CANTERBURY FEMALE REFUGE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4611, 6 February 1883, Page 3

CANTERBURY FEMALE REFUGE.

The annual meeting of the Canterbury Female Bofute Board, was held yesterday afternoon at the Oity Oounoil Chambers, at 4 p.m. The Bey J. B. Aldred, the Secretary, brought Bjp the report and balanco-saeet for the past year, the adoption of which was moved by the Very Bey the Dean, seconded by Sir J. F. Jameson, and carried.

The following is the report of the Ladies' Committee : —

" The Ladies' Committee of the Canterbury Female Befuge hare muoh ploasure in being able to give a satisfactory aocounb of the working of the Institution during the past year. On Jan. 1, 1882, there were 14 inmatea and nine infants; 11 admissions were made during the year, two of whom were reoeived into the Inetitution, eao h B jth an infant a fow daye old; 13 infantß hare been barn, of whom only two wore bojs. Out of the 13, one was stillborn and two died after a short illness, being weakly. Of tho 27 who havo been in the Refuge during the year, ten hare gone to situations after remaining with us their full time and behaving well, two were received baok by thoir friends, and one was assisted to go to Auckland, where she was married, on landing, to the father of her child. With one exception, all appear to be doing well, and from B©76tal the matron has received letters expressing gratitude for the kindness re.-eived while under her care j indeed, most of those who have exp* rienced her un wearying attontion retain a lively remembrance of tho some, and often writo or oomo to her aa a friend. Tho thanks of tho Committee are due, also, to Mr Hurgreaves and the Boy Mr Davidson, who have so regularly visited and held Bible classes and services with the girls during the past year. In Septombor diphtheria broke out among tho inmates. Tho reformatory being empty at the time, the doctor ordered the removal of the patients to that dopart- i ment. There were six cases in all, but, ! owing Vo the unremitting core and attention of Dr Stownrt and the matrons, all recoverod. In the Keformatory fourteen have been admitted during tho year, eight of whom had Jeft beforo tho outbreak of diphthoria ;' and we greatly rogrot to say not one apparently tho least improved by their stay in (.he institution, all returning at once to evil coureea. Sinco the end of November six women have applied for and reoeived admission, norm of whom had over done so before ; but under the kind and judicious management of Mrs Martin, who it act.ing as sub-matron, they are all behuving well, and most are anxious to remain their full timo and to lead a bettor life. This wo think causo for congratulation."

'Iho balance shoot shows that donations to the extent of £60 7s lid haro been received during the year ; that the earnings of inmates of tho Bofugo wc-o £264 18s lOd and the Government subsidy £189 lit. Iho working eiponnee during 1882 bavo been as noarly as poesiblo £700, und thoro is a credit balanco at the Bank of £39 2s 6d.

Tho Moot Rev the Priwato, the Very Bey the D;ftn, the R*v J. KlrosUe, His Worship tho Mayor, Meeara O, Booth, W. H. Packer, J. Andorson, J. P. Jamoaon, end tho Sev J. B. Aldred wore elected a General Oommitteo for the enuring voar ; and Mesdatnes Aiken (President), Inglia (Secrotarj), Anderson, Fenwiok, Gould, Hoy wood, Jacobs, Lowip, and Wobb tlie Ladies' Committee

On tho motion of Mr J. P. Jameson, seconded by tho Very Ror the Dean, the Bot J. B. Aid rod was acted to continuo tho Secretaryship, a honriy voto of thanks being givon to him and to Dr Stownrt for their aid during the pint ypnr.

Sheridan, boing on a parliamentary committee, one day entered toe room whan »)1 tho memben were icated and ready to begin business. Seeing no vacant place, he looked round the Üble and laid i "Will any gentleman more— that I may take Urn thafc."