CHILD WELFARE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22505, 25 February 1935, Page 3

CHILD WELFARE

CENTRAL MISSION HEALTH CAMP LAYING OF FOUNDATION STONES A further step in the progress of the social work of the Dunedin Methodist Central Mission and the fulfilment of at leaßt part of the ambitions of its superintendent (the Key. L. B. Neale) were r "rked on Saturday afternoon, when the foundation stones of the mission's new health camp and children's home at Company Bay were laid. Brilliant weather favoured the function, which was attended by about 1500 supporters and friends of the mission. Among those present was a large number of delegates to the Methodist Conference being held in Dunedin and the president of the conference (the Rev. J. H. Haslam), who presided over the proceedings. 'PRACTICAL SUPPORT REQUIRED. After devotional exercises had been conducted by the Rev. C. H. Olds and the Rev. P. R. Paris, Mr Neale outlined the history of the mission's health camp movement from its inception to the stage it had at present reached, and said that the new home would; be the second institution of its kind in the South Island to be sponsored by the Methodist Mission. He wished first of all to express gratitude to Mr M'Dowell Smith, who, besides designing the building, had undertaken the supervision of its erection. All of hia services were given without one penny of cost to the mission. Tributes were also due to the men of the Central Mission Health Camp Group, who were carrying out their work so faithfully and well, to Mr A. Lawrence, who was superintending the work free of cost, and to all those who were, by donations/and devoted service, helping to bring* the scheme to fruition. The full cost of the home, including the furnishing and the laying out of the grounds, would be between £6OOO and £7OOO, but it should be remembered that the structure would be a permanent one, and there would be nothing shoddy about it. Finance was, of course, the principal problem, but the mission hoped to pull through and to this end was looking for practical support in a movement that was destinecLto have a great influence on the young life of the future. A TRIBUTE TO ENTERPRISE. , Mr Haslam said that it was a tremendous enterprise on which the mission had embarked, and it had in Mr Neale the one man who could have inspired such a venture. Realising that the future progress of New Zealand could only be secured by a population sound in body and mind, one must enter into* sympathy with such a movement. Unfortunately, despite the advantages that the Dominion possessed, it was a fact that many children were not growing up strong in physical and mental health, and in the new health' camp the mission was establishing an. institution that would help to contribute a worthy portion of the citizenship required later on. He hoped that Mr Neale would be spared for many years to carry on the work he had so well begun, and he wished to pay a tribute to the zeal and warmhearted sympathy that had led him to undertake an . enterprise of such magnitude and possessing such great possibilities. On behalf of the Methodist Church of New Zealand, he gave the movement his benediction and expressed his warm approval of it. He also appealed to the people to help realise the great ideal Mr Neale had put before them. FOUNDATION STONES LAID. At the conclusion of Mr Haslam's remarks, the four stones, each bearing an inscription indicating by whom it ■was laid, were placed in position. Mr Haslam, Mr Neale, .Mesdames L. B. Neale, C. Marrett, A. C. Jones, J. Grant, Sister Lenna, and Messrs J. B. Shacklock, T. Smith and H. H. Johnson were associated in the ceremony. A COURAGEOUS VENTURE. The Rev., H. E. Bellhouse said that the erection of the home was a courageous and wonderful venture. In Otago they were all exceedingly proud of Mr Neale. The Methodist Church had been rather lacking in the past so far as welfare work in Dunedin was concerned, but now, under the guidance of Mr Neale, it had initiated a movement which would be of inestimable benefit to the community. He hoped that the appeals to the public would be successful • and would result in bringing Mr Neale's project to a splendid and triumphant conclusion, and to the full realisation of all his aspirations and hopes. The proceedings were brought to a close by the pronouncing of the benediction, and those present were then entertained at afternoon tea.