GREAT SOCIAL WORKER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18996, 18 April 1925, Page 7

GREAT SOCIAL WORKER.

DEATH OF MRS. HUTCHINSON. VALUED SERVICE TO WOMEN; EX-MATRON OF DOOR OF HOPE. A life of devoted service in the cause of humanity has closed with the death yes- ■ terday, at the age of 80/ of Mrs. Annie Alice Hutchinson, at the residence of Mrs. Cundall, Wright's Road, Point Chevalier. Mrs. Hutchinson was widely known in Australia, and later in Auckland for her untiring rescue work among women. That work she had closely at heart right up to, the time of her death. Only a week or two ago, when discussing with Adjutant Gordon, of the Salvation Army, the difficulties associated with social work, she ended by saying: " Still, carry on, Gordon; ib. is worth it all." The daughter of Mr. Meredith Rountree, Mrs. Hutchinson was born in Ireland in 1845. Her brother, the late Mr. S G. Rountree, was manager of the Auckland Savings Bank for a number of years. With her parents, Mrs. Hutchinson came to New Zealand in a sailing ship, and tho family settled in North Auckland, where Mr. Rountree engaged m farming. Mrs. Hutchinson was married iff lbtJO, at New Plymouth, her husband being Lieutenant Charles J. Hutchinson, of the Taranaki Military Forces. He was mentioned in " Defenders of New Zealand for his conspicuous bravery during the Maori War. There were no children. Mr. Hutchinson died about three years ago. Salvation Army Work. It was in connection with the Salvation Army that Mrs. Hutchinson began her social work. In the early eighties she left for Australia, there entered whole-heartedly into all that tended the uplift of young girls and women. In both Brisbane and Melbourne she gave yeoman service in gaol and rescue work, and in other channels, whore her strong personality and sympathetic qualities were of the greatest value. Not without reason was she described as a God-fearing, earnest and indefatigable worker. As indicating the high esteem ra which she was held in Melbourne, she was given a testimonial signed by practically the whole of the police force, thanking her for her assistance and her work generally. She also had testimonials from Sir Samuel Griffiths, Chief Justice for Queensland, and others connected with judicial departments in Australia. ~ , Mrs. Hutchinson returned to Auckland in 1904, Bind was appointed to the position of matron of the Door of Hope, in Cook Street. For about 10 years she ruled over the destinies of that helptui organisation, doing a vast amount of exceSefit work among women and babies. Then, with advancing years and failing health, she was forced to resign the mstronship, and l the last decade of her iue has been peacefully spent in retirement. A Colleague's Tribute. Adjutant Gordon, when speaking yesterday of her long association with Mrs. Hutchinson, paid a high tribute to the way in which the deceased lady had unceasingly striven to help those girls and women who, through misfortune, were sorely in need of a kindly word and helpin e hand. It was as a cadet in Melbourne that Adjutant Gordon firit came in touch with Mrs. Hutchinson, and they worked together in the Salvation Army's Police Court operations in Melbourne. When Adjutant Gordon was transferred to Auckland about 15 years ago, she found her old friend then serving as matron of the Door of Hope. Speaking of those days, Adjutant Gordon referred to their Police Court efforts, and said that at night Mrs. Hutchinson and herself used engage in sofiial work in the city. "No words of mine can tell what a wonderfiul gocfial worker Mrs. Hutchinson was," said Adjutant Gordon. "She never spared herself if only she could benefit some unfortunate girl or woman." A phase pf effort to which Mrs. Hutchinson gave herself at the Door of Hope was in the "babies' department." Here were taken in sick little ones, and the babies of mothers who were in hospital. For a long spell of years Mrs. Hutchinson was a constant worker in Auckland Police Court cases, and in a letter the late Mr. C. C. Kettle, S.M., spoke of her. 1 "untiring efforts arid help cheerfully given to raise the fallen and help those who were friendless or in distress." The funeral will leave Wright's Road, Point Chevalier, at 1.45 p.m. to-day for O'Neill's Point Cemetery, where the body will be interred in the grave in which Mr. Hutchinson was buried. The body will be taken across the harbour by the Devonport ferry at 2.30 p.m., and the service will be conducted by the Rev. A. S. Wilson, minister of the Grange Road Baptist Church.