DR. BARNARDO'S HOMES.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 504, 11 May 1909, Page 3

DR. BARNARDO'S HOMES.

; "HIS WORKS DO FOLLOW HIM." PROCEEDINGS AT THE TOWN HALL. A very large audience . attended the lecture given in tho Town Hall last night by the Rev. W. J. Mayers, senior deputation secretary in connection with Dr. Barnardo's Homes. Among those present were his Excellency tho Governor (Lord Pluhket), Captain Shannon (aido-do-camp), and Hon. G. Fowlds (Minister for Education). Introducing the Rov. Sir. Mayers, liis Excellency said that lie wished to express his .whole-hearted admiration for ono of the noblest fiidunost useful-organisations which oxisted- in-theßritish Empire. There wero many reasons, why .the .people of New: Zealand should accord their support to Dr. Barnardo's Homes. Hd would .like to give two of . them. Tho first was that they, worked upon the broadest Christian lines, and wore as ipuch commended by tho leaders of Nonconformity as by tho authorities of ; the Church ol England.- Secondly, thoy formed a truly patriotic and Imperial movoment. In conclusion, Lord Plunket touched upon the great succoss of the training given at tho homes. "Tho Riso and Progress; of Dr. Barnardo's Wonderful Child-rescue' Work" was'tho title of the Rev. Mayers's 1 lecture,' which was 0lustratod'by a number of very fine picturesi The lorturer said that tho' institutions ' in connection with tho. homes wero so numerous that it would take ono a month to look round , of boys who had'been trained at the homo now occupied liagh positions in various walks of life. Only a fow weeks ago ho had met in Queensland a member of the Federal Parliament who told Mm that he . had been an inmate of Dr. Barnardo's Homes. For tho new v hospital in memory of tho late Dr. Barnardo, lUvereargill 'had subscribed the cost of one bed ; Dunedin and Christchurch two beds, and he would be sorry to loavo 'Wellington without tho oost of .'two beds having been subscribed there.: His meetings on the previous day had resulted in tho collection of £100, which.was •a good start. . Oontinuihg, - the lecturer showed a view of one of the institutions in connection with , the homes whero boys were ■trained for:t'ho Navy. ."If," said.he, "New Zealand gives a few Dreadnoughts to the Homo Government, Dr. Barnardo's Homes will supply the sailors to man them." ' (Loud applause.) Dr. Barnardo had, ho continued, saved one . thousand children for every year of. his all 60,000 children—and his works .did now' follow him. In conclusion, .tho lecturer .asked those present to subscribo as . liberally, as Jay . in their power to a special collection, which was then taken up. During .the evening the;contingent of boys who aro. aocompanying the Rev. Mr. Mayers gave evidenco of their undoubted musical ability, and each of their selections merited the hearty applause which was bestowed. It wa smentioned that the'part taken by the . boys was Intended- not as: a .mere entertainment,' "but' as an object lesson, - • showing :in a pleasant: form some of :the '.results accomplished; by patience and-:kindly care.'! Following is a list of the'items contributed: — Gavotte; "The Bells; of St.; Malo" ': (handbells);.waltz, ."Granville!' (handbells); march, "Defence, not Defiance", (mandolines); Scotch: airs, ."Draw the Sword,". "Annie Laurie," and "The; (Blue Bells", (sleigh bells)solo; ; ."Alicej..'where :Art Thou?" (handbells);: solo,, '.'The Charge" ~ (cornet); selection.(bagpipes); selection,. "A .Polish Dance" ; (ocarinas): "The ■ Song of ■ the. Sailors" (action song); "Shepherd's .Dance" (ocarinas); and "The Vesper Hymn" (fairy bells and auto-harps),' ...' There .will be a change, of programme at to-night's meeting./ ' , ,