WELFARE OF ORPHANS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20869, 11 May 1931, Page 10

WELFARE OF ORPHANS.

THE PAPATOETOE HOME. WORK OF ANGLICAN CHURCH. Good work is being accomplished at the Church of England Orphan Home, Papatoetoe, where nearly 100 children arc being cared for. The report of tho board of management for the year ended March 31 last, to be presented at the annual meeting to-morrow, states that during the year the number of children increased steadily and (he homo was practically filled to its capacity. No more boys could be admitted until vacancies occurred, while there was accommodation for only a few more girls. At tho end of March there were 49 boys and 47 girls in the institution, compared with 46 boys and 45 girls a year earlier. The financial statement revealed a deficit of £204 on tho year's work. The total income was £4246, the main sources being:—lnterest, £1780; maintenance fees, £1461; subscriptions and donations, £291; and farm profit, £B4. Tho expenditure was £4450, the main items being:—Food, £1213; salaries, £931; clothing, £351; and repairs and maintenance of buildings, £269. The assets of the board include £36,441 in investments.

The larger number of children in the home, with a consequent increase in the staff, is stated by the report to have caused an increase in the total expenditure. The cost per head, however, showed a small decrease, which, it was hoped, would continue. Although the amountreceived in subscriptions and donations bad increased, fewer gifts of clothing had been made.

The question of admission to the home of children whose parents are both living had received consideration, says the report. A committee, consisting of delegates from the Orphan Homo Trust Board and from Ihe various homes of the Church of England and other denominations, had been set up to go fully into tho question with Ibe object of bringing forward a uniform policy in dealing with these applications and to ensure that, while the welfare of tho children received due consideration, Ihe homes were not used as a means of facilitating the separation, of parents. Reference is made to the splendid services of Dr. J. J. Valentino, honorary medical officer to (ho home. Tho children had enjoyed excellent health throughout the year and all had made good progress "at tlie Papatoetoo School.