SOCIAL SERVICE.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18555, 30 April 1930, Page 11

SOCIAL SERVICE.

ANNUAL MEETING QF PRESBYTERIAN ASSOCIATION The annual meeting of the Timaru branch of the Presbyterian Social Service Association was held at St. Paul’s, Highfield, last night, the Rev. Begg, M.A., presiding over a fair attendance. The annual report stated that a jaragraph was appended to last year’s report, In reference to the lamented rieath of Miss Bruce, the matron, on April 6 last. The vacant position was filled by the appointment of Miss Thornton, and the committee expressed its appreciation of the services rendered to the Home by Miss Thornton and her assistants. Miss Jessie Milne resigned from the staff in April, and her place was filled by Miss Helen Malcolm, one of the girls brought up in the "Home. At the same time, Miss Nicholas was appointed first assistant. The committee also expressed atioih of the good service rendered by Miss Olive Stinson, who willingly came to assist for a few weeks at the time of Miss Bruce’s death, when help was urgently required. Seven children had been admitted to the Home during the year and there are at present 27 children being cared for—l 9 girls and 8 boys —the age of the youngest being 4£ years. All the children but one passed in their school examinations, and one joined the membership of the Church. No cases of sickness had occurred amongst the children. The usual Christmas party was held on December 17, when, thanks to the Bible classes and friends, the children were well provided with good things, and a happy evening was spent. A number of the children were out with friends during the school holidays. On Boxing Day, children and staff attended the Pleasant Point Sunday school picnic. Thanks were due also to the following who had entertained the children:— The North End Association, for an outing to the Opihi River; the Geraldine Girls’ Bible Class, for dinner, etc., m the schoolroom; the Automobile Association, for a picnic at Lyon’s Bush: the Orchestral Society, the Methodist Church, Chalmers Church, and the Grand Theatre for entertainments, also they appreciated the tuition in music given by Mrs D. Parkin, and the help given at various times by carowners. At the time of the harvest thanksgiving services, a great deal of produce, jam, etc., was received from congregations, and ‘he Young People’s Day effort brought in 340 dozen eggs Thanks were due to the Women’s Auxiliary for its continued interest, and to the women who week by week, went from Trinity, Chalmers and St. Paul’s Churches to help with the mending; to Dr Bums, Messrs W. H. Walton, A. C. Martin, and Gresson for their important help; to the Friendly Societies and the Rotary Club for gifts to the children; to the Girls' High School for a donation of £5, and to the Commercial Travellers for one of £33; to Miss Sherratt, of Geraldine, who this year, as last, organised a very successful concert for the Children’s Homes, their share of which amounted to £26.

The committee gratefully acknowledged bequests of £2OO from the estate of the late Mrs A. W. Hay, and £IOO from the estate of the late Mr Andrew Mcßeath. Also the generosity of Mr James Hunter, or Fairview, who had made a gift to the Home of his farm of 125 acres, the income from which would be paid to Mr Hunter during his lifetime. In moving the adoption of the report, the chairman said that everything m the Home had been going well, and the committee were very pleased with the good work Miss Thornton and her staff were doing. The committee were indebted to the women of the three churches who assisted in the service at the Home, especially for the great amount of mending performed by them. That very live body, the Women’s Auxiliary had been prominent during the year in many phases of activity. Mr Begg went on to speak of the committee’s indebtedness to all subscribers to the Home, stating that it was pleasing to see that contributions had increased during the past year. He paid tribute to the generosity of Mr Hunter, whose bequest, he stated, was a most unusual and valuable one. Mr J. Hutchison seconded the motion for the adoption of the report, stating that it was pleasing to see the Homa in such a happy and prosperous state. The motion was carried without discussion. The retiring members of the committee, Messrs W. Barney and W. H. Walton, were re-elected other members being, the Revs A. J. H. Dow, P. G. Hughes, T. Stinson, and Messrs D. Byers, G. J. Sealey and J. R. Snedden. Other officers elected were:—Hon. secretary, Mr J. W. Thompson; hon. treasurer Mr J. Hutchison. The Rev Frank Rule, Canterbury superintendent of the Children’s Homes, was welcomed by the chairman, who expressed gratification that Mr Rule had recovered after his recent illness. The superintendent spoke at some length on the history of the Social service movement in the Presbyterian Church, stating that the result of pioneer endeavour was-exemplified in the fourteen homes controlled by the church in this country. He was delighted to know that the Timaru Home was progressing so favourably. Other homes had had troubles, but he had no hesitation in saying that the bestplaced children’s home under the control of the church in New Zealand was in Timaru. (Applause). Supper was provided by the ladies, and the meeting concluded with the Benediction.