed towards tho support of the Hnme, the Board desires to express its acknowledgments; to Mrs. Judd, tho indefatigable superintendent of the clothing, especial thanks are due, for by her assistance and good management a great saving ia made in her department. Id ' conclusion, the Board of Management, whilst taking courage- from the experience of the past, earnestly solicit the continued support of the people, of Auckland for an institution whose sphere of usefulness seems to be increasing every year. To the work which is being done kt the Home, the wonls of the great Apostle seem to them to be at the present time not inapplicable : " Let us not bo weary in well doing; for in duo season we shall reap, if we faiut not. As we have, therefore, opportuuity, let us do good to all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith."—Gal., vi., 9 and 10. Mr. Rawlixgs, tho Honorary Treasurer, read the balance-sheet. The Ven. Archdeacon , Macxsell moved the adoption of the report. : Mr. K. C. Dvkr seconded the resolution, which was carried unanimously. The Mayor of Paknell moved, " That the meeting acknowledges with thankfulness the support which the institution has received during the past year, and trusts that the subscribers to the Home will advocate its mauy claims fo support among euch of their friends as do not at present contribute to tho funds of the institution." Mr. Wilcocks seconded the resolution, which was carried unanimously. The Rev. C. M. Xelsos moved, " That the thanks of this meeting be given to tho ladies in tho various parishes and districts for their valuable aorvices in obtaining subscriptions for the maintenance of the Home ; also to thoso lii'lie-i who have assisted in making tho clothing for tho children." Mr. Barton Ireland secouded the resolution, and commended to the attention of the subscribers the benefits conferred on the institution by Mrs. Judd. The resolution was carried unanimously. Mr. K. Walker moved, "That the thanks of the subscribers and friends of the institution are duo and are hereby tendered to the matron and schoolmistress, aud to the ladies who have assisted iu the instruction of the school." Captain Thomas seconded tho resolution, which was carried unanimously. -Mr. Moss, M.H.R., moved, "That tho thanks oi the meeting bo given to the hon. medical ollicer (Dr. G.'ldsboro'), to tho hou. secretary ( •Iγ. G. P. Pierce), and to the hon. treasurer (Air. Kawlings), for their services during the past year." The Rev. Mr. Biggs seconded the resolution, which was carried unanimously. Tho Rav. Mr. Bates moved the uext resolution,: "That the thanks of this meeting be given to Mr. J. Batger and Mr. Barton Ireland for th ir services as auditors during the past year, aud that they be requested to act for tho present year ia the same capacity." Captain Williams seconded tho resolution, which was carried unanimously. The Rev. Mr. Brady moved a vote of thanks to Mr. Williams, the organist, and the ladies and gentlemen of tho choir. Mr. Kawli.ngs seconded tha motion, which was carried unanimously. Mr. Hates brought up his roport as exiimiuer of the school, which showed a very satisfactory state of things as regarded tho education of the children. The oducation was sound far as it went; it came quito up to tho instruction received in the ordinary piiuiary schools. Tho prizes were noxt distributed to the childreu, as -follows: — Bishop's pr ; 3e, for Scriptural knowledge;, tjuliua VVipthrop, for attention, to .»iok children during the prevalence of sickness in tho school. Ordinary prizes : Charles Holmes, JanVee Watt.-, ,Jo-eph Parkiuson, Mary Evrjns, Caroline Wiuthrop, Martha Evans, Arthur.Kuiulall, Margaret, Corletb. Ladies' prices, for suwiug : Pcrpetua Wattoa. Fauuy NoTris, lOllcu Sc u'gio, Camcrou, Selina.tt'iuthiop. .'..-. 'Illia collection, realised M iOs-lOd. On the motion of the Hon. Keubktabv, a vbtb of thanks was passed, to tho chairman by acclamation. .■-.':■ Thu.Rov. Mr. XiiLriON' pronounced the beuleiliction, and the proceedings terminated.