CHURCH MISSION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15135, 5 May 1911, Page 7

CHURCH MISSION.

ST. MARY'S ORPHANAGE.

The annual general meeting of the members of and subscribers to .the Anglican Uurch Mission, and St. Mary's Orphanage was hold in All Sainte' Schoolroom yesterday afternoon. The chair was occupied by Dean Fitchett, and there was a good attend-ance-pnncipaUy ladies-of those interested in the work.

The Chairman, m moving the .adoption of tho two reports and tho balance sheet, statea that in a town of the size of Dunedm there was need of such an institution as St Marys Orphanage. It filled a position of great usefulness in the community and was domg a very excellent work. The finances wero sound, and ho believed they would always bo so.

The reports were as follows:—The Church Mission report stated: "On May 22, 1902 the Mission House in Scotland street was dedicated by the Primate in the presence of some 400 interested friends. Concerning parish work, the untiring industry and sonscientwusness of Sister Frances in All &" nt s parish was known to most of them. Ihe Mother's' Meetine still carried on its good work on Thursday afternoon, and it was encouraging to see the crowded intercession services 'held each Tuesday before the mission, the congregation composed chiefly of members. A good deal of tirao was each yea* devoted to confirmation candidates, and it was interesting to notice that since its inception 272 candidates for baptism or confirmation have been prepared from the Church Mission. The Sunday school flourished under the kind care of Miss Brookes and Miss Fenwick. • The report of St. Mary's Orphanago sfated_ it would probably bo the last to bo written from the present premises. In spite of every drawback, however,- the report recorded, with deep thankfulness, a perfectly clean bill of health, with the exception of periodic illnesses of a small child who had bronchitio tendencies. The plan begun some few years back of sending some of the children to the State school, and having some taught at home, had been adhered to. Admission had to be refused to 20 children and it behoved the Church people to provide proper accommodation for ail applicants, except infants. Thanks wero tendered to all friends and supporters. Tho balance sheet showed the very satisfactory amount of £113 17s lOd to tho credit of the society.

The motion was seconded by Mr J, M. Ritchie, who referred to the good work beingdone by tho institution, and ..stated that in'the course, of a very few months tho present building, owing to its unsatisfactory condition, would have to be vacated for moro suitable- premises. After the report had been spoken to by Archdeacon Gould and Miss MaTchant (both of whom eulogised tho work of the orpnanage and its staff) it was put to the meeting ajid carried.

The election of office-bearers for the ensuing year resulted as follows:—Visitor, Tho Primate; committee—Archdeacon Gould, Canon Woodthorpc, Canon' Cun.onSiggers, Messrs W. Burnett, C. Joachim, J. M. Ritchie, H. S. 'Fenwick. • Butterworth, J. M. Gallaway, D. M. Snedding, G. R. Ritchie, Rev. E. D. Evans, Mesdames James Allen, J. M. Ritchie, H. E. Williams, James Thomson, H. S. Fenwick, Butterworth, Misses Williams and Marchant; hon. treasurer, Mr J. N. Ritchie (as Mr Ritchie is abroad the duties of tliasurer will bo carried on by M C. C. Graham in his absence.); hon. phvsician, Dr 5. Batehelor; hon. dentist, Mr W. S. Myers; staff—Sisters Ernestine and Francos, and B. V. M'Haffie; hon. collectors—Misses Rehbcrg, M'Haffie, Bray, and Sirs Levy.