DR BARNARDO'S HOMES

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 71, 14 September 1911, Page 7

DR BARNARDO'S HOMES

STRIKING APPEAL BY A DUKE. Not far from the scene of the recent Anarchist outrage in, London are situated the headquarters of an institution which for forty-five years lias been carrying on a work of Imperial importance. ''Ringed in with closely packed acres of brick and mortar," in tho squalid East End, the Barnardo Homes I are the Mecca of tourists from all parts of I the world. During this, the Coronation year of our King and Queen, colonial visitors in unprecedented numbers have passed through the famous Ever-open Door in Stepney Causeway. To many of these it must have seemed strange that work of this noble character should be carried on amid such unpleasant surroundings. In the early days, when Dr. Barnardo was known as .the "Young Man with the Lantern," and sought by night the waifs and homeless lads of London sleeping under bridges, railway arches, and in empty stables, Stepney Causeway wa* a convenient haven to which to conduct them for immediate shelter and food, and to thousands of grateful men and women the Empire over it will always have hallowed associations.

What a sad and motley procession it is that has passed "through that first Ever-open Door! Seventy-three thousand destitute, neglected boys and girls, from infants a few days old to the lad and! lass of twenty. Many clad in filthy rags, gaunt, hungry, and apparently hardened; others in the pathetic "mourning" of the respectable poor, their thin, pale faces tear-stained for a dead father or mother; others with a cowed, animal-like expression which tells of cruelty and ill-usage; brothers and sisters hand-in-hand, with timid and wondering eyes; deaf and dumb children, crippled children; children led by the hand because they are blind, and frail little creatures borne in on ambulances. Some of the latter are only admitted that their last few days or weeks in this world may be as bright and free from pain and sorrow as medical skill and loving care can render them. But the rest of this great army pass out again after a time—pass out as strong, healthy and happy youths and maidens, trained and disciplined that they may enter the battle of life with courage, hope and confidence; pass out to become citizens good and true, to people the colonies with honest, industrious men and women. Truly a glorious resurrection.

Convenient as it is for. a receiving centre, Stepney Causeway was not regarded by the late Dr. Barnardo as an ideal training ground. He believed that children should be reared in the country, and not in crowded cities-. He said of ■his boarded-out little ones: "Most of them have hitherto only seen the blue sky from amidst the city slums, and are now entering upon what is to them a new world among green fields and pleasant country sights and sounds." He delighted in his beautiful Village Home for Girls at Ilford, and longed to give the . boys similar advantages. Always looking ahead and planning for the future, he conceived the idea of a Garden City for his boys some years before his death, and only waited for opportunity and means to carry it into effect. Not for nearly five years after he had passed away was it practicable to make an actual start in the desired direction. By the generous help of interested friends, the Gwynne House Estate of 30 acres of well-wooded land at Woodford Bridge (less than twelve miles from Loudon) was purchased, and in July of last year were laid the foundation stones of the first three cottages of the Doys' Garden City. Building has since steadily progressed, and twelve houses are cither constructed or in course of erection. Two East End branches have been closed, and their inmates transferred to the rural surroundings of Woodford Bridge, there to be trained for work on the land, in the. flower, fruit and vegetable gardens, and for service in the house. A basket-making school has been established for tho crippled boys, and their work is being sold to advantage.

When completed, the Boys' Garden City will consist of 30 "cottages" accommodating 900 lads. One of the houses already occupied will be of peculiar interest to colonials, as it has been presented by the son and daughter of the iate Mr. and Mrs. Howard Angas, of Collingrove, South Australia, as a loving memorial of their parents. "King Edward the Seventh Cottage" has been named in honor of the late King, whilst "Barnardo Cottage" and Canon Fleming Cottage" perpetuate the memory of the founder and the late Canon Fleming respectively. "Coronation Cottage" commemorates the coronation of King George and Queen Mary. Dr. Barnardo's Homes have always enjoyed a wide popularity in Xew Zealand, and it is felt that many residents In the Dominion would like to "take a hand" in the building of the Boys' Garden City. A fund has therefore been opened for this purpose, and local honorary treasurers have volunteered to receive contributions towards the erection of the "Xew Zealand Cottage." The "New Zealand Cottage" will accommodate 30 lads; its construction and furnishing will cost £IBOO, a very moderate price for this class of work. Donations of £OO will each provide an "In Memoriarn" or a "Thanksgiving Bed" in the "New Zealand Cottage." 'lt is particularly desirable at the present time that the cost of the Boys' Garden City should not fall upon the general funds of the Homes. In 1010 there was a deficiency in the year's income of over £38,000, and this diminution has continued during 1011. The Hon. Director, Mr. William Baker, is "a i good deal troubled by the outlook," and' an urgent appeal has been issued by the Duke of Somerset, President of the Council of the Homes. "Our present income," says his Grace, "is insufficient to support the 0400 children now in the Homes. We have practically no endowments, and must cither reduce our expenses or increase our income. There are no high salaries to be cut down, no excessive stair to bo reduced we can economise in children only. We have hitherto followed strictly Dr. Barnardo's rule that no destitute child shall be refused admission; by abandoning it we could in six months bring our expenditure within our present income.

"Is it worth it?" the Duke continues. "Looked at merely as a matter of pounds, shillings and pence, the thousand children who would be refused admission would, if admitted, be worth to the country in the future many thou sands of pounds as honest, hard-working citizens. If left destitute, -who can say how much they will cost?" air. W. Floyd Harrop, who lias for some years taken an active interest in the Homes., has consented to act as the local lion, treasurer for the "Boys' <!ardcn City Fund," and will he glad to receive and acknowledge donations. All gifts for the "New Zealand Cottage" i should he addressed to Mr. Harrop, at the offices of Renter's Telegram Co., Ltd., 18 Shortland street, Auckland.