THE PRESBYTERIAN ORPHANAGE.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 839, 10 June 1910, Page 3

THE PRESBYTERIAN ORPHANAGE.

4 . THE YEAR'S WORK. AND FUTURE ASPIRATIONS. Tho first annual meeting of the Wellington Presbyterian Orphanage and Sociiil Service Association was held iii St. John's Schoolroom last evening, the Hev. Dr. Gilib presiding. The inclemency of the weather affected the attendance. The children of the orphanage under tho care of the matron were present ■at the meeting, and joined in the musical portions of tho proceedings. Tho annual report reviewed tho history of events and negotiations which had culminated in the foundation of the home. It was resolved that the work of tho home, in its initial stages at any rate, should be confined to tho care of orphan and destitute children, preference being given to the children of Presbyterian parents. How far the organising committee were justified in their faith in the community in the matter of financial support was shown in the fact that at the end of 12 months £700 had been received, only .£9O of which represented payments from relatives for the support of tho children. Altogether, 26 children had passed through their hands, relief, being given in a good many cases to people in temporary distress who did not ask the institution to burden itself permanently with their little ones. There were now in the home 19 children—ll boys and 8 girls—who were healthy and happy, and well attended to morally, mentally, and physically. The capable services of the matron (Sirs. T. P. Hills) and her three assistants were referred to in appreciative terms. . Problems for Solution. Tho committee went on to refer to the difficulty with regard to boys over 10 years of agp, it being considered undesirable that they should be kept in the same institution with girls. A committee of the General Assembly,' it was stated, had under consideration the. mutual relations of the three agencies in Dunedin, Christchurch, and Wellington, and the probability was that steps would be taken to accommodate thseo boys in the Dunedin Borne. " ■ Reference was also made to the desiriableness of securing more commodious quarters, the present building having accommodation for 20 only. The matter of obtaining a suitable site—involving considerable expense—was now under consideration, aud the committee felt assured of tho support of the public in its endeavours in that direction. Social Rescue , Work. Another phase of the organisation was the rescue'work now being carried out. by tho agent, Mr. T. P. Mills, whose appointment as social service agent and chaplain to the gaol aud hospital was attended By successful results. Tho rescue work among tho boys, was, however, limited by the fact that no receiving home was available in which to placo them for observation and uplifting till situations could be found for them in the country. Appreciative reference was also made to the pioneer work and organising talent displayed by the convener of the committee, the Rev. Dr. Gibb. In moving the adoption of the report, the Chairman drew special attention to the urgent need for a new building, and expressed tho earnost hono that something definite would be done in that direction before long. He also referred to the. desirableness of pursuing the ideals upon which they hoped to build their social rescue work, and complimented Mr. Mills on tho success of his endeavours. The motion for the adoption of the report was carried unanimously. The statement of accounts, showing receipts totalling .£702 17s. Gd., and a balance in hand of .£ll4 10s., was presented by Mr,. W. M. Hanway, and adopted. Mr. T. P. Mills spoke at some length of the various aspects • of social rescue work, and gave several-graphic instances of his experiences as a social nptent. Tho great problem, he said, was (he. treatment of boys who were verging towards evil ways. Co-operation with. the Juvenile Court was of importance in such cgsos. Tho Rev. W. Shirer, Messrs. Win. Gray, Webster, and Wm. Fanwny also delivered brief addresses, and the meeting closed with votes of thanks to the committee, the chairman (Dr. Gibb), and the secretary (Mr. Wm. Hanway).