SOCIAL SERVICE

Southland Times, Issue 21579, 17 December 1931, Page 8

SOCIAL SERVICE

PRESBYTERIAN HOMES VALUABLE WORK IN SOUTHLAND CHILDREN WELL CARED FOR Can children who have never known a parent’s love be happy? Is there an atmosphere of gloom and cheerlessness about a church home for children? These two queries can be answered most emphatically by anyone who pays a visit to the Gladstone and Cameron Homes which are controlled by the Southland Presbyterian Social Service Association. Yes, children so unfortunate not to know a mother’s tender care may indeed be happy. No, the old idea that an orphangage as a watched, over-disciplined place is quite erroneous if these two Invercargill institutions can be accepted as a reliable guide. The movement, however, is not confined to Southland alone, but is a widespread one, embracing the whole of New Zealand. Recently compiled statistics show that there is a total of 20 homes in the Dominion, at Auckland, Wellington, Wanganui, Christchurch, Timaru, Dunedin and Invercargill, having under their care 235 boys and 203 girls. In addition there are a number of children in employment who come under the care of the homes so that altogether there is a total of 560 benefited by the association’s activities. The area covered in this way in Southland extends from Arrowtown to Bluff and includes portion of the Mat aura Presbytery. Maintained by voluntary contributions and occasional legacies, the homes cater for the welfare of children of parents in needy circumstances and in the majority of cases those bereaved of mother or father. While preference is given to the children of Presbyterians, children of all denominations are accepted, tire homes being the only ones of their type this side of Dunedin. Maintenance of these children costs no less than 14/- per week in each instance, this expenditure in the majority of cases being met with by subscriptions. History of the Homes. In 1917 the purchase was made of Cameron Home, which is situated in Gordon street, and the following year Gladstone Home in Grey street was obtained. The premises, although not new, are eminently suitable, additions and renovations being made to both as the years passed on. At the end of last term there were 16 boys in residence at Gladstone Home and at present there are 12. At Cameron Home 23 girls and small boys arc being looked after and including those children out at work, there is a total of 54 coming under the scope of the local association’s activities. There are still vacancies for several more children.'

Yesterday, in company with the Rev. J. Chisholm, a Times reporter visited both homes in order to obtain an insight into the valuable work they were performing in the community. Gladstone was first visited, this institution being under the control of Mr and Mrs J. C. Bates, superintendent and matron respectively, who are assisted by Miss M. Calvert. Situated in a well-sheltered spot and with well-trimmed lawns offering ample playing facilities, the institution is veritably a home away from home for its boy inmates. As no particular uniform has been adopted the children are in no way made conspicuous. Cheerfully they set off daily to school, mingle with their playmates and return eagerly to the home, the comforts of which are such as to make them entirely forget their misfortunes.

Inside all is as bright as a new pin. The dormitories with their trim white beds are roomy and well-ventilated as are the remainder of the living rooms and staff quarters. Contributions to the decorations of the sitting room by the children include an owl, ingeniously carved out of a block of wood, and various bowls and vases attractively decorated with multi-coloured strips of tinsel paper. Cupboards there are a-plenty, all containing neatly-folded clothing belonging to the children. In the bathroom the wash basins are lowly constructed - for the benefit of the smaller boys with a raised bath at one end to enable their backs to be washed without undue bending on the part of those supervising the ablutions. The kitchen, so popular a place with boys, is well fitted out and in the storerooms are to be found large supplies of eggs, jams and other foodstuffs necessary to meet the demands of youthful hungry appetites. Own Vegetables Grown. Outside there are playsheds, lockers and huts for the use of the children and also a thriving vegetable garden which all assist to keep in order. The boys are keen as amateur gardeners, but when there is a possibility of a trip to the Tepid Baths in the offing, what the boys can do with spade and fork is nothing short of remarkable. The boys are very interested in swimming and these occasional visits to the baths are very popular. Now and again on the occasion of the screening of such pictures as “Tom Sawyer,” “Daddy Longlegs” and “Trader Horn,” the children are given a treat at the theatres. Every night they derive much enjoyment from listening to the radio which is installed in the home. In addition various local organizations from time to time see that the children are entertained in some way or another, With the advent of the festive season the children at both homes are eagerly awaiting a visit from genial Old Santa Claus, who never forgets to call on them.

There were nine boys home early from school disporting themselves on the lawn yesterday afternoon when the visitors' called. As proved the case at Cameron Home, the children were a happy, wellbehaved lot. “Norman,” the “baby” of

the family, z was a trifle shy, but nevertheless wearing a happy smile when introduced to the visitors. “Ronnie,” the next junior member, was becoming sufficient of a man to resent reference to a "baby” and was probably relieved when a slight bleeding at the nose, caused by the heat, made it necessary for him to go indoors and avoid any embarrassment in this respect. The visitors then proceeded to Cameron Home where equally satisfactory conditions were in evidence. Miss J. Taylor is matron and is assisted by Misses M. Henderson and Penman. The various rooms are airy and well-lit and from a dormitory upstairs a fine view is afforded of the surrounding neighbourhood. Outside, the grounds are in good order and the vegetable garden is well advanced, there being a friendly rivalry in this respect between the two homes.

SOUTHLAND ASSOCIATION

PAST ACTIVITIES REVIEWED.

ANNUAL MEETING.

Reference to activities during the past year was made at the annual meeting of the Southland Presbyterian Social Service Association held last evening in First Church. The chairman (the Rev. J. Chisholm) presided. The following is the annual report which was adopted:— The work of the homes has been carried on quietly and efficiently during the past year. There have been no outstanding events to record, but with a Christian atmosphere in the home life it is hoped that in time the little ones under our charge will go out into the world, good citizens equipped for the battle of life. Our superintendent (Mr J. C. Bates), with this outlook always before him is well qualified for the responsible position he holds and has the confidence of the committee in this respect and of the extensive constituency in which he make? his appeal. Difficulty of Finance. We are living in difficult times and we arc finding it difficult to make ends meet. Many of our friends and regular contributors are not so able to help as in former days, but the appeal of the children is strong and not many subscribers fail us altogether. Unfortunately, living expenses go on however low the funds may be, and we would ask our friends to remember this. During the past year we have been fortunate in having received a few legacies and individual gifts of a substantial amount, and these have carried us through the year without going seriously into debt.

The committee has in view an extension of its social activities as soon as funds make it possible to do so. The late Mrs M. H. Adamson, of Castle Rock, who in her lifetime was interested in our orphanages and was a liberal contributor, left a legacy of £450 for the benefit of the homes. The committee considered it a good opportunity to begin a fund towards an old people’s home on the lines of the Ross Home in Dunedin, and with the approval of Miss Adamson decided to set aside all but £lOO as a nucleus of such a fund. Although not definitely committed to the establishment of this home, the committee believes that in the good providence of God the way will open for a beneficent work of this kind as one of the social activities of our church.

Reverting to the work in hand, we have 33 children in the two homes at the present time, and while always vigilant to see that the institutions are not imposed upon, we find it advisable sometimes to take in children for which there are no prospects of any maintenance fees. Every case is decided on its own merits and one is not a precedent, for another. These are cases of the helping hand and for which we appeal to our friends. Work Of The Staff. The committee would again express its appreciation of the services of the staff (Mrs Bates, matron, and Mrs Calvert, assistant at Gladstone Home, Mrs Taylor, matron, and Misses Henderson and Penman at Cameron Home. Each in their respective spheres is efficient and willing and each has the confidence of the children. During the year 13 were admitted and nine discharged. As our boys and girls reach the age when they can start work, Mr Bates has always been able to secure employment under suitable environment. In this we have been fortunate. There are at present nine boys and four girls at work. It will not bo out of plate to add that there are young men and young women, not a few, who have gone out from our homes who are of the finest type, a credit to themselves and to all concerned.

An important feature of our social services is hospital visitation by our chaplain. Th« association was fortunate in the choice of its Chaplain, the Rev. J. 11. Thomson. Mr Thomson is a conscientious and acceptable chaplain and is doing a fine work in that department. The committee takes this opportunity of heartily thanking all those who in season and out have interested themselves in the good work. It is not possible to specialize in some way or other large numbers deserve ‘special mention. The members of the committee know what is accomplished away from the footlights. Outings for the Children. The children receive outings, have evenings, receive gifts, there are costly gifts from a warehouse in both homes. Gifts for the pantry and for the wardrobe come in all the year round. Monetary gifts for the Christmas holiday fund, all voluntary, run into £25 and over every year, enabling the children to have a month at the seaside each Christmas vacation and at the seaside kindnesses pour in from the friends in the neighbourhood. We have a band of ladies from the churches who meet regularly at the homes to do mending and darning of which there is necessarily plenty. In returning thanks where can we specialize? There is One who knows all. It is His work and the joy and hapiness of His service is their reward. The committee commends this aspect of the work to all members and friends in our congregations throughout the Church in Southland. It desires once again to acknowledge the good Hand of God in all the successes which have attended its labours in this great work. “Not unto us O Lord, not unto us, but unto Thy name be the praise.”