NAZARETH HOUSE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2862, 20 January 1909, Page 24

N A ZARETH HOUSE.

FOUNDATION STONE LAID. CHRISTCHURCH, January 17. This afternoon, in presence of a large gathering, including Bishop Grimes, many Jttoman Catholic clergy, the Prime Minister and Lady Ward, his Excellency the Governor '.aid the foundation stone of Na/aieth House, an institution for the succour of the aged, the infirm, and orphans of all denominations. BLshop Grimes stated) that very many apologies had been received from a number of gentlemen, including Bishop Julius and; a number of the Anglican clergy, members of the Cabinet, and leading citizens of the Chiu'ch and other parts of the Dominion. Regarding the work of the Sisters of Nazareth in this city, his Lordship stated that since their arrival here four years ago, 180 old people and children had! passed through their hands, and at present there were 87 in their charge. His Excellency, prior to performing the ceremony, said that it had been, a matter of special pleasure to him to accept Bishop Grimes's invitation to lay the foundation stone of Nazareth House, because he considered the function was on© particulai'ly appropriate to his. office. Amongst the efforts for the amelioration of his people to which his Majesty the King gives his patronage, his sympathy, and material support, none were dearer to his heart than hospitals, and allied institutions, andi his Majesty still took special interest in the Prince of Wales Hospital Fund, which he started when, Prince of Wales. By means of this fund many millions had been collected for the London hospitals. After referring to the self-sacrifice of the work being done by Alother Mary Aubert in Wellington, his Excellency said that in view of the extension of the functions of the State in the matter of providing hospitals and charitable institutions, some might not consider it necessary to open their hearts and purses in response to the appeal being madi-i that day. He himself did! not think so, because he did not think that the extension of the State functions in the direction indicated would influence the true charity of the pepole. Farthermore, theie weie many charities that could not be carried out by the State, and Nazareth House dealt with cases for which the State did not provide. At the conclusion of tho ceremony, a collection was taken up, Bishop Grimes giving one hundied guineas, his Excellency ten guineas, and the Prime Minister ten guineas.