CHILDREN'S FRIEND

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23336, 3 May 1939, Page 15

CHILDREN'S FRIEND

DEATH OF MISS CARNIE WELFARE WORK IN CITY The death occurred on Monday, after a short illness, of Miss Margaret Carnie, of Union Street, Freeman's Bay, for many years an officer of the Child Weifaro Department. Miss Carnie, who was 79, belonged to an old Auckland family, and first became associated with the caro of children about the year 1895 as matron of a homo in Vermont Street. This institution was founded by the congregation of the former Union Free Church, 'Welleslev Street West, whose minister, the Rev. William Birch, discovered two neglected children making their homo in a barrel, and took them into his house.

Later, other cases of destitution were found, and a small orphanage was established. When it had been open some two years, Miss Carnie left a good position to become matron. About 1900 the homo was taken over Jiv the Baptist Union, and Miss Carnie, whose work had earned the regard of the Government inspectors, was invited to join the staff of the Child Welfare Department. She did so, and remained in its service as an inspector until her retirement on superannuation. The home which she had conducted was later removed to Portland Road, Remuera, and eventually became the present Children's Home, Manurewa.

A woman of very line character, Miss Carnie had a singular gift for inspiring affection in children, and up to the time of her death many of those who had been in her charge kept regularly in touch with her, personally and by letter, even after reaching middle age. She is survived by two sisters, living in Auckland and Christchurch respectively.