THE FEMALE REFUGE.

Otago Witness, Issue 1342, 18 August 1877, Page 10

THE FEMALE REFUGE.

The Ladies' Committee of the Dunedin Female Refuge have determined this year, instead of holding a public meeting, to content themselves with sending round to their supporters a statement of their affairs. We think they have done wisely, since their work is eminently one which does not require the adventitious aid of a public demonstration. The main features of the work are as follows : — There were 11 women in the Refuge at the beginning of the year, 21 have since been admitted, 23 have left. There are now nine inmates, of whom we see, with much satisfaction, that only one can be regarded as elderly. Two were expelled during the same period, 12 went back to their old evil courses, three have nominally gone into situations ; these represent, however, the failures. Two have entered service and done well, one is in Hospital, one with her husband, one in the Benevolent. Three therefore represents the number that haye been, recovered to a better life. Wo congratulate the Committee on their mod-

eat and sensible report. It is infinitely ihe best we have seen yet, and bears on its face good taste and feeling. With regard to the finances, which are tolerably flourishing, though by no means in such a state as to do away with the need of liberal support, we find that out of the £630 it ha 9 taken to keep things going £50 was the balance from the previous year, subscriptions amounted to £150, the Churches gave £50, Government £50, and washing produced £230. The total amount is an evidence that the Kefuge has been economically worked, when we note the fact that there is a balance of £70. remaining. In the list of Church contributions we find the First Church, Rnox Church, and the East Taieri Church, alone represented. Where are the rest ] Surely they might contribute ?