ORPHANAGE SUNDAY

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 220, 6 December 1927, Page 14

ORPHANAGE SUNDAY

METHODIST APPEAL YEAR’S WORK REVIEWED On Sunday next in most of the Auckland Methodist Churches a special Christmas appeal for the Methodist orphanages will be made. A year of much activity and progress is recorded in the annual report just issued. At Wesley Home, Mt. Albert, in place of the old barn destroyed by fire, a new playroom for boys, a milking shed and a coal and wood shed have been erected." A new wing has been added to the main building, providing hostel accommodation for girls who are going to work. A similar suitable hostel is now required for the older boys, five of whom will probably soon be taking situations in or near Auckland. At the Wesley Home, Mount Albert, there are 23 girls and 20 boys, and at the Epworth Home, Mount Albert, 19 girls and 11 boys, making a total of 73. Forty at Epsom bring the total in the three institutions to 113. A pleasing feature of the year’s work is the highly satisfactory reports received from the headmasters of the Gladstone and Mount Roskill Schools. In both instances the headmasters pay a tribute to the excellent character and conduct of the children from the Epsom and Mount Albert homes. Financially, good progress has also been made during the year. The capital debt has been reduced by £ 2,000, and by means of a long-dated mortgage the balance of £3,103 has been paid for the Epsom property. The capital debt, however, is still over £7.000.

Next Saturday afternoon the ladies’ committee will hold at Mount Albert its annual Christmas treat to the children of the three homes. This will take the form of sports and tea and gifts.

The report concludes by paying a special tribute to the services rendered by Mrs. Armitage, matron of the Mount Albert Home, who is retiring at the end of the year.