ORPHANAGE WORK.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1442, 17 May 1912, Page 5

ORPHANAGE WORK.

YEAR'S REVIEW. PICTURE SHOWS INDICTED. The third annual meeting of tho Presbyteriaii Orphanage and Social Service Association was held in St. John's Schoolroom last evening, tho liev. Dr. Gibb presiding. There was an attendance of between SUO and 000. Review of the Year. The annual report, which was read by tho chairman, contained the following, inter alia:—The third year or the association's existence has almost seen the materialisation of its original plans—tho election and possession of an orphanage building. Tho foundation-stone' was laid by his Excellency Lord Islington on I'ebrnary 24. The house, which has provision for lorry-live children, will be ready lor occupation about July. The appoinimenls of Ike building arc homelike, the institutional stamp having been avoided as much as possible. The .steady aim of the committee is to foster the family spirit amongst tho inmates, and the housing of both sexes (comprising in several instances brothers and sisters) has served I hat end well. Tlie existing rented home in Waterloo Avenue, Newtown, was all but full at tlie beginning of the year, but, in anticipation of a more commodious dwelling, another two bods have been added, thirty children (17 boys and J3 girls) being at present cared for. During the yesr nine children were admitted, and seven left. It is interesting to note that of t.hcs2chil: dren that have passed through the committee's hnnds for the first three years, (wciity-oao arc of Anglican parentage, twelve Presbyterian, twelve Methodist, three Roman Catholic, and four of other denominations. It is the committee's desire that all creeds should recognise in a practical way the work of the association. Careful attention has liecn given to the bodily needs of the children, and the religious training lias been well maintained.

The thanks of the association are duo to the hon. medical officers, Drs. Bcgg and Elliott, and also th« lion, dentist, Mr. Hoby. The need'for a male assistant will bo necessary in the near future, as tho work of the association is developing considerably. Picture Shows—a Menace. A good proportion of the boys who came before the Juvenile Court during the year had not left school, a contributory cause of thoir lapse's, apart from faulty parental control, being frequent attendances at picture shows, which are becoming a serious menace to tho welfare of our youth. Practically all tho younger boys, states tho report, who have been before the Court for theft or breaking and entering, spend their Saturday afternoons'■witnessing, amongst others, representations of some villains escapades, and occasionally pictures that verge on the obscene. Picture shows do no good to the body, and they only too often debauch the mind. Financial Side. The financial position of tho association colls for a larger effort than has yet been attempted by the various agencies that are at work. J!r. Mills has successfully visited 28 congregations during the year. The Ladies' Auxiliary, the Bible classes, congregations, and other collecting organisations have done well, and the committee is under a great obligation to them. The income has shown a gratifying increase in each of the three years of the society's existence, as is evident by tho following figures:—First year, £703; second year, 0:1288; third, .£2580, making a total of JM577. With a debt of „t350fl on the building, and a similar amount to face for the next three years for maintenance, there is a big task ahead. The committee expresses i'.s indebtedness to

Mr. and Mrs. Mills for their exceedingly effective services. They also wish to thank the two assistants at the orphanage, and also Miss Mason, who joined tiio orphanage at its inception. . Concluding Business. The Rev. H. Inglis, B:'a., 'seconded the motion to adopt the report. Tho balancesheet was reau by tho treasurer (Mr. .W. M. Hannny), and its adoption was seconded by the Kev. W. Thomson. The Rev. J. Gibson Smith addressed the gathering. During his address the chairman made special mention of the fact that the association had started its career with nothing, anil at the present time had property to the value of .£2350, notwithstanding all the other various expenditures. Mention was also made of Orphanage Sunday, which is to be held on Sunday, June 3.

Among others present were tho • Revs. Shircr, Comrie, unci Staudage. Mr. Campbell moved a vote of thanks to the chairman, members of the committee, Ladies' Auxiliary, Bible classes, and other helpers. This was heartily carried. Tho balance-sheet showed receipts for the year amounting to JJ2SS6 7s. Id. After' meeting all expenditure, the association has cash on deposit .£1250, and cash in hank JMO 19s. KM.