ALL SAINTS’ CHILDREN’S HOME.

Manawatu Herald, Volume L, Issue 3936, 30 April 1929, Page 3

ALL SAINTS’ CHILDREN’S HOME.

BIRTHDAY GATHERING. A large gathering of friends were present at the third anniversary of the All Saints’ Children’s home at Fox ton, on Saturday. Mrs. Bain, matron of the Foxton branch, received the guests; who were welcomed by Canon Faneourt of Palmerston North. Canon Faneourt said the two homes were run in conjunction. Although the balance-sheet for the year showed a small deficit to both homes, to the amount of £29, this was owing perhaps to the fact that if children could possibly be taken in to the homes, they were never refused admittance merely because their parent eoukl not pay. Last year was father a bad year, as various parents were unable to contribute the amount they hitherto had done and the homes had lost something like £127, but as the homes were in existence to help the really needy, that was not such a very great amount. The commercial travellers had come to the rescue and as a result of their splendid efforts a cheque for £137 had been sent in. On Friday evening, Mr. G. H. Hanley, of Poha-ngina, wrote out u cheque for £IOO and presented it to the home. There were more children in the homes than there had ever been before, and several very distressing cases among them. At the Foxton holme additions had been made in which the ladies’ committees had taken a big part, the matron (Mrs. Bain) herself paying for a great deal that had been done. The Palmerston North home housed 36 children and there were 29 at Foxton. ■Canon Faneourt spoke of the ..woilk of the matron as magnificent. The children always looked scrupulously clean, and were wonderfully trained, whilst the home would bear inspection at any time. The board members had had a letter from Dr. Elizabeth Gunn, who made eulogistic reference to the matron, home and children. The speaker wished specially to thank the Oroua Downs people, also those of Foxton who had always helped and tried to make the matron feel much at home. Nothing too good coulS be said of Mrs. Bain and her staff, Miss Spooner and Miss Bain.

■Mr. M. E. Perreau (Mayor)’ also made complimentary reference to the fine work Mrs. Bain had achieved.

Mr. Mason (headmaster of the Foxton school) spolke briefly and remarked that he had been particularly struck through the year, by the progress of the Foxton home children. It w r as really remarkable and it was due to the motherly instruction of the matron whose services, lie hoped the board would never lose . Indeed, Mr. Mason had seen such a wonderful change since Mrs. Bain had been in charge, that he felt impelled to write and lei the board and its ,members know. The children were in such excellent hands, and arrived at school always spotless. Dr. Gunn during her inspection had remarked that never had she seen more beautifully healthy, clean or better children. Mjr. Mason concluded by saying that it was the .excellent organisation and thoroughness of the matron that made the home practically free from; illness among the children the whole j'ear round. 'Mrs. Bain, was greeted with applause upon rising to reply, and said, that at times there was a feeling of isolation surrounding the ■place, biit. she loved the work very dearly, and the encouraging remarks that were spoken by Canon Faneourt, Mr. Perreau and Mr. Mason, made her feel that she really was not so far away from everybody as she had supposed. Rev. Kenny also spoke of the* excellent work Mrs. Bain had done for the hoime and proposed a vote of thanks to the matron and staff, which was carried by acclamation.

LIST OF BIRTHDAY GIFTS. Mr. A. Thomas, bath mat; Miss McMillan, plant pot and porridge spoon; C. M. Ross Coy., coir mat; Mr. LeWis, flag staff; Mrs. A. S. Easton, bag sugar, bag oatmeal, butter and cut flowers; Mr. Christensen, bag sugar; Mrs. Hewitt, picture Queen Victoria; Mrs. Fancourt, bag flour and cakes; Mrs. McKenzie, parcel groceries; Mrs. Leonard Taylor, honey; Mrs. Runnicies, cakes; Mrs. Alkers, towels, serviettes, cakes and parcel groceries; Mrs. Monrad, parcel grocei’ies, cakes and sweets; Miss F. Monrad, honey; Mrs. Martin, towels, sheets and groceries; Mrs. Brown, sugar; Mrs. A. Court, towels; Mrs. Hannah, pillow eases; Mrs. Phillips, towels, jam and sauce; Miss Pasley, vegetables;' Mr. and Miss O'wtram, case apples and serviettes; Rev. Kenny, bag rolled oats; Rev. Wiltshire, bag creamoata; Mrs. Mason, bag flour; Mrs.* F. Robinson, cakes, milk, soap; Mrs. John Robinson, bag oatmeal; Mrs. Bagnall, bag flour; Miss Waldegrave, tin eoco'a; Mrs. Gates, groceries and biscuits; Mrs. Nieliolls, sago; Mr. Harwood, bag oatmeal; Mrs. Ivcbbell, £1 and vegetables; Mrs. Nye, marrow; Mrs. Jeffries, rice; Mr. Perreau, parcel

groceries and jam; Mrs. Duffi!n, dates; Mrs. E. V. West, butter and cakes; Mrs. Dorreen, apples and sweets; Mrs. East, cornflour; Mrs. Kirkealdie, 4/- for marbles; Mi's. Hood, groceries; Mrs. Moffatt, poilk; Mrs. Hornblow, tin biscuits; Mrs. E. Nicol, boy’s suit; Mi’s. Nicholas, floor polish; (Mrs. Tyer, parcel clothes; Mi's. Watson, sugar; Miss Whitehead, curtains and flowers; 'Mrs. Gregory, syrup; ladies’

committee, Palmerston North, cakes for afternoon tea; Mr. Hart, free cartage. The matron thanks all for their extreme kindness and apologises for any omissions.