PEACE MEMORIAL HOME.

New Zealand Herald, 23 May 1921, Page 5

PEACE MEMORIAL HOME.

PRESBYTERIAN BOYS.

OPENING AT ONEHUNGA.

VALUE OP THE INSTITUTION The Presbyterian Peace Memorial Boyj Home in Mount Smart Road, Oneiranga was formally opened by Sir Frederic! Lang, Speaker of the House of Represents tives, and MP. for the district, on Satui day afternoon, m the presence of a larg gathering and under ideal weather cor ditions. The Rev. J. Pattison, moderate of the Auckland Presbytery, presided. , The Mayor,of Onehunga, Mr. J. Part extended a cordial welcome to the Re\ P. R. and Mrs. Jeffries, and to the boys He said the Borough Council was negt tiating for the purchase of 15 acres c land adjoining the home on the eastern boundary, and if it were secured, there would always be a clear space for the boys' playground and sports. Sir Frederick Lang said it was an excellent idea to erect a boys' home as a peace memorial. Some people could not take care of themselves and had to be helped. The aged and infirm poor were provided with a pension. . Provision was made for the afflicted and inefficient, and deservedly so. To save a child meant to save a life and to make a worthy citizen who should be able to help others.

He spoke of the excellent qualities possessed, by Mr. and Mrs. Jeffries, who would guarantee the training of the boys if the people provided the means to accommodate them. Sir Frederick then declared the home open. The Rev. F. R. Jeffries said the home

was not ornate, but was a " homelyhome." The visitors would find no.evi-j dence there of institutionalism. There were 50 boys, in residence, and owing «to lack of funds he; had been ; compelled to \ refuse admission to as manyjinore. There was a debt of £3800-on this and other similar institutions belonging to the Presbyterian Church in the Auckland district. This debt ought to be paid oft and so relieve, those in, charge, from" financial worry. Every orphanage in New Zealand was languishing for want of funds. He appealed, to those present to subscribe not less than £1000. He had received that afternoon two donations of £100 each. Miss Dempsey, representing the Young Women's Bible Classes, and Mr. R: L. Stewart, of the Management Committee, also addressed the gathering, commending the cause of the boys to the sympathetic support of the people. Theceremony concluded 1 with the singing of the National Anthem, after which the visitors' inspected the home and its appointments, and :. were served with.refreshments by the boys. A. collection in aid of the funds produced £fs6. The home is 'a wooden building containing 10 large rooms, with dormitory containing 31 beds,on the westerji side, connected with a covered way. A small dormitory ~in the main building accommodates about a dozen boys. It is in the general sitting-room where the real home life is found, and many happy hours are spent there -by the boys. Adjoining is the dining-room. An ample supply of hot water is, obtained by means of an apparatus invented by Mr. Jeffries, and designed to burn rubbish. The home ;is situated on ID acres of land, favourably situated. All the boys, who appear to be healthy and happy, attend the Te Papapa public school.