DR. BARNADO'S HOMES.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 11 October 1911, Page 2

DR. BARNADO'S HOMES.

A meeting in aid of these Homes was held in tho Foresters' Hall, Helensville, on Friday evening last, the 6th inst, The Rev E.E.S.Forrester who presided, after making some interesting references to his own experiences of slum work in the Homeland, said that Dr Barnado's Homes deserved the cordial support of all classes and denominations not only because no destitute child is refused admission, whilst all applications are dealt with promptly and courteously. Mr H.W t Lee, Organising Secretay in New Zealand for the Homes, after thanking all who had come forward in Helensville to help the great National Institution, gave some remarkable figures. During the 45 years the homes have been established they have rescued ani trained nearly 73^000 -children, and have emigrated to the colonies about 23,000. Of the boys and girls sent to Canada 98^ per cent have proved successful. At the present moment (the speaker said)' there are 9,500 children in the Homes or about sixteen times the population of Helensville, and to supply them with food alone eosts about £250 every twenty four hours. Mr Lee' then described the methods of admission. Destitution and moral peril form the sole claims! Children are admitted without votes, influence or promises of money Infants are eligible for the Home's, as are also boys and girls up to sixteen or seventeen years of age. Sickness is no bar, there are generally about a thousand children in the Institution who are either blind, deaf ann dumb, crippled or in some way afflicted. A number of slides illustrating the Homes were then thrown on the scene, the lantern being worked by the Eev E.G. Kirgan A collection in.the Hall lesultei in a sum of £1 2 6. A yearly collection on behalf of Dr Barnado's Homes is to be made in Helehsville. Mr J. E. Page has consented to act as local Honorary Secret* ary and. will ba glad to receive offers of assistance. Several ladies have already jnoiuised iUtir services,