ST. ANDREW'S ORPHANAGE.

Colonist, Volume LVII, Issue 13757, 21 April 1915, Page 3 (Supplement)

ST. ANDREW'S ORPHANAGE.

ANNUAL MEETING

The annual meeting of the isubscrib-ers-to St. Andrew's' Orphanage was held yesterday afternoon, in the Diocesan "Library, when Bishop Mules presided.

The chairman explained the object of the meeting, and called on the seerstary to read the annual report. The Rev. J. P. Kempthorne read the report, as follows: — "Tho trustees of St. Andrew's Orphanage "beg to present tlieir annual report tor the year ending March 31sfo The trustees'at present'are:—Bishop Mules, the Revs W. S. Lucas, W. Baumber, and J. P. Kempthorne, Messrs W. W. Snodgrass, T. AH. Field, F. I. Ledger, and Mesdames Mules and Scaly Three trustees retire this year,, and axe eligible for reelection. "Daring the year the trustees have held 15 meetings, 16 children have been admitted irito our homes, and 20 withdrawn, some of whom have gone back to their fuends and others have obtained situations. There are- at present ft 1 children under our charge, and they are drawn from the following districts: Nelson 11, Blenheim 1, Wellington 11, Westport 20, Greymouth- -1, Kumara 5, Reefton 7, Havelock 3 Motukea 3, Spring Creek 1. The orphanage u-ceived a severe.blow m the removal by death of Mrs Henry Alldndge,, who for so long had had the respon.n-j bility of training and maintaining many of our orphan and destitute .'children.' For i* years she had the advice ami moral support of her husband, Mr Henry AlHridgo. who, although, an invalid, yet was able *<> «**W a strom* moral control over the children ontrushed to them. Since his death, for 11 years she Had continued the good work alone, and not only did she keep her house in excellent order, but she became such a mother to the children that they were ready ,to obey her slightest wish, and during her_ last* illness showed groat consideration and concern for her, and deeply regretted her death. Her example and teaching we believe will exert a permanent influence on the lives of the children whom ishe dincerely loved and laboured ior. lln a resolution passed by the trustees iin connection with Mrs Alldridges work it was stated that they desired to place on record the high regard they r-ad fo< her earnest Christian character, land the warm admiration they have always felt for the careful and motherly way i:< which she managed her home; also they can bear testimony to the great influence for good she always fxercised upon the children under her charge. The trustees by Mrs Alldridse's appointment have a reversionary interest in the Mailai Bank protrustees.did not consider is advisable to purchase the house at Maitai Bank, as it was an old 'building, and the ground around it was very iimite'l. though in other respects the situation was a favourable one; so they determined to repair and maue come additions to the old receiving home in Waimea road, which had been let for some time, and remove the children there. Tho house wn* repaired and painted, and the rooms were repapered and furnished throughout, and two bathrooms added, and at the end of January the children were removedthere. Miss Cooke, matron of the Waimea road home, gave notice of resignation of her positaon, to take effect on February 16th, but she kindly consented to stay a little longer till a new matron was appointed. After some delay Miss Williams was appointed, and took up her duties on March 22nd.

"Miss Patrick, matron of the Kawai street home, gave notice of her resignation of her'position as matron, to tako ■eflfect as" from January - 12th, much to the regret of the trustees, who bad been well satisfied with her management of the homeland the ex~ celle.it discipline which she had maintained among the children, at the same time winning their respect and affection. The sub-matron, who had carried out her duties in an efficient manner, was offered the position of matron, and it was accepted by her. The trustees advertised in the iocal papers for an assistant matron, and as a result Miss Rogers, of .Nelson, was appointed to the post, and took up her duties on Starch 13th. ' "A canvass of the city for annual subscriptions was made by some kind lady collectors, with the result that £61 was collected. We have much pleasure in stating that the trustees of Mr W. V. Salter',s estate paid in the sum of £800 to the ' credit of the orphanage, and that the mortgage of £250 on the Kawai street propeHy has been paid off, f'nd also the sum of £110 owing to the Wakarewa trustees on account'of maintenance fees for the Tyrell family. The latter sum will be repai.l by the Tyrell ■ estate •in ■ due •course. "The thanks of the trustees are due to those ladies \vho visit the homes regularly, and exercise supervision over their "management. The children of our homes were not forgotten by kind and charitable friends, who sent to the honorary secretary presents of money, which were duly, spent'on behalf of the children in giving them Christmas cheer. The trustees beg to thank the donors for their kind, thoughtfillness, and to assure them that their gifts were much appreciated by the children as well as by the trustees." The report was adopted. The receipts showed: —Balance from previous year £.32 2s sd, received for maintenance of children £1032 0s 4d, subscriptions £72 14s, bequests £835 6s 3d, £800 having been received from the estate of the- late Mr W. V. Salter, Government subsidies £515 7s 6d, miscellaneous £32 os sd; total. £2522 15s lid. The expenditure included: Cost or maintenance of children £1305 4s 7d. odministration £29 16s 10d, miscellaneous £347 15s 2d (including repayment of a loan of £250). It was .stated that the liabilities included £283 5s 8d for accounts owing The receiving iiome in Kawai street, (building, land, and furniture) is valued at £1725, and the receiving home in Waimea road (building, land, and furniture) at £500. The statement waa received. Mrs Scaly, tliv Key. W. Baumber, and Mr W. W. Snodgrass (who were the retiring members) were re-elected astrustees. •_ Tlivi meeting then closed.