HELPING THE HELPLESS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 240, 28 June 1918, Page 2

HELPING THE HELPLESS

WORK OF PRESBYTERIAN ORPHANAGE The annual meeting of the Wellington Presbyterian Orphanage and Social Service Association wus held in St. John's Schoolroom last evening," the .Rev. Dr. Gibb presiding.. , The report of the year's work, which was presented at the meeting, stated that the past year had been ono of the most successful in the history of the Social Service Association. "The two buildings at Berhamporo are full—CO orphan and destitute children being in our care. We arc purchasing a new house at Island Bay, to cost, with tho necessary additions, about JMOO. adding thus a large sum to the financial obligations or tiio association. Tho Island Bay home will bo occupied by the girls—some 30 in number—whicli will enable us to take in another 30 at. Berhampore. This means a further large expenditure, and as tho number of our orphans increases, the sviift' must be strengthened for the extra work. Altogether, we are facing a greatly enlarged outlay, but we are not afraid." It was the, intention of the committee to provide a creche in Wellington, and perhaps to associate with that an office in which Mr. Mills might transact his growing work more conveniently for all concerned than is possible at Island Bay or Berhampore. But the need of a girls' home was paramount and the other scheme had to 6taud down for a while. But it would not be forgotten. The committee expressed warm appreciation of gifts in cash- and kind, of collections donated by congregations in and beyond Wellington district, the renewed gift of <£1!)0 from the Macarthy Trust, and a legacy of £hOO paid by the executors of tho late Mr. •). H. Blair. They thank, too, the Ladies' Auxiliary for their valuable help, and also Dr. EJUott, hon. physician, Messrs. A. and H. Hoby, hon. dentists, and Mr. W. Miller, hon. auditor. The report concluded with an eloquent testimony to the work ol Mr. and Mrs. Mills in connection with tho children.

Tho -secretary (Mr. T. P. Mills), reported that the year had closed with a total number of 60 children, 31 boys and 2') girls. "Sixty-nine have been cared for during the year, 10 wero admitted

and 9 left, 123 having passed through tho institution fiinco its inception. One boy of barely thirteen gained a Junior National Scholarship. One of the two lads at work and attending Technical School qualified for a Senior Free Place, the other not having attended long enough to sit for examination. The girls who have left school are being trained in domestic duties, and when old enough, will, in all probability bo placed on the staff. The work among tho boys will bo much better developed when the recently, acquired property at Island Bay,-.is ready to absorb all tho girls of tho institution. Applications, for admission were received for about 150 children, but owing to lack of room and other reasons, 10 only wore admitted. Twelve woro plaqed in private homes, the association, however, under takint; no financial responsibility. The work outside the Orphanage in the rescue of erring lads has been very much reduce 1 owing to. the Industrial School Department appointing nn officer .to attend the Juvenile Court, but this has not altogether eliminated our efforts, several boys receiving help and guidance.-Fifty-fivo offenders also./Ichieffy young man) have been placed under-my supervision as probation officer •by order of the Supreme and.Magistrate's Court; nil with one exception have conducted themselves satisfactorily. Several of those liavo been • found employment, and in soma cases induced to apply themselves to study, and the. consideration of tho higher things -of life." The balance sheet showed receipts amounting to 19s. 9d., and payments (including' repayment to Metropolitan Permanent Building and Investment Socielv cClOOO) JJ27S7 85... lid. Among the assets were land (10 acres) ami buildings at Berhampore, valued .at ,£B3OO, furniture and furnishings .£3OO, and live stock £20. . . In moving l*!o adoption of the report and balance-sheet, Dr. Gibb spoko of the prosperity that attended their efforts during the past year. It was regrettable that tho creche which they had hoped to provide for the wives of soldiers who had to leavo their children during the daytime had had to ]>e abandoned for the lime being, but tho need for more housing for girls had become very evident mid pressing.. To meet this need a property had been purchased' at Island Buy which would bo added to, and.would cost about .45000. That the necessary money would be obtained he was quite sure. Dr. Gibb concluded by paying a very warm tribute to Mr. and Mrs; Mills in regard to their work for the children. Upon Mrs. Mills in these days of lack of domestic help fell a very heavy burden, and it was a source of amazement to see the way in which she. rose above her difficulties. Mr. T. H. Gill, who was asked to speak, touched upon tho great work of reconstruction who'll awaited the-world as a result of the war. On ail sides peoplo were told that there would be a different outlok upon religion,- upon education, upon societv in general;'but ho was sure, that in such work as that carried out in connection with the orphanages and similar institutions thero would bo no i evolution because the work in itself was constructive. •

Another speaker was Mr. F. V. Frazer, S.M., who was among tho audience. Mr. Frazer spoke of the work of the Probation Officer for first offenders—lawbreakers who were often young, foolish, not criminal by intent, but who by some mischance or another had fallen into error, and who, instead of being sent, to gaol, were placed under the jurisdiction of the Probation Officer. To get these first offenders away from the gaol, away froiri everything in connection with tho gaol, and under the supervision of a tactful, patient, worldly-wise officer meant much to their 'future welfare. By means of the Pirst Offenders' Probation Act passed in 1898, first offenders brought before the Courts wero committed by tho presiding Judge\or Magistrate to the hands of tho Probation Officer for a period of timo decided upon ]>y the former. The Probation Officer had to' report from time to time how his-charge was behaving, and his consent had to be given as to what employment should be taken up by the offender. He-also saw that the boy or girl kept suitable companions, ami that the conditions laid down by the Magistrate wero observed. It.was his work to develop Ihe moral side of these young people, "to put I hem in tho way of becoming decent, useful members of society., To send them to gaol was to damn them iii this world, and perhaps in the next one, 100, for the bad influence of the prison, no mailer how well kept it be, was inevitable and inseparable from'prison life. Mr. Frazer paid a tribute to the "man in blue," end said that in general a very kind, good-natured heart beat beneath the tunic of the jiolicc.man, and it would be found lie was anxious to do his best for tho culprit who had transgressed. A. brief musical programme was given, the orphanage- boys and girls contributing action-songs, and Air. Wood, Miss Godier, and Mr. Goudie also tinging. Supper was handed round at the close, of tho meeting by the Ladies Auxiliary..