NEW GIRLS' HOME.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 232, 1 October 1928, Page 8

NEW GIRLS' HOME.

VISIT TO TAKAPUNA.

ARCHBISHOP AND CLERGY.

SIR HENRY BRETT MEMORIAL.

A happy, informal gathering took place at the home of the late Sir Henry Brett at Takapuna on Saturday afternoon, when Archbishop Averill paid a visit to the home for the purpose of meeting residents of North Shore and Takapuna who are interested in the transfer of the girls from their present home in Richmond Road, Ponsonby, to their new home on the northern side of the harbour. The official opening of the Sir Henry Brett Memorial Home is to take place after building additions have been made. In making the visit on Saturday afternoon the Archbic-uop, who is chief trustee of the board, had with him Archdcacon MacMurrav, Canon Young, Archdeacon Simkin (secretary), the Mayor, Mr. J. W. Williamson, and the Rev. W. G. Monckton. "You are aware," said Ills Grace, "that our good friends the Brett family offered the home of the late Sir Henry Brett to the trustees of the Anglican Orphan Home at Richmond Road if they could make use of it." After due consideration, the Archbishop cont "iued, it was decided to take it, the onl> cause of hesitation being due to the necessary outlay in additions and alterations. They hoped to be able to house 80 children with the necessary staff to look after them, which meant new dormitories, proper laundries, and so forth. The present building was on a corner of the section, which made its enlargement rather difficult. To add to the front of the house would spoil its appearance, also the charming grounds, which looked so beautiful lying in the sunshine. The sloping ground on each side made additions equally unsuitable, so they had resolved to buy land at the back and put the new building in that direction, which, of course, meant a large outlay in money and time. Still, as the home was a memorial, they were all agreed that nothing that deteriorated its appearance could be allowed. Up to the present, the Archbishop said, the funds donated through the generosity of friends amounted to between £1100 and £1200. "I am glad," said the Archbishop, '"that this l oine is on this side of the harbour, as it is a great opportunity for the people of the North Shore to do something for God and His children." He was often asked, he said, by wouldbe helpers what they could do? At present there were between 20 and 30 children fn the home. Altogether they had 60 in their care, the rest being at Ponsonby. It meant trying to run two homes, which was not either convenient or advisable, and they hoped to be over there permanently before very long, but they needed so much—everything, in fact, with which to start a home. His Grace thanked the donors for their magnificent gift. Mr. Williamson, Mayor of Takapuna, asked the Archbishop* to convey his promise to the board that he wouid personally undertake to get together a good working committee to raise some of the funds necessary to put the home in working order. Archdeacon MacMurrav spoke on behalf of the trustees, and thanked Mr. Williamson for his promise of co-opera-tion. It was, he said, very cheering to feel that they had an assurance of help from the people of Takapuna.