MOUNT MAGDALA ASYLUM

New Zealand Tablet, 15 June 1911, Page 1115

MOUNT MAGDALA ASYLUM

THE WORK THE INSTITUTION IS DOING ■ * fef? 0T k -vA ■ 1 ?' The death of Dean Ginaty has removed the founder of an institution that is doing valuable work for-humanity (says the Christchurch Press). When the Mount Magdala Home was. established in 1888, its purpose, was ,to afford fallen .women; of whatever creed or nationality, ah opportunity of leading a new life; and it has fulfilled that idea in splendid fashion. In addition . this V department of social rescue work, the institution; had attached to it some eight or nine; years ago an industrial school for girls, and this branch 'of the Home I has : also r placed the community under a debt of gratitude to it for making useful lives 7 out of material that but for its aid -might have drifted to ruin, is ■ Since the Home opened • its ' doors some twenty-three years ago,", it . has sheltered ’ between. 700 and 800 inmates, so a, reporter who visited the Home was informed by the Rev. Mother Superior. Some of those who pass through the institution go there of their own free will, others are sent there by. the order of a magistrate,' while others again ; are sent there ,by their; parents or friends." It is-reckoned by the authorities in charge of the Home, that in order that the, resolution to turn to; a better life may have a chance of becoming permanently* fixed in the character of the inmate,' she should stay in the institution at least two years. Some of the women that go there remain only six months, others stay two or four years, or more, and there * are ; cfy.es in .which inmates have grown to love the place 1 as : if it were their own home, which, in fact, the noble Sisters, of the Good Shepherd endeavor to make it for all who’seek their help. In such cases inmates have remained as long as twenty years in the care of the- Sisters. If any of the inmates are considered capable of filling situations, they are recommended by the Rev. Mother Superior, and are sent to them, and they are said to turn, out very well. In most cases the life at the .institution exerts a lasting- effect for good on those who spend any length of time there, more, especially in ther case of the younger girls, who are confirmed in good ways of . living before evil has had .time to claim them for its own. When a girl leaves the Home, the Sisters keep up - their connection .with. her. They exchange letters with her, and if she happens to 'bo near at hand, she visits them from time to time. The well known Mount Magdala laundry is run in connection with .the institution, and i the ! work done there provides funds for ithe upkeep;. of the Home. An interesting branch of work connected with the institution is a bootmaker’s shop. .. Here a number of the inmates, after receiving instruction from a tradesman, are able to manufacture useful boots ; for indoor wear for the use of the inmates. The amusement and recreation side of life is well looked after at the Home. There are the spacious grounds for rise- in fine weather, and a recreation room. for games and amusements. 1 Concerts are arranged, and those who show a desire to ’>learn singing, and possess voices that; can be - trained, have singing lessons given to them. .; ; Art needle .work, and fancy work of any kind that they have a liking for are taught ; the inmates, and some excellent specimens of work in this line! are turned ’out. At present there are 159 inmates in the adults’ branch of the establishment. In the children’s branch;there are 62 girls, the youngest being an infant only twelve months’ old. :,; This branch is kept entirely separate from the other, and is carried on in a different building. Some of these children are sent to the home by their parents, and some are orphans. The Sisters lavish, much care and attention on the little ones, who evidently occupy a warm place, in their hearts. The health of the inmates of the institution is remarkably 'good; and serious sickness is the exception, rather ' than the rule. ■ 7 y