ANGLICAN BOYS' HOME

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 211, 1 June 1920, Page 4

ANGLICAN BOYS' HOME

PLAN TO INCREASE ACCOMMODATION. An effort is being made by the Anglican Boys' Homes Society to increase considerably tb« accommodation provided at the homo at Lower Hutt and to extend the good work which has been done there during the past eight years. Tho society desires to provide without delay a homo worthy of and adequate for tho work it has in hand, but in order to do this much increased financial support is requisite. Tho home was opened on May 12, 1912, by the Bishop of Wellington "for tho maintenance and training of boys, the circumstances of whose lives are such* that they should be removed therefrom." After many early vicissitudes, the society attained a good financial position: The present master and matron (Sir. and Mrs. Heseltine) were employed, and, instead of a single cottage capable of housing only twelve boys, the society now owns two houses, in which, twenty-six boys are being cared for. There are also 51 acres of land, which are used for grazing a couple of cows and raising vegetables for the Wellington market. The need for exlending the accommodation is regarded as urgent, the cottages being quito inadequate for tho work. The society lias always a long waiting list of applicants and finds that usually the most deserving are the least able to wait. To remove as far as possible what was regarded as "a reproach to the diocese," plans were made to build a new home at an estimated cost of .£OOOO, and Mr. C. E. Levien was engaged as organising financial secretary. It was confidently expected that before the end of the present year a sufficient sum would be in hand, to justify a commencement being made with'theercction of the new home. Now, however, it has been deemed desirable to make a change in plans, and instead of rebuilding it is proposed to purchase a ten-roomed house and about ii acres of land at Lower Hutt. The sum required to carry this plan through is about ,£7OOO. A valuer's report states that the properties aro worth, tho amount quoted in the options, and that the whole of the land -proposed to be purchased should bo secured.

To cany this scheme- to fruition nn advisory coininitteo has boon set up. It consists of the following well-known business men:—Messrs. T. E. Lees (chairman), H. B. Gordon (lion, treasurer), A. E. Mabin, P. S. Hodson, G. Shirtclifte, C. B. Buxton, A. J. Toogood, and J. AY. Henderson. Several trading firms and private individuals havo made substantial donations to the fund, and many smaller contributions have been received. Other donations aro 'being solicited by circular.