ANGLICAN ORPHANAGES

Evening Star, Issue 22465, 9 October 1936, Page 7

ANGLICAN ORPHANAGES

ANNUAL MEETING The annual meeting of the Anglican Orphanages was held in St. Paul’s Schoolroom this morning. Bishop Fitchett presided in the absence of Dr E. H. Williams (chairman of committee). REPORTS. The committee stated that at the conclusion of the first complete year during which the office management of the homes has been in the Diocesan Office, the Committee was very pleased to report that for the first time for many years the income was slightly in excess of the expenditure. Office management and superintendent expenses to June 30, 1935, amounted to £174 13s, and during the year under review £143 Os lid. Donations and subscriptions and sundries from all sources to June 30, 1935, amounted to £206 9s 9d, and to June 30, 1936, to £248 17s Id. Maintenance payments and pensions showed a fall of £43 16s sd. Income from investments showed an increase of £l7 14s Id. Although the present situation could be regarded as very satisfactory the committee reminded friends of the homes that only by the receipt of regular subscriptions could this state of affairs continue.

During the year the following additional bequests for capital were received:—£22 10s, Mrs A. A. Martih; £2OO, Sir Janies Mills; £IOO, Miss J. Fish; and a further £8 6s 8d on account of the Tayles’s Bequest. All these sums have been transferred to the Dunedin Diocesan Trust Board te hold on account of the trusts concerned. The usual Christmas holiday camp was held at Karitane, and in response to the annual Christmas cheer appeal the sum of £IOB 14s 5d was received by the treasurer. During the year the committee gave considerable attention to the question of commemorating the memory of Mrs J. M. Ritchie, and the great interest she had in St. Mary’s Orphanage, and decided to add to and extend the existing sun verandah to form a large sun room at the homes. _ This work had been put in hand, and it is hoped that all might be completed by the annual meeting. In conclusion, the committee thanked all who subscribed to the homes, to those who collect in parishes and districts, to the honorary physicians (Dr E. H. Williams and Dr S. Batchelor), to the honorary auditor (Mr J. G. Butler) to all who have helped to maintain and entertain the children, and to express their grateful appreciation of the unvarying attention and care given to tho children by the master and matron (Mr and Mrs Gerrard). The master of the home (Mr J. S. Gerrard) reported that 30 children were in residence during the year; three were discharged, one boy to his mother and two girls to situations; four children were admitted. The health of the children had been good, and thanks are due to Dr E. H. Williams for his keen interest in the home and the welfare of the children. Every endeavour was made to keen in touch with those who have passed through the home, and also with their' employers; all are doing well, and favourable reports of their conduct and work have been received. The summer holiday camp was held at Karitane, where a three weeks* residence was enjoyed- by all. _ Thanks to the members of the committee for their keen interest and encouragement in the work at the home and for tho support extended was expressed, CHAIRMAN’S REMARKS. Moving the adoption of the annual report and balance sheet,' Bishop Fitchett said that in so far "as'the accounts were they were in the happy position of having a greater income than expenditure. That was a very good thing, but ho hoped they would not allow it to become a misfortune in that people - thought they needed no more money. Many improvements were still -required, and capital was being spent in building at the present time. The committee was a hard working and zealous one, which relieved him of a great deal of anxiety. They had much to be thankful for in the number of people who gave honorary service to the orphanages, _ and the happy financial position was in a large measure due to the services of these people. . Seconding the motion, Mr W. E* Earnshaw said • that though - their income had exceeded expenditure,: they still needed money. The Mrs J. M.Ritchie memorial was the result of long consideration by the committee, and was intended to be a reminder of the work which had been carried out by Mrs Ritchie. He also referred to the work of the master and matron, and said that they owed a debt to the ladies of the committee who looked after the comforts of the children. Tho Rev. W. A. Hamblett said that one viewed the reports and financial situation with great pleasure. Tho homes appeared to be treated most economically and the children all appeared to be happy. The report and balance sheet were adopted. Mr J. 6. Butler was reappointed honorary auditor.

The Rev. J. N. Thompson (chaplainsuperintendent) said that members of the diocese had been very generous in sending vegetables and other produce from the country, but he asked the donors to exercise care in packing such donations so that they 'would not suffer damage in transit. The' master also wished to know who the donprs were so that he could advise them of the safe arrival of the donations. The financial position was due in no small measure,he said, to the capable and economical housekeeping of the matron. Mr J. S. Gerrard (master of the home) referred to the generosity of those who sent donations to the home. Many of the boys who had left the home during the depression had been put to work, he said, but the-question of finding positions for some of the boys who were growing- up was a serious one, and would require earnest consideration. The speaker thanked all, those connected with the conduct of the home for their assistance and courtesy to him. Applications for admission to the homes were becoming more numerous. During the depression there had been only a few, but in one month lately the committee had , received JO applications; Dean Cruickshank thanked the workers who had helped the homes during the year on behalf of the clergy of the diocese.

Mr S. Dunkley, expressed the hope that the time would soon come when the homes would be used merely as receiving homes, and the children would be boarded Out with church people. ,He also paid tribute to the work of Mr and Mrs Gerrard at the home.

Votes of thanks to the secretary (Mr W. D. Jenkin) and Mr and Mr* Gerrard were carried.