ANGLICAN CHILDREN'S HOMES

Shannon News, 15 November 1927, Page 3

ANGLICAN CHILDREN'S HOMES

VISIT OF THE MATRONS. The matrons of St. Mary's Children's Homes, Karori, and the Boys' Homo, Lower Hutt, paid a visit to Shannon on Friday last and addressed a number of people on the work they were carrying on among the unfortunate children of the diocese of Wellington. The Vicar (Rev. A. J. Piimoll), in extending to the visitors a hearty wcl: come, said he was pleased also to see among the audience the promoter of the Bovs' Home in the Lower Hutt, namely; the Rev. W, H. Walton, now Vicar of Foxtou. He was assured, that the Bovs' Home- was commenced by a £SO donation from a resident of Patea It was, said the speaker, the first tune that Shannon had been honoured.<by a visit from representatives of the varir ' cus Children's Homes. He was .sorry indeed that the matron of the Babies Home, Khandallah (Miss Greigg) was unable to come, too. She was unfortunately in hospital with a broken leg. ■ The matron of the Boys' Heme (Mrs . Heseltine) was the first to speak. She stated that the Home existed tor the upbringing of destitute beys, orphans and those who had suffered the loss ot / a father or mother. When she took charge o; the Home at its inception. 17 years ago, there 'were eight boys under her sare. It has always been. filled to its utmost, and she was sorry .to say, had a long'waiting list. The • ; growth of the institution was traced up to the present day with its three acres of grounds and buildings to ac- *~ commodate 70 bovs: The boys produce their own vegetables and supplied the Home with dairy produce. Many amusing touches of "he life at the Home was fully traversed and the religious, moral and physical training Were all described The object was to fit the boys 1 to take their olaee in. the'world, thus enabling them to stand favourably with the more fortunate boys in this wonderful country. * ■-',,-.,. The work has been extended to a Home near Masterton, known as "Sedgeley," where boys over 16 years of age' are' getting their training. Jr. closing she said, she would like it to •be known that the 'work was entirely ; dependent upon voluntary support. Miss Parlarie (the matron of the ' Mary's Homes) opened her address by saying that her family, consisted of 104 . children, for which she had three houses • and five assistants. The running of _t.li? Homes was-exactly on the same lines as that of the Boys' Home. The girls, were 'taught dressmaking,, and made all the garments for the Home. Those who fancied office work were trained for that work. She had -.ravelled as far afield as Auckland and In vercargill to be present at some or. their " girls' weddings, for in siiany instances she was the only mother they had ever known. Manv came . back to Karor. to be married' They-always specially welcomed back any ot their former girls, and when a holiday was needed each girl knew she >vas welcome, and room for her would be'found some where. Photographs of the Homes and children in both cases wore passed around the audience. She appealed for helj, and said she was sure if people onlj knew of the work they were doing theii help would be forthcoming to finance the work. Another thing in the way of eggs, vegetables, and old clothing would be most welcome: A vote of thanks was carried by acclamation. Musical items were givei; during the afternoon,and afternoon tea was served. , -