The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29. 1889. THE MAGDALEN ASYLUM.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 2266, 29 October 1889, Page 2

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29. 1889. THE MAGDALEN ASYLUM.

The good Father Ginaty has issued his annual appeal to the Christian public and the benevolent of all creeds on behalf of the noble institution with which, as its founder, his name will ever be associated — the Magdalen A syluna, at Mount Msgdala, Christchurch. The foundation stone ot the present building was, it will be remembered, laid about three years aagino — m 1886,— and the first wing was opened m July last, over £11,000 having been expended on the buildings and land, of which rather more than half has been raised m response to the appeals of the Rev Father. The Fund was initiated by a bequest of £2000 by the late Captain Maxwell, to which a lady, not resident m New Zealand, added 5700, and a friend of that lady £100 more. Then came one donation of 120 guineas, one of 110, five donations of a hundred guineas (or pounds) each, six of fifty, three of twenty-five, twenty of ten, sixty-one of five, a few of four or three each, and a large number of smaller subscriptions, ranging from two guineas down to one pound each. Besides theße there have been p»id into the fund £100 as the proceeds of a performance given by the Christchurch Operatic Society, and several considerable sums raised by special efforts m different places or contributed by anonymous subpribers, and there are also acknowledged valuable gifts for the use of the inmates, including a piano, two milch cowe, cases of boots and shoes, flannels, calicoes and dres^naterials, blankets, coverlets, sheeting e^c, besides gratuitous labor given m connection with the buildings and grounds. All these generous aids are thankfully acknowledged by Father Ginaty, but as will be seen a a sum of £5000 more ii needed to complete the building fund. When this is known we feel sure that an effort will be made throughout the colony to provide the requsite sum, and it could easily be done if all who are able to give will contribute their quota. The object is one which well deserves the aid of all, for the report shows that the Institute is nobly fulfilling the aims of its founder. There are now, we read, " over forty inmates drawn off from the prisons and streets of the colony, and these include the forlorn of every creed from Auckland to Otago and from Westland to the plains of Canterbury." Sheltered by the institution and cared for by the Sisters of the Good Shepherd, the inmates are trained to a life of industry, and reclaimed to the dignity of womanhood, Who is there who does not recognise m such work, a claim upon his or her sympathy and practical aid. None surely, and we feel persuaded that it "seds only that the fact that further funds are required should be known to ensure that they shall be forthcoming. Pat let us remind those who intepd' to fprW&F d subscriptions of tbe force of the old proverb that " he gives twice who gives quickly."