ST. VINCENT DE PAUL'S ORPHANAGE.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVIII, Issue 42, 18 October 1900, Page 20

ST. VINCENT DE PAUL'S ORPHANAGE.

A few weeks ago we mentioned that the Rev. Father Coffey had, at the request of hi« Lordship Bishop Verdon, gone on a collecting tour through the diooese of Dunedin on behalf of St. Vincent de Paul's Orphanage, South Dunedin. We are pleased to hear that Father Coffey has made a most successful beginning in the Tuapeka district, where, after a three weeks' canvass, he received about £200. The result so far is highly creditable to the zeal of the rev. collector, and especially to the generosity of the people of the district, among the contributors being many non-Catholics, who took the opportunity of showing in a practical manner their appreciation of the work done at the orphanage, and their disapproval of the action of certain parliamentary representatives who desire to cut off all Government aid to such deserving institutions. It ia now a little over two years since the orphanage at South Dunedin was opened, and during that time 65 children have been received there. It is needless for us to tell our readers that these children have been sent there so that they might be saved from the contamination of their * surroundings. Theße are clothed, educated, and trained in domestic duties, and when of a suitable age are sent out into the world often better equipped for the battle of life than many children brought up in their parents' homes. Spaaking in the Legislative Council the other day the Hon. Dr. Grace told his brother legislators what was being done for the children at St. Joseph's Orphanage, Wellington, an institution conducted on somewhat similar lines to that at South Dunedin, and that when the girls who hud been out at domestic service were waiting for a situation they made the orphanage their home. That 65 children have found a home in St. Vincent de Paul's Orphanage in the short space of two years shows that the necessity of such an institution existed. The good Sisters are doing a noble work, and it is for the Catholics of the diocese to show their appreciation. As we have said, the people of Lawrence and district have responded to the appeal of the Rev. Wther Coffey in a most generous manner, and set a good example to tho3e of other places. We undeistand that Father Coffey will take the Cromwell district next and will collect during the coming week in Alexandra and Clyde.