ANGLICAN ORPHANAGES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22712, 26 October 1935, Page 9

ANGLICAN ORPHANAGES

ANNUAL MEETING The annual meeting of subscribers to the Anglican orphanages of the Diocese of Dunedin (St. Mary’s Orphanage and the Anglican Memorial Home for Boys) was held yesterday morning at the orphanage buildings at Vauxhall, the chairman of the committee (Dr E. H. Williams) occupying the chair. The meeting was opened with a prayer. AND BALANCE SHEET. Reports were presented to the meeting as follows: ' ■ Committee’s Report.—Submitting the report and accounts for the-year ended June 30, 1935, the committee drew attention to the very marked decrease in expenditure, which had resulted from the rearrangement whereby the diocesan office took over the secretarial work, the diocesan registrar being appointed secretary and treasurer, and the Rev. J. N. Thompson, vicar of Anderson’s Bay, , chaplain-superintendent. The committee placed on record its grateful appreciation of the work carried out by the Rev. W. A. Curzon-Siggers during his term as chaplain, superintendent and general 'secretary. The change came into operation as from September 1, 1934, with the full approval of the committee and the Standing Committee of the diocese. Presenting the accounts, the committee reported that the deficit on the year’s working had been reduced to £IC 13s 4d, compared with £123 14s 7d in 1934 and £415 11s 6d in 1933. Income from investments showed an increase of £59 (is 3d, maintenance payments and pensions a decrease of £44 2s 9d, and donations and subscriptions a decrease of £290 6s. Against this expenditure was down by £2BB Is 9d. Capital had been increased by additional payments on account of bequest 'as follows:—W. Tayles Estate £9 Is Bd, John Scott Estate £3O Cs, and fresh bequests, Mrs Dalgleish £SO and Mrs Buchanan £200; total, £295 17s Bd. The sale of the freehold of St. Mary’s property at Mornington realised £IOOO, and the surplus furniture, etc., £3l 4s Cd, and after payment of commission, charges, etc., the balance of £972 14s 2d was transferred to the capital of the St. Mary’s Orphanage Trust in the hands of the Dunedin Diocesan Trust Board. In accordance with a recommendation from the Finance Committee, all debentures, etc., previously held on behalf of the committee by the National Bank, had been transferred to the Trust Board to hold on account of the trusts concerned. At Christmas the holiday camp was held at Karitane, and the sum of £9? 10s Kid was collected for the Christmas Cheer Fund. In conclusion, the committee expressed its gratitude to the honorary physicians (Dr E. H. Williams and Dr S. Batchelor), to the honorary auditor (Mr J. G. Butler), to all who have helped to maintain and entertain the children, and finally its gratitude to and appreciation of the excellent attention given at all times to the children by the master and matron, Mr and Mrs Gerrard.

Superintendent's Report.—“ When I was appointed to the position of superintendent in August of last year I must confess that I had but a superficial knowledge of the work which has been carried out in the homes. The months since have made me feel very proud of the part which the church is taking in | caring for orphan and neglected chil- , dr§n. Apart from the fact that the ; children of the homes lack their own in- j dividual homes (and this must be a great loss to any child) I make bold to say that the children are better eared for than many children who have homes. All this is due to Mr and Mrs Gerrard, the committee, all of whom give their interest and services most generously, and to the many people throughout the diocese who give so liberally to the support of the homes. Although the girls of St. Mary’s had a chapel when the home was situated in Mornington. it has not yet been found possible to provide a chapel in the home at Vauxhall. It seems to me a pity that there is no chapel, and one hopes that the opportunity may soon come for such a provision to be made. -Religious instruction is given each week, and on Sundays the

children attend the morning service at St. Michael’s, Anderson’s Bay.” Master’s Report.—“ Some 32 children were • in residence, three were admitted and five were discharged. Positions were found for one boy in the country and one girl entered domestic service; three boys were discharged to relatives. The health of the children has been good. Our thanks are due to our honorary physician, Dr E. H. Williams, for bis kind attention and the keen Interest he takes in the children’s welfare. Every endeavour is made to keep in touch with those who have passed through the homes, by correspondence and occasion il visits .are made to those in service in country districts. Several of them have visited the home and brought their wives and children. It will be readily understood that the necessity of keeping the children properly clothed requires constant attention, particularly mending and darning. The work at times is very pressing and we are most grateful for any assistance given. Our thanks are due to the League of Women helpers (Toe H) for their services. Boots and shoes are inspected once a week and all the: necessary repairs attended to, with tlu assistance of the older boys. Time and attention was given by the staff to home lessons, and the work of the year may be regarded as satisfactory. Our thanks are due to the Rev. J. N. Thompson, who visits the home once a weekend gives the children religious instruction. Eight children were confirmed. Sports and recreation are not overlooked; a number of games were arranged with various Sunday schools and choirs. These games were much enjoyed both by the visitors and the children of the homes. One of the boys was chosen for the representative Otago team and represented Otago at the Primary Schools’ Association football tournament at Dunedin. A number of entertainments were given by various church organisations. These gave a great deal of pleasure. There wore also various treats given by outside organisations which were very much enjoyed. In the work attached to the home gardens, splendid work was done by the girls in St. Mary’s portion, and the same may be said about the boys’ work in the vegetable garden; the boys’ competition is very keen. The outside work has a beneficial effect on the health of the children. The summer camp was held at Karitane, where three weeks’ residence was enjoyed by all. Many donations were received from the residents and visitors. One requires special mention; six boys held a show at the fishing station and made £2 which they gave to spend on treats for the children. We take this opportunity of thanking them, especially the younger boys, for their kindly thought. The amalgamation of the homes has been a decided success, the hoys and girls have settled down to the new life, and we are a large, happy family. In concluding this brief summary of the year’s work we desire to place on record our sincere thanks and appreciation of the interest shown in iho management by the members of the committee and for the sympathetic consideration given to the many problems that are associated with work this nature.” Moving the adoption of the annual reports and balance sheet, the chairman expressed his gratitude at seeing so many present. The present system of holding the meeting was a great advance on that in vogue up to two years ago, as the people were now able to see the home and what was being done for the ehildrn. The combining of the two homes under one management had resulted in a considerable saving, the debit balance having been reduced very satisfactorily. The income had been reduced, but the expenditure even more so. Bishop Fitchett, seconding the motion, also expressed pleasure at seeing so many there to see what was being done and how the children were being looked after; The committee was fortunate in having so enthusiastic a chairman as Dr E. H. Williams, but even more fortunate in having such management on the spot as that of Mr and Mrs J. S. Gerrard, who were like a father and mother to the children. The vicar of Anderson’s Bay (the Rev. J. N. Thompson) was also deserving of commendation for his work as chaplain-superintendent. The deficit was now not a very great one, but what was wanted was to have something on the credit side so that further

.t improvements could be effected for the children. The Rev, F. V. Fisher, vicar of Mornington, said there had been some mis- “ giving when the idea of amalgamating s the tw v o homes was first introduced, but P that had all been dispelled, and it was > now well known that their combination '• had proved very successful. ■■ After other speakers had been heard V in support, the motion was put to the s meeting and carried. ® GENERAL, k Mr J. G. Butler was re-elected honorB ary auditor. j The suggestion was made by the Rev. 3 J. A. G. Simpson that a chapel should s be built at the orphanage. It would ( save the children having to travel in 5 rough weather, and he would like to see ’ one erected, however small and unpre- ? j tentious it might have to he. —The cliair- ~ | man replied that the matter had already ’ ! been considered and would be more fully 1 discussed on a future occasion, r