ST. MARY'S HOMES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22191, 19 August 1935, Page 3

ST. MARY'S HOMES

TAST YEAR'S ACTIVITIES RENOVATION OF PROPERTY NEED STILL PRESSING Appreciation of the anonymous bequest of £ISOO, made for the explicit purpose of renovating the St. Mary's Homes at Otahuhu, was warmly expressed by Archbishop Averill at the annual meeting held at the homes on Saturday. There was a good attendance of friends interested in the work of the homes, and at the conclusion of the formal business they inspected the wards and buildings and were entertained to afternoon tea. The annual report was presented by the Rev. P. S. Smallfield, chairman of tho Board of Management. " The need for kindly, thoughtful and effective aid is as pressing to-day as it was 50 years ago, and the aim of the homes is to give the same practical help now as then, although now, with a greater Auckland, on a wider scale," stated tho report. Referring to the activities of the St. Mary's Homes Association, the report stated that without it the homes would lose tho greater part of their financial support and gifts in kind. " The hope of the future lies largely inMJie prayers, sympathetic interest, influence and financial assistance of the members of the association," added the report, in stating that a now branch of the association had been formed during the year. Renovation of the homes' buildings on an extensive scale was a costly matter, and the pressing need for this being undertaken had caused the board some anxiety for several years. This had been relieved to some extent by the timely and generous bequest of £ISOO from an anonymous friend, and the board had carried out considerable restoration and improvements in terms of the bequest. The financial report showed there had been a deficit of £713 for the year under review. It was hoped that the interest and assistance of friends of the work would enable the institution to continue its usefulness.

Archbishop Averill said the position as revealed should stimulate a greater measure of public support for the most essential work being so ably carried on under the direct guidance of the Sisters of the Order of the Good Shepherd. He paid a tribute to the services of those carrying on the work and to Miss Alice Wilson, secretary of the St. Mary's Homes Association. The reports were adopted, and on behalf of the gathering Archbishop Averill conveyed to Archdeacon MacMurray, who was present, congratulations upon his attainment of his 80th birthday and on his fine work and interest in the homes' activities.