PAPATOETOE ORPHAN HOME.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXIX, Issue 25, 21 December 1907, Page 29

PAPATOETOE ORPHAN HOME.

FOUNDATION STONE LAID. •Papatoetoe presented a gay appearance on Thursday, December 12, when the special train arrived with the visitors who went from town to witness the ceremony of laying the foundation stone of the Orphans’ Home. The railway station was decorated with flowers and evergreens, and a floral arch was constructed over the gateway through which the vice regal party drove to reach the Home site. A detachment of.the First Battalion of Auckland Infantry was in attendance as a guard of honour under Captain Plugge, with Lieutenant Cumming carrying the regimental colours. The City Band was also present, and the Otahuhu school cadets, under Captain Bullen. At the station the children of I’apatoetoe school were waiting, and welcomed the Governor, with three hearty cheers, whereupon Lord Plunket went and had a few words with the little ones. His Excellency was accompanied by Lady Plunket, Hon. Kathleen Plunket, Admiral Fawkes. Mrs. Fawkes, and Captain Lyon. A stand had been erected near where the ceremony was to take place, and this was decorated with flags. The architect, Mr. Goldsboro’, and the builder, Mr. C. J. Brook, were in attendance to assist in laying the foundation stone. There was a very large gathering of ladies and gentlemen, as well as the children from the Orphans* House, the Victoria Maori Girls’ School, and St. Stephen’s Maori Boys’ School. Amongst the clergy present were the Anglican Bishop of Auckland, and his chaplain, also Archdeacon Calder, Archdeacon Cummin (of Melanesia), Rev. Canon C. M. Nelson, Revs. E. J. Macfarland, E. C. Budd, J. Mason, N. T. Boyes, and Herbert Reeve. Othei- visitors were the Consul-General for the United States (Mr. W. A. Prickett), the Consul for Germany (Mr. Carr Seegner), Mr. R. A. Carr (Consul for Italy), Hon. Major Harris, M.L.C., Mr. W. H. Massey, M.P., Mr Frank Lawry, M.P., Messrs. J. 11. Upton, R. A. Carr, A. B. Roberton, C. Hudson, C. J. Tunks, R. Tudehope, Wm. Jeffrey, F. T. Ward, E. BrookeSmith, C. E. Histed, W. S. Cochrane. ADDRESS TO THE GOVERNOR.

The Rev. Canon C. M. Nelson, M.A., read an address to the Governor dealing with the past history of the Home. On behalf of the Board he thanked his Excellency for being present. Dealing with the financial aspect of affairs the address stated: —

The capital of the Home amounts to .£24,003, which was mainly derived from two legacies, one from the late Edward Costley, of £ 12,150, and one from the late William Arrowsmith, of £ 10,362. The income of this, together with the sums paid for certain children, provides for the maintenance of the Home. Since the 30th Novemlier, 1885, no subsidy has been received from Government, and since 1904 all subscriptions have as far as possible been caxried to the “New Building Fund Account.” The New Building fund now amounts to £ 5400,

but this amount is not made up wholly by subscriptions. It includes insurance money received after the fire. The late Archdeacon Samuel Williams promised £lOOO on condition that £4OOO was raised in subscriptions. This offer stands open until December 31st, 1907, and £740 is still required to complete the £4OOO. A sum of £5OO has been voted by Parliament payable as soon as a substantial part of the buildings is erected. If sufficient subscriptions are received to earn Archdeacon Williams’ offer the total amount of the building fund would be £6900. The portion of the new buildings now contemplated which will provide ample accommodation for 60 children will- cost about £ll,OOO, and the sum of £2OOO is still to be paid on acount of the land at Papatoetoe. In addition therefore to what has been already spent on the purchase of the land, fencing, planting of trees, etc., the Board have to face an expenditure of £13,000 towards which (if Archdeacon Williams’ gift is earned), there will be available the sum of £6900. It will therefore be necessary for the Board to borrow from their capital the sum of about £6500. This will mean a temporary loss in income of about £325 per annum. The Board, in consequence, appeal to the public of Auckland and people of New Zealand generally for donations towards the £740 required to earn Archdeacon Williams’ £ 1000, and for annual subscriptions. The necessity for the new buildings is urgent, and therefore the Board has no misgivings on the score of finance. Here the Board hope to build a home which shall be “home” indeed to the the orphan and destitute, and to train all such committed to their care to be good and useful members of society and loyal subjects of our Most Gracious King, for whose health, happiness, and welfare the Board will ever pray. Begging your Excellency to accept our assurance of devotion to the throne and person of our Sovereign Lord King Edward, and also of our sincere desires for the welfare, health, and happiness of your Excellency and family during your sojourn among us the people of this city. The address was signed by Canon Nelson (chairman), Messrs. V. Charter (vice-chairman), C. J. Tunks (hon. treasurer), L. E. Brooke-Smith (secretary). It was enclosed in a handsome cover, the front being a beautiful piece of bird’s eye totara, and the back mottled kauri, bound together with ribbons of chocolate and gold (his Excellency s colours). This beautiful casket was from the Tonson Garlick Company’s establishment. THE GOVERNOR’S REPLY. His Excellency, in reply, said: —“I beg to thank you for your kind welcome, and for the address which you have presented to me. The detailed history which you have just read is an interesting one, and clearly demonstrates the value of the work done in the past. I am well aware of the good work which is being carried out at the present Home, the tone which is set in the school, and the good manners and happy condition of the children. But it is very evident that the site and its restricted area form a serious drawback, and I am sure that amid these healthier and more agreeable surroundings the Orphan Home will add to its usefulness, and merit increased financial support. I note with satisfaction your expression of loyalty and devotion to his Majesty the King, and I thank you for your kind good wishes towards myself and my family, and I earnestly wish all prosperity to this valuable institution amid its new surroundings. The transfer of some 60 children to a better site may appear at first hardly an important event, and yet I think that in this small beginning you are to-day laying the foundation of an institution which, if it be wisely directed, will prove an inestimable boon to the widow and the fatherless, and as it grows in financial success, an honour to Auckland and a credit to the Dominion, and an assistance to the Empire. (Applause.) You are to-day seriously beginning to close up a gap in the ramparts of civilisation, which even the humanitarian legislation of this country has not provided for. There are, we know, excellent industrial schools, and an admirable system of boarding out destitute children in New Zealand, but the rampart still has gape. There are still numbers of children who do not, under present conditions, get a fair chance to live as they should in an ideal community, towards which New Zealand is always progressing. If I were asked by a foreigner to point

out the most practical social work of the Old Country, I should take him round the orphan homes established in England, Ireland, and Scotland, by the great companies, the different churches, the Freemasons, and private benefactors. There is plenty of room in New Zealand for such homes. At the present time we have not nearly enough of institutions to make up for the ones they have or lost; homes whore they will have healthy competition with other children, where they will be taught clean habits under good discipline, and where they will be influenced by a constant atmosphere of religion, without dogmatic theology. (Applause.) This has been done in your small school for many years past, and will no doubt be done in the larger schools, if only they receive proper support from the community. The children in this Home have not the criminal taint, for they do not come from evil surroundings. In no part of New Zealand have charitable appeals met with more generous support than in Auckland and its surrounding districts. To-day we are appealing for the orphan and the fatherless. What could be a greater cause for which to appeal for support? Knowing that this institution does good work, by what it has accomplished in the past, I commend it to your generosity—and to others who may read my words, 1 commend it with my whole heart.” (Applause.) The Bishop read the first part of the service, the band accompanying the hymns. His Excellency then duly laid the foundation stone, saying. “In the faith of Jesus Christ we place this foundation stone, in the Name of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost. Here let the true faith and fear of God, sound learning, useful industry, and brotherly love ever abide.” The mallet used by the Governor was of handsomely polished puriri, with a tewarewa shaft. In the head was a silver plate bearing the inscription: “Presented to the Right Hon. W. Lee, Baron Plunket, K.C.M.G., etc., Governor of New Zealand, when laying the foundation stone of the Orphans* Home, Papatoetoe.’* The representatives from the various schools then presented their offerings to Lady Plunket, who, in turn, laid them on the foundation stone. The total sum raised was £5O, including the offertory. The remainder of the service was conducted by the Bishop, after which Mr W. F. Massey, M.P., said he had been requested to convey to hi.< Excellency the Governor the hearty thanks of the Orphan Home Trust Board. It was a matter of congratulation that the representative of their Sovereign in this country had always been anxious to promote the moral and social well-being of the people. (Applause.) That Auckland citizens were never lacking in generosity was proved by the handsome bequests already on record, and he was sure that this institution would also be placed on a satisfactory financial basis. At the call of Mr. Massey, three hearty cheers were given for his Excellency the Governor, and three more for Admiral Fawkes. This concluded the ceremony, but before the visitors returned to town they were entertained to afternoon tea by the ladies of Otahuhu and Papatoetoe.