PEOPLE TALKED ABOUT

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXV, Issue 13, 30 September 1905, Page 2

PEOPLE TALKED ABOUT

St. Andrew's Church and Mr. William Culpan. On Wednesday evening, 20th instant, an interesting gathering of members and friends of this church was held in the new hall. The special reason of the gathering was to do honour to Mr. WmCulpan, who, for over 36 years, has been organist of St. Andrew’s Church. When a very young man he was induced

by the Rev. Mr. Bruce (now Dr. Bruce, of Sydney), to undertake the direction of the service of praise, and with the utmost faithfulness he has remained at his post during all those years. Now Mr. Culpan feels that he has not the time to devote which the work requires. On Wednesday evening many friends gathered to testify their esteem. The chairman I the Rev. Henry B. Cray), the Rev. R.

Somerville, ami Mr. T. I’eaeoek voiced the feelings of the meeting as regards Mr. Cui pan's character and work. Apologies were received from Mr. Wm. Gorrie and Mr. G. J. Garland, and interesting letters were read from Rev. W. Beatty, of St. Mark's and Rev. W. Day, of Mount Eden, who would have been present but for other engagements. In the course of the evening a handsome illuminated address was presented to Mr. Culpan. In making the presentation, the Rev. Mr. Gray emphasized what Mr. Culpan had done for the choir, and congregation of St. Andrew’s, and how with ungrudging generosity he had expended money and time and labour in the work of the eh m eh. The speaker referred also, and more especially to Mr. Mr. Culpan’s qualities as a man. the staunchness of his friendship, his generous neadiness to help wherever it was in his power, and his genial, kindly maimer. It was the fr-ling of many who knew Mr Culpan well, that an rtddress, stating his long connection with the church and choir. Mould be fhf- most acceptable form of gift. But flic response of the congregation was swMi that it was also his duty to hand to Mr. Culpan a purse containing a number of sovereigns, hoping that he would expend the money on some object that would lie to him and his family a permanent memorial of the elnirch's gratitude. Mr. Culpan. in thanking the congregation for the gifts. Baid that, while he was withdrawing from the active duties of organist, bls interest in the old church would remain as strong as ever, and that he would be glad to do anything he could at any time to promote its welfare. In the course of tire evening musical items were contributed by Misses Chapman and Jones, and songs by Miss Aicken. Miss Gilmour, Mrs. Geddes, Mr. Rowe, and the Waiata Quartette. The following is a eopy of the address:— “Dear Sir. —On the occasion of your retirement from the oilice of organist of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, the congregation desire to express their appreciation of the services you haw? rendered in that capacity for a period extending over 36 years. They recognise that these services have b-cn rendered with ungrudging generosity, and that your kindly manner lias done much to promote goodwill among the members of the choir and the church generally. They also recognise the many ways in which you have proved a valuable helper in the practical work of the church, and hope you wilt be spared for many’ years to go in and out amongst us. On behalf of the congregation: Henry 15. Gray, minister; John Reid, session clerk; John J. Ker. secretary of the Board of Managers. Auckland, Sept. 20, 105. « « « » « The Waifs' Friend. In view of the cabled news of the death of Dr. Barnardo, the following from “M.A.P.” possesses additional interest:— Dr. Baruado has just turned (Ml years of age. and to-day he has under his charge some 9(100 waifs and strays whom he has rescued from the depths and means to make into good, honest citizens. It was a curious incident that led him to institute these Homes for the waifs. He was then a medical student at the London Hospital, and one night his front door opened, and a dirty little ragged urchin put his head round the corner and asked if he might stay there the night. Barnardo jokingly asked him what his mother would say if he granted the request. ‘‘Ain't got no mother,” responded the waif. ‘‘Well, then, what would your father Bay?” asked Barnardo. "Ain’t got no father.” “Where do you live?” “Xowlieres.” “Are there many homeless children' like you?” “Lots of ’em! Conic* and see.” Barnardo did not go at once. Instead, he whited till a few nights afterwards, and when dining with some Wealthy friends ho mentioned Hie iuoi-

dent, and asked some of those present to go with him and prove the urchin’s story. Not many volunteered, but among those who did was the famous Earl of Shaftesbury. They went together, and the Earl, seeing for himself bow frightful was the life these innocent wait's were' compelled to live in the slums, helped Barnardo to form a little home in a back-street, ami here the first 25 waifs were housed and fed. That was the beginning of one of the greatest philanthropies! projects. Compare it with the Barnardo Homes of to-day! Out of nearly 56,000 children rescued by Dr. Barnardo, up to the end of last year, from the very worst centres of destitution and crime, 16,160 had been sent by him to the British colonies. Of these, 11,440 were boys and 4247 girls, whose new* home was made for them in Canada, while the remaining 473 girls and boys were placed in good positions in Australia. New Zealand and South Africa. The questions may arise: Is it advisable to dump so many “slum children” upon a new’ and largely undeveloped country? Are not the children of a class which may prove detrimental to a land which has barely laid the foundation of its population? Sufficient answer lies in the fact that Dr. Barnardo has pledged himself to the Canadian Government not to send out any boy or girl who is mentally, morally or physically weak. No longer, indeed, can Dr. Barnardo’s wards be called "slum children” by the time they arc ready for emigration, for from dirty, underfed and often lawless youngsters he quickly transforms them into clean, weltnourished and obedient boys and girls, who can and do hold their own with the children of the working classes everywhere. It costs £lO to send a trained, healthy and energetic child to one of our colonies, und the results bo far liave been so uniformly excellent that the money is well spent from every point, of view. In Canada Dr. Barnardo has his own training farm, covering thirteen square miles. On an average 12,000 children apply each year for admission to the Barnardo Homes. The circumstances of each case are carefully inquired into, and no child who is found to be destitute is ever refused admission. Of the 12,000 applicants about 4000 are found to be genuine cases, and are taken into the homes; and of these a fourth eventually become colonists. In the Barnardo Home for Boys at Stepney are several workshops, where the lads are made skilful as bakers, blacksmiths, carpenters, engineers, printers, tailors, tinsmiths, boot, brush, harness and mat makers. Food and clothing in plenty are always ready for the boys' w ho show’ a keen interest in their work. Girls are housed mainly’ at the wonderful model village at Barkingside, Ilford, where over fifty neat, detached cottages, specially erected for the waifs in beautiful grounds, are peopled entirely by girls and the ladies in charge. In this village the girls are so thoroughly trained for domestic service that the demand for them is always far bigger than can be supplied.