Abbotsford Home, Waipawa

Waiapu Church Gazette, Volume 36, Issue 9, 1 December 1945, Page 12

Abbotsford Home, Waipawa

The total number of children m the. Home at this date is thirty-one, being made up of fourteen boys and seventeen girls, m each case the eldest child is sixteen years of age and the youngest four years. There are also two grownup boys still living at the Home, one being apprenticed to the carpentering, trade and the other one is working as handyman at the local hospital, thus bringing the total number of our family up to thirty-three. Six children are attending High School, twenty-two are at Primary School and three are pre-school age. From these ages it will be appreciated the immense amount of work entailed m running the Home, and I would like to pay tribute here. to my, assistant, Miss Tocker, or "Tock," as she is affectionately called by the children, whose cheerful manner and wonderful help, and loyalty has made my task so much easier, and to June, who has grown up at Abbotsford and is now a bright and willing helper, I also say "Thank you." I would also like to adcTmy sincere thanks to our Chaplain, the Rev,. W. S. C. Stephens, who is always ready to help us m so many ways.. "We all look forward to his visits and the celebration of* Holy Communion, which he takes m our Chapel every fortnight is a real source of inspiration to us. Since mylast report we again have a Bishop at home m the Diocese, and it is with much pleasure that we have had several visits from His Lordship already. As a result the Bishop now knows many of the children by name and has a thorough knowledge, of the home. * -. The health of the children has been excellent throughout the year, there being no serious sickness. . School reports have been quite satisfactory. Elaine, our little six-year-old deaf girl, *is now a pupil at the Primary School, and is making quite good progress. Five of our boys belong to the local Scouts and two . are A.T.C. cadets; all have attended their camps from time to time. We are proud to have four boys and "June" members of the St. Peter's Church Choir. The usual Summer holiday was again made possible 'by the generosity of Mrs. Forbes McHardy, and a very happy and healthy four, weeks was spent on the beach at Aramoana. May I, as Matron of this Home, make some reference to the late Mr Forbes McHardy? The memory of this

Christian gentleman will ever remain m Abbotsford. Through his passing we have indeed lost a valuable friend. Miss Thomas, yet another very loyal and loved friend of the family, has also passed away recently, at her home m Christchurch after a long period of patient suffering. She spent v a few weeks with us just two and a-half years ago. No building extensions can be con r sidered^at these times, but I wpuld like to. point out the necessity of having a room m which sick children can be kept apart from others. At present there is no provision made for this. Our two visitors, Mrs J. Bibby and Mrs H. White, take a very keen interest m the welfare of the Home. The" annual visit - .to Abbotsford from. the members of the local branch of the Mothers' Union was greatly appreciated by all. Local folk have been very thoughtful and generous to us and we are deeply grateful to them. To Doctor Norris and to Mr. .Woods and the Dental Nurse, who have taken such care of the children's health and teeth, we owe a. debt of gratitude. '" Once again we thank all who have so kindly sent us gifts throughout the year. The various parishes for their Harvest Gifts, St. John's Dorcas Society, the Kaiti Ladies' Guild and others who have. sent, us so many warm and useful garments. The Sunday School children'f or their Christmas and Easter gifts. We are truly, grateful to you all.. We thank, too, Mr. Milne and Mr. Greenwood for keeping us so well supplied with apples, and the Waipukurau Transport Company for so kindly conveying the., family and their camping outfit to and home again from the beach. The Waipukurau Rotary Club for their delightful picnic and to all who remembered our family at Christmas time with gifts of cakes, fruit, books and cash donations, .we are very grateful. .Especially do we thank Mrs. A. <S. Wilder, -of Wallingford, who is so very kind and generous to us-all at Christmas time. In conclusion, I would like to thank Mr R. E. H. Pilson for his real interest m the Home, his patient consideration of all our needs and his prompt attention to our many requirements, L. E. JOHNSON. . Matron.