ST. STEPHEN'S ORPHAN HOME, PARNELL.—ANNUAL MEETING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 6997, 21 April 1884, Page 3

ST. STEPHEN'S ORPHAN HOME, PARNELL.—ANNUAL MEETING.

ADDBESS BY THE GOVERNOR. Thi? annual meeting of the subscribers to the St. Stephen's Orphan Home, Parnell, was held on Saturday afternoon. There was a lair attendance of visitors, including the choir of All Saints', Ponsonby, who attended as a body, and during the proceedings rendered a nnmber of glees in a highly efficient mSnner. Prior to the opening of the meeting ■ a nnmbe? of the visitors were shown over the establishment. The cleanliness and order which prevailed were the subject of general comment and congratulation, while the healthy, bright, and cheerful appearance of the children was the best possible proof of the care and kindness which they received. On the arrival of His Excellency the Governor, with the Rev. W. H. H. Jervois and Mr. Pennefather (Private Secretary), they were received by His Lordship Bishop Cowie, Mr. G. P. Pierce, the Secretary, and Mr. Rawlings, Treasurer of the institution, and as they entered the schoolroom, in which the meeting' was held, the audience rose and the children of the Home sang ; the National Anthem. Amongst those present were the Bevs. C. M. Nelson, W. Tebbs, W." Calder, Percival, Hitchcock, Davis, and Walpole, and Mr. F. J. Moss, M. H.R. ASSCAL BEPORT.

The Secretary! Mr. G. P. Piebce, at the request of His Excellency, read the annual report as follows :—

Twenty-fourth Annual Kepert of the Managers of the St. Stephen's Orphan Home, .Parnell, being for the

year ending March 31st, 1884. '* < The Board of Management have again to congratulate the subscribers on the continued prosperity and usefulness of the Institution.

There are at the present time 61 children in the Home, viz., 46 18 girls; as against 64 children at the commencement of tho sessienal year. The largest number everin the Home'at one time was 67, in the year 1879. The past year' ranks next in urn ber. it will be noticed that the disproportion be tween the' two sexes not only contlnnes, but is materially increased since the last annual report. The accommodation for boys afforded by tne present building has lately been extended, and is now taxed to its utmost, regard being had to the proper separation of the sexes and the necessary hygienic regulations. Indeed, the Board for want of more room have lately been obliged in several cases to refuse admission to boys. This points to a necessary enlargement of the Home at an early date, if its usefulness is not to he crampod.

The ages of the children in tho Home range from 2 to 14 years, the preponderance being of children about 8 years of age. The following are the numbers furnished, from a recent return to the Government Department of Education, namely Children, 2 years and under 3 years of age, 4; 3 and under 4, 2; 4 and under 5, 5; 5 and under 7, 10; 7 and under 10, 20; 10 and under 13, 18; 13 and under 16, 5. Of these, S7 are scholars of the day school, all of whom receive instruction in reading, writing and arithmetic. Holy Scripture, geography, object lessons and vocal music, while 24 are taught English grammar and composition . and history, and 48 children, namely, 32 boys and 16 girls, are taught needlework. During the past year, 21 children have been ad* mitted into the Home, four being in the nomination of Government, making 19 children at present in the Home, towards whose maintenance Government contributes. Thjee children have, durlag the year, been placed at service, whilo seven have been removed by relatives.

One death has occurred in tho Home during the year, that of a yonng uhild who had been an Inmate of the Home for only a few months, and who no donbt at the time of its admission was suffering from the cerebral disease from which death ultimately resulted. The hoalth of the other children has been remarkably good.

The Income for the year amounts to £ , and the expenditure to £ , for particulars of which subscribers are referred to the Treasurer's statement of accounts. By comparing that statement with those of previous years, subscribers will find a serious falling off in the amount of subscriptions received during the past year, many ladieß who in former years have canvassed so very successfully on behalf of the Home having this year made .no effort whatever for its support. The Board regret teat euch should have been the case after the appeal made in last year's report to the friends of the institution not to diminish the liberal support hitherto given by them. This falling off no donbt hnu arisen from the supposition tbat the Board would be placed in ample funds from the bequest of the late Mr. Costley. But the fact is, as the Board anticipated, that the distribution of Mr. Costley's estate has not vet been effected, and even had it been bo, the Board consider that they can only deal with that bequest as an endowment for the institution. In consequence of this diminution in subscriptions the Board have had to obtain a temporary overdraft from the bank to meet present requirements. The Board have long felt the want of a room in which the children might play and amuse themselves in inclement weather. They, therefore, during the past year have erected, at a*VOst of £2-20, a new building, containing two large rooms, one set apart for this purpose and the other as a laundry drying room. This building has beon found a great acquisition to the Home, and is very much appreciated by the ohildren.

In August last the Board applied to the Diocesan General Trust Board for a grant of land on the northern boundary of the Oiphan Home ground. This has been-given for a term of 21 years at a nominal rent. The Board look forward to eventnally utilise this land, and at the same time extend the usefulness of the institution, by erecting permanent buildings in whioh to impart industrial training -to the children. •

The Board have much pleasure in teitlfying.to the very satisfactory and able manner In whioh the matron and governess, and their assistants,- have Serfoimed their duties during the past year. It has een very gratifying to the Board to flod their sentiments on this subject fully endorsed by the Inspector for the Department of Education (Mr. Pope) in his report to the head of that department. The following is an extract from the letter of the Secretary of the Department to the Secretary of your Board on the subject;—" Mr. Pope says that the school is.well supplied with .furniture and appliances, and the school-room is neat and tidy. The instruction given is of very good quality, aad the order and school tone are most satisfactory. The mistress is a valuable teaoher, and she deserves great credit for what she has done in the sohool. Mr. Pope is inclined to think, however, that she requires the assistance of a pupil teacher. The chiluren appear to be very healthy, and they all have a happy look on their faces tbat shows they are well and kindly treated. The matron has effected are ally surprising change since Mr. Pope's last visit. Everything is in flrat-olass order, and there is nothing whatever to find fault with. Iron bodsteads might be substituted for the* wood and canvas stretchers now in-use, to say nothing of cleanlineis and comfort; the present appliances do much to obscure the extreme neatness and tidiness that now really exist, and - to give visitors an inadequately favourable impression of the Institution." In accordance with tbe suggestion contained in that report, the Board have engaged the services of an assistant teacher to relieve the governess to a large extent of the charge of the younger children. Part of the new 1 building bas been utilised as a class-room for those children, so that a system of tuition better adapted to such young minds may be followed without distracting the attention of the eider scholars. The Board bare also substituted iron bedsteads for the stretchers, as recommended in Mr. Pope's report.

While the Board have so many reasons for congratulation in their review of the past year, they have, on the other hand, a painful duly to perform in recording the great loss the Institution has sustained by the death o( its lato honomrj medical officer, Dr. GoldsbroV Bis kindliness of heart and sympathy with those, in trouble or affliction—a sympathy not confined to mere words, but betring often a substantial form—had endeued him to a very large circle. As honorary medical officer of tie Home for years, and OCUJ of the Board of Management, hia zeal and attention has been unwearied, while his kind and gentle manner with his little orphan patients had won their hearts. Mis prompt and decisive action has prevented, undo? the Divine blessing, on more than one occasion, the spread of very, serious outbreaks of sickness in the Home. Well has he earned the comwondation of the Great Physician, his Divine Master, '* Inasmuch asyo have d 0139 it unto one of the least these, my brethren, ye have done it unto me." Mr. Binhard Coom, iI.R.C.S., England, having vary klnaTv offered his services as Dr. Goldsbro's successor, the iio.?rd have apnolnted him honorary medical officer of t.'io Institution. , To the lull/ canvassers, the clergy, who have organised and reporfod the results of tne canvass, ana the many kind friends who have speoially contributed during the past year to the snpport of the Home, or to the improvement or entortainment oi the children, the Board desire to tonder their very hearty thanks. They would especially refer to the Union S.S. Co., and Captain Cromarty, of the Penguin, lor the annual treat and trip to Motntapu ; to Mr. Crowther, for his annual supply gratuitously of conveyances for the children to and lrom the steamer; to the Devonport Steam Ferry Company, for their continuance of the free pass, for the children of the Home by their steamers: to the Eev. aM. Nelson and Mrs. Nelson, for the examination of the school; to Mrs. Reader Wood, for her usual treat and preseats to the children: to His Worship the Mayor oLAuckand, W. K. Waddel, Esq., for a large case ot toys for the children, at Christmas; and to Mr. Kaynes, for his a'mNial gift for the children's Christmas dinner. The Board, in conclusion, would express the hope that thff interest of the subscribers in the Home will not be allowed to abate, because of the munificent bequest lately made to the Institution. Such liberality would be but a qualified good were that to be tho case. The Board irast rather that tho generosity of the testator ruij be an incentive to still further liberality, so that the Institution may be made in time to vie in its ac3ommoda;ion and usefulness with, similar noble institutions in the mother country. "Be merciful after thy power If thou hast much, give plenteously: if tton hast little, do thy diligence gladly to glvoof that little; for so gatherest thou, thyself, a good reward In the day of necessity. — (Tobit iv.), The choir then sang the glee "Spring's Bright Glances." balanob-.HHEET/ : The Treasurer, Mr. Bawling read the financial statement, of which the following is nn abstract :—Dr. to balance, Ist April, 18S2, £694 5s lid ; subscriptions and donations', £257 9s 6d ; contribution' from Government, £172 Is Sd ; public trustee, £13; relatives ot children, £194 5s : St. Stephen's school trustees, £25 ; trustees of the late Mr. W. Morrin, £69 15s; interest on deposit, £34 9s; bequest of the late Mr. John Sauerbier {less duty), £480 lis 9d : total, £1941 Is lOd. The expenditure, including salaries and supplies . .was .£1321 18s 6d. The principal items are house furnishing, £144 8s 8d ; erecting new play room, etc., £220, improvements and repairs, £104 8s lOd. . The. present balance to credit is £619 3s 4d«-• The Masonio Orphan fund accounts were as follows 4ra Lodge orphan fund.: Receipts, ineluding balance of £120 from last year, £170 2s lid. Per contra; Balance due to Treasurer'from last year, £18 19s 8d ; clothing, school books,: etc., for orphan of a Mason,' £15 ; invested on mortgage, £120 ; in Savings Bank, £26 Is 3d. ! making- a total of ~£l7oJ2s 7d. : The: I Beta' Lodge (Hamilton) orphan fund To balance in Savings Bank, April 1, 18S3, £15 17s lid ; interest to December 31, 1883,

——a—at—a—na——cfc——airij' 15s; total, £16 12s lid. Per contra: By balance in Savings Bank, £16 12s lid. . MEDICAL OFFICER'S BEPOBT. • . The Secretary then read the report ~o£ the modic.il officer, Dr. Coom/from vhioh it appeared that the health of the children was very good generally, and it also contained certain suggestions. • N THE GOVKKNOR'S ADDRESS. • Sis Excellency, addressing the meeting, said : —Ladies and Gentlemen: X msy first say that j regret that 1 will havo to leave the meeting earlier than I should have "done, owing to another engagement. I regrefi not being able to attend all the meeting. I am Bare we all mnst be gratified with the report, ■which has just been read, and which ia . satisfactory in all respects except one—the falling off in the subscriptions la£t year, and on that point I shall have a few words to say .before I finish.' 1 ' cannot imagine an object which more worthily commends itself to as than that for which this institution was established, an object which most commend itself to all who are. interested in the welfare of their fellow, beings, and I would impress on all Auckland, and "on all in New Zealand to do all in their power to .maintain and increase the efficiency of this institution. Daring the period of its existence, 24 years, it has gone on steadily 'advancingin usefulness, in the nnmber of its members and its comforts generally. During the last year very considerable im» provements have bean effected. The build* ing which has been erected affords accommodation for a playroom for the children, and for other purposes, having another room and a room in the basement, and I may add, from my personal inspection and my knowledge of the building, that the money has been well laid out. The provision of iron bedsteads to replace the wooden . ones, and - other improvements effected mnst commend themselves to all who are interested in the well-being of the institution. I am glad to hear such a good report of the education of the children and . their studies. I may notice in passing that the boys have been taught needlework as well as the girls, and 1 am glad to hear that in these. days, when women's rights are so much talked of, that men's rights are cared for here, although teaching them needlework might be considered an Infringement of what has hitherto been considered the exclusive prerogative of the ladies. (Laughter.) It has been mentioned that the bequest of the late Mr. Costley is the cause of the annual subscriptions to the institution falling off. If that is the result generally of the bequests, I consider that it is the reverse of a benefit to the community, for I agree with the Secretary that bequests should be placed to tho capital account, and not be chargeable to ordinary expenditure, the object of bequests being to increase the building and accommodation of the institution, and to erect a fine building which, as time goes on, you will require for the accommodation of an increased number of children, and the subscriptions should therefore be maintained beyond the present rates. If I were to say to you what is in my mind as to the object of this meeting, I should say it was to get money to carry on the institution, and if 1 ware to make a speech I shonld say that we were met to-day to get all the money we conld, and I shall therefore say to you, " Put your hands in your,pockets and shell out." (Cheers.) That is the advicel give.to you here in Auckland, and to all in New Zealand interested in the work of this institution—that yon should shell oat, so that no more overdrafts may be required, but that I the institution may be carried on energetically and usefully to the satisfaction of all concerned in its welfare. (Cheers.) 1 now beg to call on the Lord Bishop of the diocese to move the first resolution.

His Lordship moved, "That the report and balance - sheet be adopted and printed." He expressed himself greatly pleased with the progress made, for the pro: gress was due to those who had undertaker the management—Archdeacon Lloyd, whose, portrait was over the door, arid their friend Mr. G. P. Pierce. He also felt grateful to the' matron and teacher for the great care and kindness shown to the children, and then interest in the welfare of the Home. His Excellency most not t.hinW for a moment that the Home was specially "put" into -first rate order for this occasion,- for he assured His Excellency that if he dropped in at any time he would find it in the name good order SB' to-day, and with all confidence thoy could . recommend it to the community. His Excellency must not think that the present attendance represented the interest which their people felt in the Home, for many of them, actuated by feelings of loyalty, had gone to wait on Lady Jervois. Mr. S. Percy Smith briefly seconded the resolution, and it was unanimously carried. The Rev. Mr. Tebbs moved, " That the thanks of this meeting be given to the lady collectors, and those ladies who had assisted in making clothing for the children." , ' Mr. J. B. Stoney seconded the motion,' which was carried. , The Be v. Mr. Nelson moved, "That a ' vote of thanks be accorded to the officers of the institution, to Messrs. Rawlings and Pierce, and to the Eev. W. Tebbs and* Mrs. Tebbs for their services in condncting the examination." Mr. it. Makis Clark seconded the resolution, and it was carried. - The Rev. Mr. Calder moved that the Board of Management for the ensuing year consist of Dr.- Coorn, Messrs. B. Ireland, 6. P. Pierce, M. Rawlings, R. Walker, and J. B. Stoney. Mr. Jeone seconded the motion, and made special reference to their indebtedness to Mr. Pierce. . The Ven. Archdeacon Clarke moved, " That the thanks of this meeting be accorded to Mr. J. Batger and Mr. J. M. Brigham for their services as auditors, and that they be requested to act in the same capacity during the ensuing year." Mr. Moss, M.H.R., seconded the motion, and it was carried. The choir then sang the glee, "Fays and Elves," and was loudly applauded. ■ His Excellency then called on the Bishop of Auckland to take the chair. He assnred those present that it afforded him great pleasure to take part in the proceedings of the meeting, and he regretted having to leave so soon. On the motion of His Lordship, a cordial vote of thanks was accorded to His Excellency for presiding. He then left the room, accompanied by the Rev. Mr. Jervois and Mr. Pennefather, and Bishop Cowie took the chair. _The choir sang the glee, ""Hymn of Fishermen's Children." examinee's report "and presentation of PRIZES. The report of the examiner, the Eev. W. Tebbs, who was assisted by Mrs. Tebbs, was read. It spoke in terms of the highest satisfaction of the system of education, and the.state of the school. His Lordship then presented the prizes consisting ef handsomely bound and appropriate books. It was a remarkable fact that three ,out of the four prizes awarded for needlework in the first class fell to boys. The choir sang the glee, " Here's to our next merry meeting." On the motion of the Rev. Mr. Walpole, a vote of thanks was accorded to His Lordship, and the meeting closed with the Doxology, in singing which all present joined.