HOME FOR GIRLS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3882, 7 August 1928, Page 9

HOME FOR GIRLS.

GIFT TO AUCKLAND DIOCESE. AUCKLAND, August 2. “ Te Kiteroa,” the well-known residence of the late Sir Henry Brett, on the hillcrest between Lake Takapuna and the sea, is to be used as a children’s home, and will replace the present Anglican Girls’ Home in Richmond road. The property, which comprises about three acres of land, has been made a free gift by the legatees in Sir Henry Brett’s estate to assist one of the most deserving movements in Auckland.

The house commands unrivalled views of Hauraki Gulf and of Auckland city and harbour. The ample grounds slope to Lake Pupuke, and were planted by Sir Henry Brett, who, in his lifetime, was a keen horticulturist. The property was left in trust for the family. On the suggestion of Lady Brett and Mr Arthur Brett, the eldest son, the eight legatees to whom the property was bequeathed, decided that the position of the property made it especially suitable as a home for homeless children. It was therefore decided to offer it to the Church of England of Auckland province as a home for orphaned and destitute girls. The offer was very gladly accepted by Archbishop Averill. The home has been made iminediately available, and steps have already been taken to adapt the house and grounds to their future use. Dormitories are to be built, and internal alterations made.

“ The home will be known as the Brett Memorial Home,” said Canon Grant Cowen this morning. He added that when the additions and alterations were made the home would accommodate considerably more children than were at present in the Richmond Road Home, which it would replace. The majority of the children came from squalid and unhappy homes, and quite irrespective of denomination they were cared for and brought up until they were ready to go out as domestic servants. A sum of £2OOO would be necessary for the conversion of “Te Kiteroa ” for its new use, and an. appeal would be made to defray the cost.