HELPING THE ORPHANS

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 599, 27 February 1929, Page 1

HELPING THE ORPHANS

METHODIST INSTITUTIONS CHANGES AND FINANCE A year of unusual activity is shown by the report of the Auckland Children’s Home and Orphanage—Mount Albert and Epsom—presented to the annual conference of the New Zealand Methodist Church. The present roll numbers are: Wesley Home, 42; Epworth Home, 32; Epsom Home. 45: total. 119; and other applications pending. In addition, several elder boys were boarded out under supervision. The outstanding event of the year had been the retirement of Mrs. Armitage from the position of matron of Mount Albert. During eight years she devoted herself unstintedly to the care of the children, and in May last retired from the work, says the report. In Miss Johrlston, from Canada, the orphanage had a Methodist of experience. Miss Coatman, after more than five years as Mrs. Armitage’s assistant in charge of “Epworth," had been appointed as matron. Having no boys’ hostel it had been found necessary to board the elder boys. The question of a hostel was being closely investigated, with a view to providing a bright Christian hostel for boys from 15 to 18.

Health and conduct, with a very few exceptions, had been good, and most gratifying reports had been received from the headmasters of the Gladstone School, Mount Albert and the Roskili School, Epsom. The organisation had again entrenched on capital in order to avoid a heavy overdraft on current account. On account of legacies £221 had been received, and had been required for current expenditure. Capital debt was over £7,000, interest amounting to £4lO. It was hoped to extend through the districts a sound policy of annual subscriptions. In recognition of long and exceptional service for the orphanages, the Rev. George Bond and Messrs. J. Trounson and A. C. Caughey had been appointed life members of the board of management. The board gratefully acknowledged invaluable assistance rendered by the ladies’ commitete. by Mrs. Caughey, ex-president, and Mrs. Peak, the new president, and by Miss A. Mason, honorary secretary. The president and secretary of the ladies’ committee had been appointed exofficio members of the board’s executive. Official collectors, the Misses Mason and Stables, honorary medical advisers, Drs. Harold Pettitt and Howard Thomas, also Mr. A. Peak, solicitor, and others had continued to render efficient service.

The report was presented by the Rev. S. Griffith and adopted by conference.