SOCIAL SERVICE

Timaru Herald, Volume CL, Issue 22064, 10 September 1941, Page 3

SOCIAL SERVICE

Year Reviewed

Presbyterian Association

“The year under review has "been a good one,” states the annual report to be presented at the twenty-second annual meeting of the South Canterbury Presbyterian Social Service Association next Tuesday.

“Twenty-five girls and boys are under the care of our Association,” the report continues, “of whom five boys are in the Christchurch Home, and the other twenty children in our Timaru Home. The health of the children has been excellent. The matron and her staff have continued to give valued service, and constant care is taken, not only of the children’s general well-being, but also that they may develop a natural and happy religious experience. During the year three of the senior girls were received into Communicant membership at Trinity Church. An innovation that has been much appreciated is the arrangement by which on one Sunday a month, the children are invited for dinner by members of Trinity Church. Matron’s Report “At present we have twenty children in our Home: sixteen girls and four beys. Eleven girls and four boys attend the Timaru Main School.. There are three who are not yet of school age. All the. children, are very happy and CQritented. They are keenly interested in all the activities of the Church and Sunday School. They are very fond of all kinds of sport such as basketball, tennis and football. Two. of our senior girls have been placed in positions wi :’a business firms, and reports speak :ry favourably of them. After ten years service, Mrs Fisher has resigned her position as sub-matron in the Home, owing to ill health. Miss Jean Campbell is filling the position temporarily. 1 would tender my sincere thanks to the Women’s Auxiliary and the P.W.2 i ladies for their time spent in darning and mending, and for their numerous gifts. Our work would be much more difficult if it were not for these ladies and the many kind friends who remember us in all manner of ways, sharing our work with us. The town and country parishes have again sent liberal gifts of produce, jam, fruits and eggs. Legacy From Feil.u.g "Mr J. A. Norrie and Mr E. C. Fairmaid, who have served the committee faithfully and acceptably, retire this year, but are eligible for re-election. The Calendars in 1941 were issued in November last, and the committee is grateful to the Bible members, ministers and friends who sold them, iter paying the cost, we netted £l5/18/3. In the past the ‘Home’ h-.s benefited oy many gracious gifts by way of legacy. This year we received an addition r,o the number, by a legacy of £lOO, in the Estate of the late Miss A. Young, of Feilding. In consultation with and under the oversight of Mr A. W. Anderson, Borough Curator, extensive alterations in the lay-out of the grounds of the Home were carried out during the year. A simplified arrangement of flower-garden plots was made and a row of fruit trees planted. Women’s Auxiliary The Women’s Auxiliary of the Children’s Home, which has as its object the supply and up‘-”ep of the linen and soft furnishings of the Home, has been functioning for many years. This year the sum of £25 was raised, and so we were able to replenish the stocks of linen anc blankets as well as pre - ' ling new curtains. Members are from the three Presbyterian Churches in Timaru, and from all Churches in the Timaru Presbytery. Timaru members visit the Home each week to help with the mending and darning. This ymembers also helped by knitting jerseys for the children. This was of considerable help to Miss Campbell, who up to the present has done all the ’ 11ting herself. We would welcome to our Auxiliary every woman who is interested in the work for the children, ",’e take this opportunity of thanking those who work, and also those who so generously supply us with the necessary means.

“Study of the statement of receipt: and expenditure shows the finance, generally to be in a healthy state.

against a deficit of £lOB last j :ar, there

is a credit balance of £44 this year. This credit balance will be needed for necessary purcha - of new bedding, etc., that are under order. One disquieting factor is the decrease in contributions from congregat pns, Bible Classes and Sunday Schools, t..t, on the other hand, there has been a pleasing increase in contributions from relatives and guardians, and in subscriptions from members.”