REMUERA CHILDRENS' HOME.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 12819, 20 March 1905, Page 6

REMUERA CHILDRENS' HOME.

VISIT FROM LADY PLUNKET.

Ax "At Home" was held at the Children's Home, Remuera, on Saturday afternoon to celebrate the second anniversary of the institution in its present quarters. The building and grounds were prettily decorated for the occasion, but' the rain somewhat adversely influenced the attendance. Tea was served in a marquee on the lawn, and a small sale of work was held in the children's playroom, and a considerable amount of business was done.

Shortly after five o'clock Lady • Piunket, accompanied by tho Hon. Kathleen Pluuket, Miss And, and Captain Boscawen, lion. A.D.C., arrived at tno home. Her Ladyship had .specially broken her journey down from Kotorua in order to visit the home. She was received at the gates by the Mayor (Hon. E. Mitehel•son) and Messrs. P. M. Hay and •). W. Robinson, and conducted to the drawingroom, where Her Ladyship was introduced to the Ladies' Committee —Mesdames Giles (president), Howie, Nichol, Bullen, Morton, •Speed, Mclunes, .Jones, Hatchelor, Hay (lion, sec.), and Miss Carney (matron). After a brief conversation Lady Piunket made an inspection of the institution, with which she expressed herself delighted. She was also particularly impressed with «tie healthy appearance of the little ones. The children had lined up with flags of the Governor's' colours, chocolate and gold, and gave Her Ladyship a very hearty welcome as she entered the diuiugrooni and took her stand on the platform, accompanied by the Mayor. The Mayor stated that the "At Home" was held to celebrate the opening of the home two years ago. The institution was started in I'onsonby 11 or 12 years ago with two children. It. became necessary to move the home to Remuera two years ago. and the present building was opened by the Premier. The home was entirely undenominational, and took children from all denominations. The youngest child in the home was eight months and the eldest 15 years eld. JI a look round the home were "taken it would be seen that the children were well, hearty, and happy, and those in charge of them were deserving of very great credit. The people of Auckland owed a deep debt of gratitude to all those who had taken such kindly interest in the waifs and strays. It was very evident that the matron (Miss Carney) loved he. work, and that the children responded to her kindness. He was sure all present recognised the kindness of Lady Piunket, whom they would thank most heartily for coining to the home immediately after the long railway journey from Rotorua. He called for "three cheers for Lady Piunket," which the youngsters gave with warm enthusiasm. The children then .sang a hymn, "We are but Little Children Weak." They next recited psalm xxvii., and the pathos of the situation was. felt when they came to the j verse. " When my father and ray mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up," for some of the children have been abandoned by one or I>oth of their parents, and others have become fatherless or motherless.

Lady Plunket, who carried a beautiful bouquet of chocolate and gold flowers, handed to her by one of the little girls in the home, then addressed the gathering. She told the children how very glad she was to be present with them on the occasion of the anniversary of the home. She was delighted to see the children looking so well and so happy. She found the home to be the largest and best-ventilated that she had ever seen in the colony. One could not lay too much stress upon the care for little ones in such circumstances as the children of the home. It was a real pleasure to her to fee what great sympathy was shown by those carrying on the home. She understood that there was a debt of £30 upon the liome, and that, to clear this off it was intended to hold a sale of work. She sincerely hoped that this would be done, and more, that, the promoters would raise a good sum over and above the money required to wipe off the debt, and have a substantial balance in hand. (Applause.) The work of tho home, she said, was one deserving of the warmest commendation. The. orchestra then played the National Anthem, and Lady Plunket and party left the home, being escorted to the gates by the Mayor and the trustees, Messrs. Hay and Robinson. In the evening the children gave a. cantata, "Soot and the Fairies, ' which they performed with very great credit. This will likely be repeated at St. Luke's Schoolroom, Remuera.