PRESBYTERIAN ORPHANAGE

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2765, 8 May 1916, Page 3

PRESBYTERIAN ORPHANAGE

NEW BUILDING FOR BOYS. Some time ago tho members of thp .eornniitteo of the Presbyterian Orphanage at Berhampore decided that it was necessary to erect another building, in which to house tho older boys of the Orphanage. As soon as the decision was arrived at, very little time ivar. lost in carrying it into actuality, and on Saturday afternoon the_formal opening of tiie new addition to tne '-stablishmenfc was celebrated. In spito of the fact that thero was a parade of the 12th Reinforcement's through the streets of the city there was a good attendance of those interested in tho work which is being carried out in this connection.

.The-ceremony was performed outside the main entrance, and the Rev. Dr. Gibb, before calling upon Mrs. W. M. Hannay to open the building made a speech in which he reviewed tlio circumstances leading to its,erection and to the early days of the Orphanage itself. Tho work in connection with the latter had been begun with a capital of £35, and with two or three children as inmates. Now they had wis splendid s.'te with its buildings. Above all, they had paid their way for site and structure, and had something as well to Epare. So far they had not yet received any very large donations, although the orphanages in Dunedin and also in Christchurch and Auckland had been more fortunate. - Seeing that ihat.was tho case, it made the generosity of the people supporting tho Orphanage in NVcllington stand out all the ir.ore, since it had not the support cf • large bequests, but merely subsisted updn the donations and subscriptions of people interested in its support. The new house would contain sixteen toys, the girls remaining in the original heme. To Mr. and Mrs. Mills, the directors of tho home, Dr. Gibb paid a "cry warm tribute.. They had now in their charge forty-eight children, and while they had the backing of a good committee, yet to their splendid work for ,the children tho greatest praise was due. Dr. Gibb also spoke eulogistically of tho very, fino work which had been done by Mr. W. M. Hannay, the honorary treasurer of.tho committee. His work had been/heavy and'constant, and had been of great value to them all. Dr. Gibb expressed the great regret which ho had felt that the opening of tho building was taking place on tho day that the troops were parading, but as they had paraded on the previous Saturday, the opening ceremony, which had been fixed for tl at day, had been postponed for a week. It was quite unforseen that them would bo another parade, and when it was known time was too short to make another chango in the opening cf the building. , Mrs. Hanuay, who was presentcd-by tho architect; Mr. Young, with a 'silver key, unlocked the door, ml tho visitors wore, invited to inspect in relays, the new' habitation. The building is very bright and cheerful lucking, particularly inside. " As has Mieady been mentioned, it is to house sixteen boys, with tho director, Mr. Mills, and two assistants. There are two dormitories upstairs, wide and ?ify, each one containing eight beds with a fireplace in' each one. With their whito walls, curtained windows (a plentiful supply of tlio and neat furnishings they made attractive sleeping quarters. The dining-room downstairs, with small tables for meals, and the sitting-room belonging to Mr. and Mrs. Mills, were both pretty rooms, find needless to say there wore i.oot and cloak rooms, cupboards, ami various other contrivances that are so necessary■m; such a, building. Afternoon tea was served in" the main Orphanage, and the Ladies' Auxiliary and other helpers had an extremely busy time in attending to 30 :na.ny guests, Among those who were iresent was the Hon. J. G. W, Aitken.