CHILDREN'S HOMES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 17844, 27 July 1921, Page 9

CHILDREN'S HOMES.

MANUREWA INSTITUTION. LAST YEARS OPERATIONS. 'THE FINANCIAL POSITION. The report of the trustees of the Manurewa Children's Home, issued yesterday to subscribers to the funds of the" institution, states that there were 68 boys and girls in the home when the financial year closed in April. At the beginning of the year there were 75 children, and eight were admitted during the period, while 15 were removed. Seven boys and three girls were now occupying situations. While the home was now free of any sickness, the year had been a trying one, the intnates having suffered from every epidemic of children's complaints that had been prevalent. The erection of an isolation ward had been under consideration by the board for years, and a considerable amount of money had been subscribed for the purpose, but owing to many circumstances and disabilities the work had never been started. The matron had recently been on a visit to Europe, and had found that the arrangements at the homes she had visited were either similar to those at Manurewa, or th» system adopted was far too elaborate for adoption there. It was suggested that the position would best be met by the erection of a cottage containing suitable aaccommodation for the isolation of suspected cases of infectious sickness and for children suffering from any skin trouble, etc., with which the staff of the home could cope. The board had adopted this report, and hoped shortly to give practical effect to it. The water supply at the home had been« a source of trouble and anxiety for the last six and a-half years, but the board was hopeful that this matter had now been settled satisfactorily, a well having been sunk which provided from 1200 to 1500 gallons a day of good quality water. The drainage had also been improved by the laying of several hundreds of field tiles, and the home was joining with its neighbours in effecting stiil greater improvements. The financial report stated that while the income on general account, £2685 10s, constituted a record, expenditure had also exceeded any previous figures. This heavy expenditure was accounted for by one large amount, which would be non-recur-ring, £511 having been spent on grounds improvement and well sinking. By a gift of £500 received early in the year from Mr. W. H. George, the board had been .enabled to establish an endowment fund. This had already reached the sum of £1500. Through the instrumentality of the board, there had recently been formed an Auckland Orphan Homes' Association, which had for its objects the promotion of the best welfare of the children in the several institutions, the cpnsideration of any legislation bearing upon orphans and orphanages, the arrangement of conferences when required, and the discussion of any matters of interest remitted to the association by any of its constituent organisations.