SOCIAL SERVICE ASSOCIATION

Otago Witness, Issue 3313, 12 September 1917, Page 53

SOCIAL SERVICE ASSOCIATION

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting- of members and friends of tho Presbyterian Social Service Association, held in Burns Hall on the 27th, was presided over by the Rev. A. Cameron. The Chairman spoke of the progress made by the association since its inception, assisted, as it had been, by the donations from several friends, and tho energetic work done by the Rev. E. A. Axelsen. Besides the Glendining Home and tho Grant's Braes Homo their activities now extended to Invercargill and other parts of the province. It was very gratifying to know that 60 of their young people had gone to the front, and also that all tho association's properties were free of debt. Referring to the movement for the establishment of an old people's home, it had been said the present was not a good time to ask for money; but ho (tho chairman) thought it was a good time, for it was God's time. Deserving cases that had been brought before them, showing, the distressing conditions that some old people were in, had caused the association to take up the work of providing for the aged poor. Ho hoped the movement would havo such support as would encourage them to go on with the good work to completion. The Rev. W. Trotter moved the adoption of the association's annual report, and claimed support for the movement for the establishment of an institution for the aged poor. The Rev. R. E. Davics seconded the adoption of the report, which, he was glad to say, was tho best they ever had, and also because it included the proposal for providing an old people's home. The latter was very much needed, and if carried out their church would never regret its establishment. Tho balance sheet showed receipts from legacies, contributions, and other sources totalling £6693 0s 6d. The expenditure included general expenses, £3254 13s 2d; balance of purchase of George street property, £2IOO j repairs and alterations, £427 18s 7d; repayment of loan to J. Withers, £BSO. The adoption of the report was carried by acclamation. Tho Superintendent (Mr Axelsen) thanked the speakers for the kind words that had been said about the staff, and acknowledged the valuable assistance rendered by the committee, r . A band of children from the Glendining Home sang choruses and other vocal items, and Mrs Taylor and Miss Cowie contributed to tho musical portion of the evening's programme. The fingina- of u. verse of the National Anthem brought the meeting to a close.