SOCIAL SERVICE.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 461, 20 March 1909, Page 7

SOCIAL SERVICE.

ORPHANAGE FOR WELLINGTON. . A PROMISING, START. Between forty and fifty office-bearers of the Presbyterian Church responded to an invitation sont out by the Orphanago .Committee appointed by the Wellington Presbytery at its last, meeting, and held a meeting ,in St. John's Schoolroom' last evening to discuss the scheme for- establishing a Presbyterian Orphanage in this city. Tho Rev. Dr.: Gibb, who presided as..representing the Presbytery, traced the' various steps by which tho sehehie' had progressed till that time. The Rev. E... A. Axelsen,. agent •of ■,the Dunedin Orphanage and Social Service Society (Presbyterian), described, in a. very interesting'. speech, the origin and surprising growth of the southern institution, which not only cares for a number of Presbyterian and other orphans,' but also carries 011 a rescue work, which the magistrate has admitted to be of exceeding value to a large section of tho community. Sir. Axelsen said that the Dunedin institution, beginning with hardly any means, had proved a splendid financial success. Ho agreed with Dr. Gibb that it was only necessary to get their project under way, and money fof all purposes would come forward. 1

Mr. J. G. W. Aitken moved:—"That this meeting ; approves heartily of tho proposal from the Wellington Presbytery to' establish an orphanago, and .social servico association ill Wellington for the relief of orphans and dcstitute'-children in that city and the neighbouring .provinces, and those now present pledge themselves to do all in their power to give ;effect to the proposal." Mr, ' Aitken emphasised his conviction that charities on behalf of orphans and the poor, and oven the work of friendly societies, should rightly be administered by the churches. ' The Rev. J; Kennedy Elliott seconded the motion, which was carried with acclamation. The sura of £57 10s. was promised in the room, and almost- all those present promised to repeat the subscription for two subsequent voars. Other promises: and contributions have bean obtained.