ST. SAVIOUR’S GUILD.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, Issue 18084, 18 November 1924, Page 4

ST. SAVIOUR’S GUILD.

ANNUAL MEETING. Tho annual meeting of subscribers to the St. Saviour’s Guild was held 111 St. Mary’s schoolroom last evening. The chairman, of the Institutions Committee, Mr C. G. Bryun-lving, presided over a good attendance or supporters, including the Yen, Archdeacon Julius, and the Rector (Rev. L- A. Knight).

ANNUAL REPORT. . The annual report stated that during the year various changes in the stalt of the Home had occurred, consequent upon the departure of Archdeacon and. Mrs and Miss Jacob, and the impossibility of securing a rector and matron to take over from them. The magnificent self-sacrificing work performed by the trio mentioned, could not be adequately described. Miss Holland, who relinquished her position of acting matron some few months ago, devoted her whole time to the care of the boys, and the committee felt that those wlio had tho interests of the homo at heart _ owed her a real debt of gratitude. Mr ; H. M. Bannehr (secretary and trea- ! surer) undertook a big task when lie acted as rector for many weeks at the , same time carrying out his multifarious duties. Had he not ..otue to then assistance, as als.o did the Rov. It. It. Malden and the Rev. and Mrs J. Holland, they dare not contemplate the state of chaos which would have . resulted. They were. indeed grateful, to receive the application ot the Rev. L. A. Knight, M.A., who was instituted as rector on June 25. Mrs Knight had acted as matron since Miss JAelland’s departure, and the committee fervently hoped they would find the work congenial. Dr. \V. H. Unwin had again given his gratuitous services, and the care of a family of eighty-four boys, subject to the various epidemics, naturally made a heavy call upon the time of a busy surgeon and physician. They were also very gratelul to Mr C. C. Paterson lor the time and trouble expended on the care of the boys’ teeth, to tho Hospital authorities, various Ladies’ Guilds, and all donors of gifts. It would be unwise to endeavour to thank all goocl friends by name, as omissions would doubtless occur, but to all who contributed in any way to that work iliey expressed grateful thanks. The subscribers would be glad to know they had an excellent staff at : the Home, composed ot the typei whose motive is “service.” anc it was tlie wish of the committee that a tennis court should be laid down for their use in the few hours they have for recreation. ' .There had ever existed the need' of a suitable playground tor tlie boys, and they had pleasure ip stating that one had been prepared and planted, and should be fit for use next spring. In. conclusion the leport stated that several boys would bo leaving school at the end of the year, when it would be required to find them, employment, and it was their hope that everyone interested would keep that fact un view and communicate "With, the Rector should they know of any suitable .position. ' " ' ■ 1 The report was adopted. :

ELECTION OF OFFICERS. ■_ Tim election of officers resulted as follows: —Mesdames G. S. Cray, \V. xj, Unwin, T. Taylor, and Messrs O, G. 'Bryan King, C. Hammond and: •,M. Oram. , • ■ The chairman said he would like to take that opportunity oir welcoming for the second time tho Rev'. Knight, Rector of the Homo. l ; ie had vacated a cure in the Christchurch Diocese, and had come prepared for ii.big .task. (Applause.) . , The Ilev. Mr Knight thanked those present for the kind welcome afforded. He said that he had come prepared to learn, and as far as he could see, would go on learning' for a long time to come. Eighty-four boys were a big responsibility, and in taking that responsibility he had no doubt but that lie would make some mistakes. \\ hue quite aware of that fact he intended to do his very best. (Applause.)

GENERAL. • • , The Ven. Archdeacon Julius moved as a recommendation to - tlic incoming committee that copies- of the balance sheet be forwarded for perusal at the animal meeting of subscribers in boutli Canterbury. , , . Mr H. M. Bannehr, secretary and treasurer of the Guild, explained that the headquarters of the Guild were situated in Christchurch, and the. buJance sheet was brought forward ior discussion at the annual meeting of the Guild, which was held at Chvistchuich. All animal subscribers were provided with a copy of the balance sheet. • The chairman stated that it would bo quite possible to obtain a supply ior distribution at tlie local Tlie motion was carried.

THE GUILD’S WORK. Mr Bannehr, secretary of the Guild, in explaining the work carried out unriug the year, stated that consuletaiuo difficulty had often been experienced in obtaining maintenancedrom the parents of some children taken in by tlie homes. Last year they collected as much as £2564 in maintenance, and even their worst enemies could not say that they encouraged loalers to neglect their responsibilities. (Hear, hear.) He was quite satisfied ■ hat there was not yet enough enthusiasm shown m the work. The future of tlie country depended on the children. In then homes they had 240 children, and was a big task to provide and care tor them. Those who had families of three and four could possibly realise the magnitude of the task, but those who did not havo family responsibilities could hardly realise the enormity ot the task that daily confronted the Rector ot the Timaru Home. He would like to emphasise the urgent necessity ot the parishioners working up more enthusiasm in regard to orpnanage work, and to realise' that the Girls Home was as much their homo as the Boys Home, and work accordingly It had often been said that the Guild fai.ed in its work in not being able to take in children tinder the age of two years. It had been pointed out by no less an authority than Dr. Truby King, that 'up to that ago was a practically vital stage, in child' life. V ndt r r t \ mt i the children were previously boarded out, but it was decided that it was essential to the work of the Guild to possess such a home. Rock \illa, a very suitable place, situated at Sumner-, was purchased at a cost ol i..v,UU, and was transformed into a balnes home, accommodating 25 children without the necessity of making any structural alterations-.- Provided the eases wore necessitous, temporary cases apart from destitute cln dren were often taken in, and for that part of

the work alone the'Guild had received great credit from many social workers. At the Home nurses were also trained on Karitane lines, and in that conncc■lion girls were occasionally transiency from tho Girls’ Home, where it was seen that suitable girls were available for that, class of training. The care-or boys and girls after leaving tho homes was also a big problem, and tho successful handling of the task ie 1 on the shoulders of all. In conclusion he would like to thank them all for the manner in which they had supported the Guild, and especially Mr Bryan King for tho very able manner in which he had backed him up in South Canterbury. . (Applause.)