A SNOWBALL LETTER.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 460, 3 June 1909, Page 3

A SNOWBALL LETTER.

Sir, —The Council of Dr Barnardo’s Homes will be very much obliged if you can find space for this communication in your valuable columns, and thus assist them to stop a Snowball letter which has been circulating all over the world for the past nine years or so, and which is doing harm to the national and beneficent work of these Homes, The “snowball” was started by Miss Robertson, of the Square, Kenilworth, in all kindness, but without consulting the Homes. Since Dr Barnardo’s death someone has altered the wording, so that .the letter now indicates that the work is being carried on by the Executors, and that the doors are likely to be closed if funds are not speedily forthcoming. These statements are erroneous and misleading, tor the Homes are incorporated and are managed by a Council, and far from the doors being closed, they are as wide open as ever all over the kingdom. 68,050 children have been rescued, trained, and placed out in life in years. The, family is now larger than ever, numbering 8,391 boys and girls —the largest family in the world. The admissions last year were 2,518 ; and many other helpless little ones, including those who are sick, crippled, and incurable, are being received daily through the various ever-open doors. Two-thirds come from the provinces, and one-third from the metropolis. Will your readers please help to put the snowball letter out of circulation by mentioning the matter to their friends ? We beg them not to continue the chain ; but if they are interested in this national and imperial work for destitute children, and wish to do honour to the memory of the founder, their gifts of three or more stamps, as asked for by the snowball letter, or larger amounts, will be heartily welcomed at headquarters. Cheques and P.O.’s should be made payable to “Dr Barnardo’s Homes.’ —Yours etc., Wm. Baker, Honorary Director. Headquarters of Dr Barnardo’s Homes, 18 to 26, Stepney Causeway, London E. 13th April, 1909.