SONG SERVICE

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 30, 30 October 1942, Page 3

SONG SERVICE

Presented By Children Of Presbyterian Homes A choir of children presented an hour’s programme preceding the annual meeting of the Presbyterian Orphanage and Social Service Association, Wellington. The programme took the form ot a tuneful song service, telling in y*-‘ l ' se ’ song and prose the story, “The Building of the Church.” The singers were boys and girls from the orphanages, and the high standard of their performance was largely due to Mr. IL S. Cross, superintendent, who specially arranged the presentation, and 'trained the children. A large gathering was .present in St. John’s Church hall, Dixon Street. The year just ended was the thirtythird in which the Presbyterian Orpianages and Social Service Association had been functioning iu Wellington, stilted the annual report. Throughout the year the homes had been filled to capacity—22 girls and JO boys—and though RJ children left during the year, they were soon replaced. Applications on behalf of 30 children had to be refused because of insufficient accommodation, while very many requests to help sick mothers by taking their children for short periods, could not even be considered. A great field of service awaited attention in this direction if tire means were available. Through the avenue of lhe social service work, many people, adults and children, had been- able to get, in some cases, a fresh start in life, and in others a helping hand when ‘it was most needed. Goods had been distributed to some necessitous cases, families of six, seven and eight children being helped in this way.

lleports from the hospital chaplain, prison chaplain, and mental hospital chaplain, were included. The ladies' auxiliary reported a year of useful and energetic service on behalf of the homes, aud the report of the deaconess showed the value of social service work among women and girls.