A WORK OF COMPASSION

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2445, 26 April 1915, Page 6

A WORK OF COMPASSION

HELPING BEREFT CHILDREN,

It may be remembered by many, that some five years ago a Jubilee Ward was added to the Home of Compassion at Island Bay to mark the jubilee of the remarkable. work done by the Rev. Mother-Mary Joseph Aiibert in' the Dominion. That dearly loved helper'of the afflicted is at present visiting Europe, and when last heard of was succouring the hurt and afflicted in the terrible earthquakes at Avezzano, in Italy. While slie is away the good work at St. Joseph's Home for Incurables and the Home of Compassion is beinc attended to by the hard-working, capable Sisters. Tli« sad little colony, of foundling babies and juvenile inepts is an ever-growing one, and it is the lot of the Sisters to twist and contrive to make the best of everything, and this they, manage to do, and still [keep cheerful. To return w the Jubilee Ward— this apartment has up to the present been one large hall, but the Sisters have been advised that it is imperative that an infirmary must be provided, ill order that the sick or ailing babies should not sleep in the same room as those who are fit and well, so, to meet the need of' the moment, the Jubilee Ward is being divided into three large and two small apartments. The large rooms will be utilised for the purpose of a dormitory, infirmary, and nursery. A glassed-in verandah is being provided on the north side, to get the advantage of the sun,-and another shaded verandah will project from the eastern side of the nursery , for the use of tho little ones. This contriving will leave the present babies' dormitory—the large room on the north-western corner of the homo proper—and refectory available as a play-room for the other, children. The two small rooms that are being- provided in the Jubilee Ward are a kitchen (in which there is a boiler for the hotwater system) and a bathroom, where the bairns can be conveniently attended to.. The work of altering the wing is not being done for nothing—the times are out of joint for. that—but the Rev. Mother always maintained that the Lord .would provide, and that He had never failed her yet. _ Perhaps some human help will manifest itself to meet the needs of the good Sisters.

"With the approach of winter comes the call for warm clothing (and plenty, of it) for the children of the Home. Thera are at present no fewer than seventeen babies under twelve months, who find comfort and love all round them, and show, it in their crowing, kicking, and crawling. A happier bunch of kiddies the writer never saw. This little colony has to be clothed, and though it may be that "Sister Susie's sewing shirts for soldiers" (as the song runs), it is imperative that someone will have to help the Sisters in this direction. To that end a nursery tea is to be held at the Home in about a fortnight's time, and everyone who attends will, be asked to bring something, however small, for the babies. The date of the tea will be announced in due course—in the meantime, needles and thread will doubtless be busily employed in the good work.

A particularly exasperating type of concert-goer is tlie individual whose appreciation of a particular item is manifested by an audible humming. When the Barcarolle from Tales of Hoffmann was played at His Majesty's? Theatre last night, quite a number of these "humming birds" displayed their talent in unison with the orchestra, The Manawatu Auctioneering Co. have received instructions from the Official Assignee in the estate of Michael Hersey King to sell I>y public auction, at their rooms in Cuba Street, Palmerston North, a number of timber-cutting plants, and several sections of various areas. The salo will be held on Thursday, April 29. Messrs. Abraham and Williams Ltd., stock sale agents, advertise the following sales:—l6oo nead of mixed cattle at the Pahiatua Autumn Cattle Fair, on account of well-known breeders, at noon; and a stock sale at Johnsonville at 2.15 o'clock on Wednesday next.