ST. MARY'S GUILD.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1421, 23 April 1912, Page 9

ST. MARY'S GUILD.

THE ANNUAL REPORT. The report of St. Mary's Guild, to bo presented at the annual" meeting on Wednesday states:— Tlio thirteenth annual report of. St. Mary's Guild marks another year in its history, which may be looked back upon with thankfulness to Almighty God for His continued help and blessing, and enables us to face, the future in faith and confidence. There has not been much event to mention, but the guild are humbly conscious of steady progress. Both tomes havo been kept quite full; several of tho older girls have been placed in situations, tho vacancies being filled up at once. Tho accommodation at both homes has been taxed to the utmost, consequently the responsibility and anxiety of tho matrons have increased considerably. Tho cultivation of the gardens has been oxtended owing to the larger number of inmates, and continues a great, success, both as regards healthy occupation and profit. This also applies to the laundry department rand we are pleased to report that the work is most cheerfully ana cfI Cectuaily done, for which great credit is duo to the matrons. The guild have felt for some time that the matrons were not ' receiving salaries at all adequate to their I never-ending duties, but are now able to increaso them this year through the kind gift of .£6O from a well-wisher, given for this purpose. Having been advised by Mr;. W'allis and Mr. Duncan (one of the trustees) that tho guild should be incorporated under tho Religious, Charitable, nnd Education Trusts Act of 1908, we have had this done, with the approval of

our trustees. Mr. ShirtclilTo has kindly consented to become a trustee in wlaco of Bishop Wallis. In consequence of tho homes being su lull, and thecost of living having increased so much, the guild found before the end of last year that they had nu balance at their credit in tho bank, and decided to send a circular to all the clergy of the diocese stating their sore need of help. We have gratefully to acknowledge tho kind responseand encouragement we have received from so many, and while this help has relieved us of present need, we feel we ought to make a special effort to increase our membership and subscriptions so that we may be enabled to continue our increased salaries and larger responsibilities. Although we start this new year with a balance of .£302 18s. 9d., we have to point out that our receipts for the past year exceeded our expenditure by .£92 12s. Bd. only, and had it not been for the special generosity of friends and churches and tho Government grant we could not have met our expenses to March 31. Owing to Mr. J. Duncan's gift last year of .£IOO, and the small salo of work held by tho guild last August, wo have boon able to reduce the debt on the cottage home by .£l5O, leaving a debt of .£3lO. In connection with our sale we have, to acknowledge tho kind assistance given us by Miss Beatrice Richmond and the girls of the "Toy Symphony Orchestra" in providing a musical entertainment. It is impossible to thank individually tho many kind friends who havo helped the guild and staff at the homes, but special mention must be made of Drs. Agnes Bennett and Kate Hogg for the untiring interest in the health of the girls, and of Mr. Hursthouso for his constant readiness to attend to their teeth. The health of the girls in both homes has been good on the whole, and their conduct satisfactory. The children of the Cottage Homo spent a pleasant fortnight at Seatoun, and enjoyed the bathing very much. They have to thank five young people in Kelburue for this treat, who got up a bazaar, realising .£4, which they gavt to tho children for this outing at Christmas time. Some other young friends gave them a surprise party, which they thoroughly enjoyed. Tlio guild are deeply sensible of tho unremitting care and affection of tho matrons for those in their charge, and are most grateful to them.