ABBOTSFORD HOME.

Waipawa Mail, Volume XLVII, Issue 60, 12 February 1926, Page 3

ABBOTSFORD HOME.

OFFICIAL OPENING CEREMONY. BISHOP’S ADDRESS. The clergy present at the official opening of Abbotsford Home on Wednesday afternoon included His Lordship the Bishop of Waiapu (Rt. Rev. Dr. Sedgwick), the Ven. Archdeacon Simkin, the Very Rev. Dean Mayne, Revs. Canon Cullwick, Canon E. Rice, Canon M. W. Butterfield, H. J. C. Bluthwayt, F. W. Whibley, W. Lea, B. R. Brierlev, H. Klingender, and J. B. Brocklehurst. The Rev. A. E. Hunt, Ilr'esbi|terian minister at Takapau, was also present. An apology was received for the absence of the Rev. F. W. Robertson, of Waipawa.

After the ceremonial as reported in our issue of Wednesday, the Bishop, addressing those assembled to assist in the function, said the delay which had occurred in officially opening the institution after the work of erecting Ihe building had been completed was in no way due to lack of interest on the part of the Diocesan authorities. It arose from two causes —they had to wait for the coming of electrical power and the arrival of the matron from England. The difficulty of securing a suitable matron was the greater, and in the name of the Chapter and the Diocese generally he extended to Sister Elsie a very hearty welcome to New Zealand, trusting that she would find here a sphere of joyous service. He hoped that she would learn to love the country, as he had done, and that Abbotsford Home would become a real home to her.

His Lordship then briefly sketched the history of the St. Hilda’s and Abbotsford Homes. The Diocesan authorities some years ago came to the conclusion that the time had arrived when it was their duty to provide for orphaned children, and this was brought more forcibly home to them during epidemic years. Accordingly a hous was leased in Waipawa and the work was begun in a small way. Miss Sybil Lee, Deaconess Esther Brand and Miss Waller were in successive charge of it, and when later a property was purchased in Otane Miss Waller continued in control. He considered it an inspiration that the Diocesan authorities came to Waipawa, because they had the good advice of the Rev. Canon Butterfield, who gave them a great deal of help, and they enlisted the sympathy of the people of Waipawa and district. In the name of the Diocese he wished to thank the citizens most sincerely for what they had done. He felt sure that that interest and sympathy would he maintained, that it would always he the desire of the people to help the Church in the care of God’s little ones.

The architect of the building, Mr W. P. Finch, had done his work well, end the contractor was entitled to a share of the credit for such a fine institution. His Lordship said he had sometimes been asked why two homes were considered necessary. The Dio•esan authorities believed that it was far better to keep down the numbers and give real home life, where the natron would be able to give the children individual attention. The com[ilement should never he more than"3o jr 40. No mother would like to have to look after 50 children; some could not manage seven or eight. Children were received from all parts of the Diocese; it was not merely a local institution.

The cost of the building had been £9346. They had received altogether from the Rathbone Trust £9687, which left them with £341 to put the grounds in order and provide some necessary articles of furniture. At this stage, His Lordship continued, he would like to thank all those who had responded so heartily to the appeal for gifts for the home. There.were still a few wants to fill. For instance there was only one chair in the institution, and they would like a few more gifts in this direction. But the greatest need of all was a chapel. Every institution of this sort should have a chapel. It was impossible suddenly to turn a noisy dining-room into a place of quiet and rest, and to secure the proper atmosphere. In connection with the preparations for the opening of the Home lie wished lo thank most sincerely Miss Waller and the ladies of Waipawa for their very great help, also the Rathbone Trustees for their donation of such a magnificent building. In conclusion His Lordship commended the Home, the matron and the children to the prayers and sympathy of the people, so that the Home may prove a worthy memorial to the late Mrs Rathbone.