CHILDREN’S REST HOME

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21569, 15 February 1932, Page 12

CHILDREN’S REST HOME

ANNUAL REPORT The annual report of the Children’s Rest Home states, inter alia: — It is now 13 years since the Children’s Rest Horne was started to provide a temporary home for children of sick mothers in poor circumstances, and during that time some thousands of children have been provided for, while hundreds of mothers have derived great benefit by knowing that their children are well cared for when they are in hospital, sanatorium, maternity home, or in Warrington RestHome. No deserving case has ever been turned away. The year which closed on December 31 has seen the most service given of any, although it has been the hardest and most difficult, both for the number of children cared for and financially. Eighty children were provided for in the home, and 117 board out privately, being 16 more than last year, which shows the ever-increasing value of this home. All children under six who are boarded out are under the supervision of the agent appointed under the Infant Life Protection Act, Child Welfare Branch, Education Department. The health of the children during the Vear has been good, largely due to the capable management of the matron (Nurse I. Dynes) and staff, and to the ever-ready and generous attention of the honorary medical adviser, Dr W. H. Borrie.

By the constitution the home is open to children of all denominations. _ Where application is made for admission, no question is asked as to the creed of the applicant; all children are admitted on equal terms. The audited statement of receipts and expenditure, attached to the report, shows a debit bdlance of £74 4s 8d on the year's working, which is the first time in the home’s 13 years experience. The institution is run efficiently and with economy, the very moderate amount for household expenses being due partly to careful management by the matron, and partly to the kindness of business friends who have generously sent gifts to the home. At the same time, nothing is stinted; the medical adviser bears witess to its efficiency; and it is a matter of satisfaction to the committee that the home is well in the confidence. of responsible people in the community. Valuable assistance has been given the manager by Mr John Beck, superintendent of the Child Welfare Department, and his local agents, who have been very helpful, particularly in connection with the supervision of the children who are boarded out in private homes. The committee has recognised for some years that as there is room for only 12 children in the home itself, and as the cost of boarding out a large number of children is great, there is urgent need for providing more accommodation In the report ended December, 1930, was recorded the munificent gift by the late Mr and Mrs A. Hill Jack of one acre and a-half of land situated at Highgate, Roslyn, on which to build the new children’s rest home to accommodate 30 children, and the Hill Jack memorial fresh air home, in which to provide for, 10 children needing special care. A further step was taken during the year. The contract price for the new building was about £II,OOO, and there is £SOOO in hand and promised. A special appeal was issued in February to raise the Balance, £6OOO, and four days later the disastrous earthquake in Napier and Hastings occurred, which made it impossible to continue the appeal for the time being. Since then, owing to the general depression, there has been no opportunity to put out a further appeal; nevertheless, the new hqme is more urgently needed than ever. The public of Dunedin has in the past never failed to respond to an appeal when it hag been proved, as this work has, to be urgently needed.