THE ORPHANAGES

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19624, 19 October 1933, Page 3

THE ORPHANAGES

WORK AMONGST THE YOUNG APPEAL TO THE PUBLIC FOR HELP To-morrow the public of South Canterbury will have an opportunity of providing material evidence of their regard for the work being carried on in the three orphanages of this district— St. Saviour's Boys’ Home in Morgan’s Road, the Presbyterian Children's Home in North Street, and the Bramwell Booth Boys’ Home at Temuka—when a joint appeal for funds is to be made. The institutions which were started when times were brighter, have through the years been dependent on the goodwill of the public, and to-day, when finances generally are strained, the Committees find the work of maintaining their charges increasingly difficult. The three homes in South Canterbury are the headquarters of what must be regarded as one of the most important social works in any community. Many a child has been given what should be its just heritage—a fair start in life—and the good influences which are the basis of the training in the Homes, have left their mark on many citizens of to-day. A brief history of the institutions is given below.

ST. SAVIOUR’S HOME In a picturesque rural setting is the home of 64 boys under the care of St. Saviour’s Guild, with headquarters in Christchurch, the local needs being administered by a Timaru Committee. The Guild’s Timaru operations commenced in 1916, when a house formerly occupied by Mr John Hurdley was commissioned as a nucleus of the work. In 1917 the building of the present Home was started, but towards the end of the War, when the work was almost completed, the building was commandeered by the Government for use as an orthopedic hospital for returned soldiers. In the meantime the work amongst the orphans was carried on in houses owned by Mrs Howell and Mr Wallace in Marsden Road. In 1921 the Government handed the building back to St. Saviour’s Guild and the orphans moved into their new home which at that time was under the direction of the Ven. Archdeacon J. A. Jacobs.

Good Start In Life Children from the Christchurch Diocese are catered for and since the institution opened in Timaru many boys have been given a start in life which, owing to difficult circumstances in their homes, would otherwise have been practically impossible. It is estimated that an average of sLx or seven boys leave each year. They receive their education at the West School and sometimes arrangements are made for attendance at the Hish School. The majority after passing the sixth standard are found employment on farms, this department of the work being superintended by an AfterCare Committee. Before leaving the institution they are fitted out with a new outfit. It is arranged between the authorities and employers that the boys receive a small amount of their wages in pocket money, the remainder being forwarded to the Guild in Christchurch to be banked for them. When the lad reaches the age of 19. and is able to face the future on his

own,the bank book is handed to him, and he leaves the care of the authorities with, in many cases, a substantial balance and every best wish. From the time the boys are admitted into the institution until they depart every effort to assure their future welfare is made, and the fact that several old boys return to St. Saviour’s for their Christmas holidays is an example of the regard they have for the institution which is always their home. Mr S. Razell Wood is the present rector of the Home, the matron being Miss V. A. May. They have the support of a loyal staff, and that their efforts are well-directed is exemplified by the fact that St. Saviour’s boys are highly regarded in their school and in later walks of life. PRESBYTERIAN CHILDREN’S HOME TIMARU When the Christchurch Presbyterian Social Service Association was formed, South Canterbury was included in the district of which it was in charge. Children from South Canterbury were taken into the orphanage in Christchurch and the superintendent came occasionally into the Timaru Presbytery conducting services in the churches and receiving contributions for the work of the Association. The contributors however, were comparatively few. During the war period the Homes in Christchurch were becoming short of room and it was thought advisable to establish a branch Home in Timaru. By giving visibility to the work and by bringing it into close touch with the people of South Canterbury it was considered interest would be aroused amongst them in the social service work and that the pressure in Christchurch would be relieved. A deputation from the Christchurch Association consisting of the Rev. Dr. Irwin, Mr Boag and the Rev. Frank Rule came

to the Timaru Presbytery and urged the formation of a branch in Timaru. The idea was favoured by the Presbytery and a committee was appointed consisting of the ministers of Timaru, Rev. T. Stinson (coverner), Rev. A. Begg and Rev. E. R. Harries with Messrs Byers, Bowie, Hutcheson, Dalgliesh, Palmer and Maxwell. Mr. Bowie was appointed secretary and Mr Hutchison, treasurer. This committee set to work at once, inspecting various properties that were offered with a view to to the establishment of the orphanage. Eventually the committee decided to recommend the purchase of the fine brick residence of Mr E. J. Le Cren, in North Street, with 11 acres of land, at a cost of £3OOO. The recommendation was adopted and the Children’s Home In North Street was opened on November 14, 1918 by Miss K. J. McLean. Sister Margaret and Miss Bruce came from Christchurch to take charge of the Home and brought with them 16 children—the first Inmates of the Heme.

The Presbyterians of South Canterbury supported the work with remarkable generosity. Before long the fine property was free of debt. Subscriptions came in freely and many remembered the work of the Home in their testamentary arrangements. During the period the Home has been in existence 63 children have been fed clothed and trained and quite a number have secured employment. It is gratifying to know that the spiritual needs of the children are not being neglected, as evidenced in the success of the Sunday School examinations, and the fact that numbers have joined the church; others have joined the choir, and a number are teachers in Sunday School and members of Bible classes. The present matron is Miss C. J. Campbell and her staff is Mrs G. Fisher and Miss Simpson. There are at present 25 children in the Home and four senior boys in the Christchurch j Home, for whom the local committee \ are responsible. !

BRAMVVELL BOOTH BOYS’ HOME TEMUKA Ideally situated, both from an aesthetic and a practical point of view, the Bramwell Booth Boys’ Home, which is conducted by the Salvation Army, is located about a mile from Temuka on the main road to Milford and Clandeboye. Formerly the home of Colonel J. T. M. Hayhurst, it was the homestead of the Green Hayes Estate, and is particularly well built and commodious. There from 40 to 60 boys of all denominations are cared for every year. Trained in housework from an early age and later encouraged to perform all manner of useful tasks, the boys pass out into the world useful and well furnished citizens, able to fend for themselves and to take up some trade with credit to their guardians. The Home was officially opened on July 16, 1916, and ever since has placed a large part in the community life. Adjutant Cresswell, now retired, was the first manager. With a bequest from the will of a great friend of the Army, the Watt-Lowry School was built in the grounds of the Home in 1917. For the first few years, the education of the boys was directed by the Salvation Army, but in 1926 the Government took over control of the school and It became a side-school of the Temuka District High School Sufficient for the early requirements of the founders were the original buildings, but by 1921 the necessity for extensions was becoming urgent. Just as definite action was about to be taken by the Army, the gift of a handsome dining-room, now known as the Eliza Smart Wing, was made. This practically fulfilled the immediate requirements, and the falling off in numbers since has left the Home well equipped in the matter of sleeping and living quarters.

Farm Training At present the Home carries a staff of four women officers and two men, and to assist them in the great amount of work there is to do, each boy, until he reaches the age of leaving school, has a certain task each day to perform. By this means all the washing, cleaning, cooking and general housework is performed, and in addition the boys learn to repair their own boots, mend clothes, and do other practical work. In some cases the training has left its mark on ex-pupils, for the chefs in a number of the Peoples Palaces’ of the Dominion are men who have passed through the Bramwell Booth Boys' Home. The Home is made as self-supporting as possible. A fairly large farm is run, on which the older boys who have left school work. All classes of practical farming are undertaken, the instruction being given by a resident officer appointed specially for the purpose. All the butter, milk, eggs, vegetables, and fruit that is needed in

the year comes from the Home itself. The benefits of this are double, for while carrying out the work the boys become well equipped to take up positions on farms about the district. Needless to say the administration of a place like the Bramwell Booth ; Boys' Home is not easy, but the i authorities have been fortunate in that . a very fine type of officer has always occupied the chief executive position. ■ The present very able managers are , Adjutant and Mrs H. Chard, who some i years ago were on the farm portion of the home. The farm manager at i present Is Adjutant Elston.