WILLARD CHILDRENS' HOME.

White Ribbon, Volume 32, Issue 373, 18 July 1926, Page 1

WILLARD CHILDRENS' HOME.

ANNUAL ItETOUT. June 1D25. to June 11)26. Finance: In presenting the sixth Annual Report, I have pleasure in recording a year of steady progress. Although seemingly quiet, yet much useful work has been done. The Sewing Committee especially, have been very alive, and as a result of their efforts the Home is well stocked with clothing, and £66 has been added to the funds by Jumble Sales. Again we are indebted to the T.Ci. McCarthy Trustees, also the Trustees of the Lissie Rathbone Estate, for further grants of £l6O and £IOO respectively, and to them we tender -rateful thanks. We wish to record our thanks to the Trustees of th** late Mr Tristrain for a legacy, which has been promised, but not yet received, and we take this opportunity of thanking Mr Milverton for his generous donation of £llO Bs. 4d., also the Commercial Travellers’ for their generous support; also the Manawatu Rugby Football Fnion, the Waldegrave Estate, Manawatu Standard, Borough Council, P.N. Drapers' and Clothiers’ Association, W.C Y.U. Branches, and our annual Sub soribers. All these Ifodles have helped considerably in lightening our burden, and kept us free from financial worry. Accommodation: During the year flit l Committee have been considering schemes to extend their efforts, and plans and specifications of a proposed new building have been submitted. but at the moment of writing, the matter is held in abeyance, owing to part of the land being offered for

sale, and not yet disposed of. At the present, the Home is full, nineteen children being accommodated. During the year, i> children were admitted, and 2 discharged back to parents. The health of the children lias been very good, with the exception of a mild outbreak of chicken-

pox within the last few weeks, but under good care of the Matron, and her able assistant, all have now recovered. Once again. I am pleased to report upon the thoughtful and loving service rendered by our staff, and it is owing to their management that the Home is so capably and efficiently

run, and we tender to Matron .Anderson and Miss Pearce, our grateful thanks. Holidays: The Christmas School vacation was spent at Plimmerton Reach. The children spent ct very enjoyable time, and returned much benefited by the change. We take this opportunity of conveying our gratitude to Dr. Barnett, for his careful attention to the health of the children, to Dr. Hooper and Mr Tennant, for dental service, to the Picture Theatre proprietors, the Manawatu Competitions Society and Orient Lodge for entertainments, the Rotary Club, the Combined Motors’ Association, and Church of England Sunday School for picnics and pleasant outings; als* to Miss Fitzherbert for motor rides, to Mr Langridge for free carting of goods to and from Railway Station, to the Ford Motors for carting of firewood, to the Cuba Street Girls’ Bible Class. Congregational Sunday School, for Christinas Tea Parties, to a kind friend for Christmas Tree and tea. to the Mayoress (Mrs F. J. Nathan) and Mrs Cohen for Christmas treats

and Santa Claus, to the numerous friends who provided Christinas Cheer, and to the N.Z.I. Co., for presents of buckets and spades for the beach. Gifts of food, meat, clothing, fruit, vegetables, milk, toys, books, etc., coal and firewood have been received, and for these donations we have to thank the Manawatu Meat Co., Mr F. G. Darker, Mr Thwaites. Mrs Powell, Mr Owtram. Mr Swallow, G. H. Bennett and Co.. Mrs Finns, Messrs. Rutzbach Boniface Bros., J. Ellis, Picadilly Cake Shop, and the public generally, and

our warmest thanks are due to the local Press for kindly publishing the list of gifts each month. The Board's wannest thanks are due to Mr M. H. Oram, for legal advice, to the gentlemen of the Advisory Board for their interest ami work, to Mr C. F. Spooner, Custodian of old documents, to Miss Bryce, book-keeper, and Mr H. F. Wilson for auditing. Again, our appeal for eggs was liberally responded to, and we heartily thank all those who helped to increase our winter store. We gratefully thank the Church Socials and Harvest Festivals, for beautiful produce sent in. This not only adds variety to the childrens' diet, but is also eloquent of the kind thoughts of friends who think of our children, and who save the funds of the Home to the extent of many pounds. The Board desires to thank all those people near and far. who have assisted in any way. and rendered service to the Home.

In conclusion. I again solicit your support and help for the ensuing year, and trust that it may be one of prosperity.

E. BIRDSALL, Hon. Secretary