THE NEW ORPHANAGE.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1373, 26 February 1912, Page 5

THE NEW ORPHANAGE.

AT BERHAMPORE. STOXE LAID Bl r LORD ISLIXGTOJJ. From half-way up the hills behind Berhampore the Presbyterian Orphanage, to be, will look out upon tho city. It is a breezy, healthy locality. A start has boon made with the structure and, on Saturday afternoon, tho foundation stone was formally kid by Lord Islington. The money in hand is (sufficient to erect a building about half tho size of what tho completed institute will be. About .24000 moro is needed to enable tho whole plan to be carried out. There was a good attendance at tho ceremony, those present including Messrs. Isitt, Xewmnn, and Hindmarsh, M.P.'s. 'Die Salvation Army Band supplied music. Or. Gibb's Address.

I The ltcv. Dr. Gibb delivered a short address, in which ho welcomed his Excellency. Jfs went on to sn.v that those in charge of the scheme hud displayed both boldness and caution—boldness in starting: with hardly a shilling in the locker, and caution in handling whatever money they wer« entrusted with. Of roursp, their goal was a long way off. The, house which they now proposed to erect was "only half a house ,, : they would do more when the money was put at their disposal. "] hope," ho remarked, "that we will soon be inviting you lo come again—to the completed building, which will hold no fewer than SO orphan, destitute children. Speaking of the chance of these, 'institutions sapping self-reliance, the, speaker admitted that the. possibility existed—a possibility that they were trying their best to "guard against. The case of the genuine orphan, of course, no one would raise a word against; it was the Church's supremo duty to take care of them. The orphanage would also bo open to children parents were not very worthy, and would bring them up better than (heir parents would. Dr. Uibb also spoke in terms of praise of the work of Al». «nd Mrs. Mills who are in charge of the present orphanage. He then introduced his Exeellency, and ■ presented him with "a trowel with which to perform jour masonic duties."

Kindly' Speech by His Excellency,' His Excellency said that it had been a great pleasure to him to accept the invitation to associate himself with the Presbyterian Church in tlio great work which they wore undertaking in erecting this new orphanage, Thev had been told what were tho hopes and the aspirations in regard to' this home. Tho qualities of boldness and cautioui which had been spoken of were always commendable, and works dependable on the. philanthropy of the public always needed thorn. Of course n considerable sum of money was necessary before the completion of (lie building .would be realised. \yliilo those responsible had now sufficient to justify commencing tho building they would be glad to receive—as he had no doubt they would receive—the necessary balance. He understood that »Coooo was necessary ■ liko'iTOo' Dr ' Gi,ib: ' EI00 ° ; ''"' l W0Ul(1 His Excellency: T have no doubt Dr. Gibb irould like £(m. (Laughter.) lhis, continued his Excellency, was the second occasion sines he had "become (governor of Xew Zealand on which he unci had tho pleasure of being associated with the Presbyterian Church. About 18 months ago he had taken part in an interesting gathering in the Town Hall in connection with the other branch of social work which the Church had in hand -that which dealt with the first offender and made him into a good citizen. While tho Church had been doing good work with orphans in the past, it hoped (o do a great deal more work when the now building was ready. This was a work which must commend itself to all denominations of the public. Whilst it was connected with the Presbyterian Church it was not in any way n sectarian movement. "Those who nrc orphans," his Excellency continued, "lend themselves to the comjMssioH of all classes. Those who are children of parents who are not able or not willing to give them the necessary care should also commend themselves to tlm earnest compassion of the' public. I quite agree- with j>, Gibb flint we dont want parent"! responsibility to bo removed or lessened unduly; but a homo of this kind can be of the greatest possible charity to tho needy individual. I only desire to say once more how very Rind I urn to have (his opportunity of taking part in the interesting and sacred ceremony; and how much t will look forward to the completion of this building. When it is completed and furnished it should be one of the most useful institutions in the city of Wellington. 1 thank you for this (rowol—a valuable, and interesting memento. Godspeed and all good fortune to the undertaking we linvo nil l.ilccn part in this nfternoon." The building is to be erected in brickwork mid finished ont.-ide with white rough cast ami red brick base, relieved with a half-timber porch. Tho roof is to bo tiled with Marseilles tiles. Tho main entrance is from a tiled porch, opening into a largo panelled kail, oa one aiclc of which is the master's office and dinine rooms and on the other a dormitory. At the end of the hall is the kitchen quarters, which have- been designed with nil 'he, latest conveniences. Upstairs are the nastcr's living rooms and dormitory. Each Joor is provided with ample bathroom ind lavatory accommodation. Two playsheds and a, workshop arq to be erected in tho grounds. The building is beinsf erected from designs prepared by jfr. W. 3ray Young by Messrs. jlaco and Nicholson, who exnect to havo it completed in 'our months' time. < The trowel used by tho Governor was presented by tho builders.