Home of Compassion, Wellington

New Zealand Tablet, 1 December 1921, Page 33

Home of Compassion, Wellington

(From our own correspondent.)

The committee who are voluntarily raising funds for the Home of Compassion at Island Bay are working enthusiastically to make the appeal a success. Over £9O was added to the fund the other week, £32 being realised by a jumble sale in Tory Street and nearly £6O by Mrs. Dan Burke at an evening given at her home in Brooklyn. Tho annual gift tea, held at the Home of Compassion, took place on Thursday, the 17th inst., and there was a very large attendance, the day .proving unexpectedly fine and pleasant. General regret was expressed that-Mother Aubert was not well enough to receive the guests herself, but the Sisters made ample amends in their attention to all present, and everywhere wishes were expressed for Mother Aubrt's speedy return to health. The home entirely thrown open, and the visitors were shown over it by the Sisters and friends. The nursery, as usual', was a source of the greatest interest. There are now 26 babies there, •of whom there are two pairs of twins, all girls. The tiny cots, and baths and cupboards were inspected, and appealed to the hearts of all mothers. The new women's ward upstairs was also visited, and much interest shown in it, as this is the first time it has l)een thrown open to the public. This new ward has been formed ,by enclosing the large open space near the incurable girls' ward. This has been nearly all glassed in, and made into a bright, sunny sitting-room, for the women incurables, who were moved ■■ here from Buckle Street. Their night ward is beside it, and beyond is the girls' ward. There are 50 women in this ward now, so that the task of attending to these unfortunates is no light one, and is cheerfully performed by the Sisters, who are giving their lives to such work. At the other end of the corridor a similar space has also been enclosed, and made into a- boys' dormitory. The home now domiciles 120 people, including the incurables and the children, and the numbers of the latter.have increased of late years, so the work has become much more extensive, .and the expenses of the home greatly increased. It is to pay for these additions that the appeal for funds now before the public is being made. After inspecting the rooms, the visitors repaired to the dining-room, where afternoon tea was served, daintily set out at small tables, each decorated with flowers. The Sisters served tea, with the help of friends of the home. Delightful selections were played by Cimino's band, stationed in the hall, and the gifts, of which there were many, both in money and kind, were received in a room near the entrance. , Mother Mary Aubert and the Sisters of the home are very grateful to all those who brought gifts and who assisted them during the afternoon. <~X> Lord! let me know Thee, and let me know myself .—St. Augustine.