HAPPY CHILDREN

Wairarapa Age, 8 October 1926, Page 5

HAPPY CHILDREN

IN CECILIA WHATMAN HOME. A FINE INSTITUTION. WORK OF THE FIRST YEAR. Serving the interests of orphan and destitute children, the Cecelia Whatman Home, under the control of the Salvation Army authorities, has, in the first year of its existence, fulfilled to the highest anticipations the purposes for which the doner, Mr. A. T. Whatman intended it.

A representative of “The Age” haff the pleasure of being shown round th» Home on the occasion of the visit e£ the Minister of Education. Everything is so complete, the surroundings are so appropriate, and the evidence of the great work being accomplished is skj convincing, that it prompts nothing but admiration for the kindly spirit of the donor, and for the humane services of the Salvation Army officers. Although the institution was not officially opened until last December, some of tho children were actually in occupation at the beginning of August, ana with almost a year’s experience there is ample ion which to judge whether tho institution is fulfilling the purpoW for which it was intended. It takes little time in looking round the building, and observing tho healthy and happy condition of the children, To find an affirmative answer to this question.

At the present time the Home shelters sixty-one children—thirty-lhrOff beys and twenty-eight girls—TW younger children predominating. And sturdy children they are, with nuggety frames and rosy complexions, all bearing evidence of wholesome food and healthy outdoor upbringing. In the admission of children, each case is dealt with by the authorities on its merits. No hard and fast rule has been acthered to. In several cases of urgency' with parents in indingent circumstances, children have been taken In rft very short notice. Preference is give!! to the children of persons residing in the Wairarapa and to the children of soldiers, and it is gratifying to learn that every distressing Wairarapa case has been admitted. Soldiers’ children have been given favourable consideration, until now they comprise quite 50 per cent of the total population of th* Home.

In another direction the institution has provided timely aid to several young families where the stress of domestic affairs has rendered necessary temporary recourse to this haven. La each instance the staff have cared for the young people until their own homes were ready to take them back. It is a treat for both the eye and the heart to observe the fine health enjoyed by all the children; it would be difficult to find a more healthy group anywhere in the Dominion. “ Cleanliness is next to Godliness” is their motto, and in every respect it is carried out to the letter. Regular ablutions arc carried out in orderly manner, under the most hygienic conditions. A feature of the visit is a glimpse into the boys’ ablution quarters where twenty or more mites all washed and brushed up are seated, smiling and cheerful, and with the expectation of the tea bell on their faces. The diet appears to be well-balanced, and a peep into the dining room is one of the happiest moments of the visit. Meals are partaken under the family group system, the boys and girls being mixed together while each table is presided over by a member of the staff. The fare, of which there is undoubtedly plenty, gives due prominence to the value of fruit as a food, and apples are served out daily. This item of food is largely supplied by various local donors, while "a 'Greytown friend also as sists liberally. An extensive kitchen garden yields liberal supplies of vegetables, and the well-laden tables display an abundance of wholesome edibles. Pleasant Dormitories. The dormitories arc the last word in domestic hygiene; well-elevated, roomy, ai»y and with plenty of light, while they are kept scrupulously clean by the children. This is the only portion of the Home in which segregation is practised, and it would take a very discriminating eye to award to either sex the honour of the tidiest or cleanest dormitory. In every detail the Home is a model of systematic, yet economic housekeeping, and by 8.30 a.m. the duties usually allotted the housemaid are completed by the inmates who arc then prepared for school. The health of the children speaks well for the care and attention of Dr. Arche® Hosking, the medical superintendent. Much is yet to be accomplished on the grounds surrounding the Home, but time is necessary to produce the desired result in this direction. However, progress is evident, and the local nurserymen have greatly assisted by liberal contributions for beautifying the grounds. Little as yet has Keen attempted in the way of organised games, but the physical requirements of the children are well catered for in approved exercises, and modern playing apparatus. The formation of tennis courts and basketball grounds is contemplated. An Excellent School. Educationally, it is hoped to make use of the unique opportunities such a home offers. The school attached to the institution is under the control of the Wellington Education Board, is staffed by State teachers, and is attended not only by the children from the Home, but by others from the immediate vicinity. Similar features to those prevailing in the Home are observed in the school; clean, well-lighted rooms, good ventilation and individual desks providing most pleasant conditions for the scholars. It is the aim of the teachers to give the instruction a handwork bias. The builders and joinery factories of Masterton generously equipped a woodwork department, and the scholars are encouraged to utilise the facilities in the 1 manufacture of articles in which they are interested. The headmaster (Mr. Fieldhouse), who resides next door to the Home, has taken a keen interest in the development of craftsmanship, and has encouraged the boys to spend much of their leisure time before and after school in the woodwork room. The results speak for themselves. Within the Home a room has been set aside for the establishment of-ff library on adequate lines to suit juvenile requirements. The nucleus of a fund for this purpose has been donated by a well-known Wairarapa farmer, and with other donations of books a good start has been made. The children attend morning and evening prayers, while one service is attended on Sundays at the Army Barracks, and Sunday School is held at the Home in the afternoon. An Interesting Experiment. This is the only institution in New Zealand, and one of the few in the world under the control of the Salvation Army, which offers a home for both boys and girls. It is something in the nature of an experiment, and the results for the first year have proved eminently satisfactory. It is the aim of Adjutant and Mrs Batchelor and their staff, to so bring up the inmates that they miss none of the amenities of the best home life, and to cultivate in them the desire to live and work for their community. The Salvation Army authorities are to be congratulated upon their breadth of vision and their ability to evolve an institution worthy of the donor’s munificence. Mr. Whatman maintains a helpful personal interest in matters pertaining to the Homo, and in consequence there is daily evidence of considerable reciprocity between the Home children and ‘ ‘ Panama. ’ ’

Personal inspection impresses on visitors the magnitude of the work being done by the staff, and Adjutant Batchelor is pleased to show anyone interested over the Home. Visitin" hours are from 2 p.m. till 4 p.m. from Mondays to Fridays, or at other times by appointment. Saturday is Parents’ Dav.