THE CRY OF THE CHILDREN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 12070, 13 September 1902, Page 5 (Supplement)

THE CRY OF THE CHILDREN.

[BY E.IT.IX]

. Wanted—Someone to adopt u Healthy Kaby «oy. THESE words, or some siuilar, meet lie ye at a first glance down the advertisement columns of almost, my daily paper. One wonders if many persons pause to meditate upon their significance or care to pierce the veil with which our, in some respects, artificial civilisation fain would cover unsightly blots upon our fairest surfaces. The

maternal instinct is so strong, BO much an

irresistible force taking possession of body jjjd mind, one. wonders what power can ie so much stronger as to overcome Nature's

overwhelming dictates and cause the bewildered human being distractedly to turn to any resource to rid itself of the pressing obligation Nature has imposed. A recent B.A. picture expresses this distraction with melancholy force and reality, depicting the unfortunate Hetty Sorrel fleeing from the wood where she has left lfcr infant., heedless 0 f its cries. The wilder beautiful young mother, herself but a child, with both hands * pressed to her ears, vide distracted eyes, flying hair, and disordered raiment, seeks to escape anywhereanywhere from the agonising sounds which she believes herself unable to relieve and still. It is a sad and awful story, as realistic now as when George Eliot penned her tale, real at any age where the fear of man has proved stronger than the fear of God or the voice of God iu Nature. It seems, however, somewhat, stiangethat, in a country where the cry against a decreasing population is perpetually heatd, so little notice should be taken of the significance of these advertisements. They read almost like a trailic in human flesh and blood ; one js apt to wonder whether there mav nut be some form of legalised slave traffic beneath this ugly surface, especially when one reads of premiums paid, or sees, perhaps, advertisements for children of several years of age. It is to be feared that the whole subject covers a very large amount of suffering ami neglect. It would appear wise in a country suffering for the want of population to guard more carefully the little lives which, without their own volition. have entered upon life's battlefield and must run their course, short or long, for good or ill, according to the treatment they receive. Let us consider some of the. provision made lor them. The Infants' Life Protection Act provides that every child under four years of age, boarded out, is subject to police inspection and inquest in case ot death. Anv person taking such child must have a license'. Under the Act, as I understand, the State provides no funds for the maintenance of the child, but simply insists upon some recognised owner accounting for it in case of Heath or removal; funds for its support have to be extracted from the unwilling parent or from the charitable, public. The Charitable Aid Board in certain cases pays from 4s to 5s per week tor tire maintenance of some children.

Several institutions exist in Auckland for the reception of neglected and destitute children, and which should lie prominent among these is the Children's Home, in AyrStreet, Parnell, tinder the auspices of the Mission of the Good" Shepherd, worked bv Sister Cecil, and founded in 1393 by the late Mrs. Cowie. This home was opened to cope with the difficulties referred to above, and to receive homeless children, too young to he admitted into the Orphan Home, even if otherwise eligible. Mrs. Cowie continued lip to quite recently to take an active interest in the institution which her courage and sagacity had originated. When able she was frequently wheeled in her chair to visit the Home and encourage both children and workers with her personal supervision. She is now greatly missed, as her active interest drew attention to the needs of the Home, which was removed last year from Brighton Road. Parnell, to the old Grammar School remises, and formally opened by the late bishop. Both house and grounds prove very suitable to the purpose to which they are How adapted. It is indeed keenly interesting, melancholy, vet cheering to visit this institution and to see the large number of now healthy, happy children, many of them rescued from untold neglect and misery. They toddle with bright, confiding faces to meet the visitor. the older children carefully guarding the younger, and all under stiilled and loving care developing, morally, mentally, and physically. To see them is sufficient answer to the pessimistic ideas current about such children. Gentle, orderly, loving, civilised, the development of character is plainly to be read.

Let us inquire the history of some of these bright, attractive little folk, these prettv -baby toddlers, and careful, thoughtful little girls and boys. To do so is to shudder at the darker side of life. Those tines rosyfaced, smiling children were brought in "a year or two back in an indescribable condition of neglect and filth. The truth ought to be told, but it may not— no, the dark tale may only be whispered in secret. See them now. By God's providence a miracle has been worked; the horror is best forgotten. Here is Jumbo—-jolly, little, fat, rosy Jumboone of the pets of the establishment. Sister has worried greatly over Jumbo. Nothing has been paid for him since last October. Difficulties thick arising she took him to the police station to give him up. She had not the heart; she could not part with him, so took him home again, and Jumbo to this day shares pot-luck with the rest. Some charitable lady paid £2 towards his keep. Here is Violet—bright, sweetfaced Violet. Her mother is proved unfit to take charge of her, and her father pays 4fl per week for her support. Here are the little Browns. Their father, being a widower, left the district, and gave the children in charge of a woman, who neglected them. When they came to the institution one ragged, filthy garment each, which had to be immediately burned, constituted their -wardrobe, and the institution was sorely taxed for the moment to find garments that would fit the three. We will not attempt to describe their condition when they came, but now they are a picture of health and happiness. Here is a little family just arrived. All is bustle and interest providing for them—aged five, three, and two years respectively. They are'in a terrible state of neglect. Their mother has deserted them and left the place, having found a new mate, and their lather in desperation has consigned then- to the Hume. He can pay something weekly for two of them: the third is taken free. Poor lit! human beings ! We will look forward to what care and love can do for them. The staff is sorely grieved just now over the position of the Robinsons. the support which has hitherto been given them being likely to be withdrawn there seems nothing for it but to return them to the care of a delicate mother, their sole. provider, -who, if she goes out to work for them, must leave these helpless little girls alone all day to take care of themselves and their little brother.

_ One of the beautiful features of the institution is be preservation of family life and .ties, in so many instances several destitute children belonging to one family being frequently received. It is especially beautiful in the case of the Robinsons to see tire devotion of the elder little girl of ten to the delicate litttle brother of five, who really needs the attention of a skilled nurse, and to the baby. Sister grieves greatly over the prospect of possibly being obliged to abandon this little family, and fears that the squalid We in one room, the only possible prospect Wore them, may spoil all that she has done for them by care arid training. She could *eep them with a very little assistance, and suggests several kind people paying a fewpence weekly each for their support. The institution lives principally by faith, some parents undertaking to pay a trifle "weekly ; for a few the Charitable Aid Board pays a small sum. Many kind friends send contributions in food, clothing, or, rarely, ip money. Yet all accounts are paid weekly. ■Nothing is owing. There is no money for salaries. For the services of Dr. Swale deep gratitude is expressed, lie attending as a Matter of pure charity as often as thrice a day in troublous times. Often the last shilling is reached when a timely subscription or donation relieves the situation, and So the work of love continues. Many ladies la the district make it their pleasure and duty to assist iu any way 'possible to them the useful work done. This home for neglected and destitute children is open to those 9* all denominations. The present inmates range from two months to twelve years of *ge. Archdeacon Calder is the chaplain. For the funds of the Parnell Children's Home a sale of work is to be held on Saturday, September 27. Many little articles nave been made by the older children, as a

ffffi *1 -° tLeir own support and by I mentis, :\ nd ,t is hoped that other friend I ieat tins may also .send contributions at needlework, useful articles, etc., and also ! •wend, so as to make the affair a success, i and show an interest iu the work of the in- ! stitution. .One wishes the busy workers ] every- success in their useful and charitable I undertaking. Although verv unwilling to ! press- unduly the claims of'the institution the workers will gladly and thankfully re- I cone contributions of any kind which' per- I sons may feel moved to offer !