PRESBYTERIAN CHILDREN’S HOME.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, 8 May 1925, Page 6

PRESBYTERIAN CHILDREN’S HOME.

ANNUAL MEETING

The annual meeting: of the .Presbyterian Social Service Association,' the controlling body of the Children’s Home, w,as held, in Chalmers Hall on Wednesday night, and was fairly well attended. Tho convenor (Rev. X. Stinson) •presided.

The meeting having been opened with devotional exercises the annual report was submitted, and mentioned inter alia that lour children —three girls and ono boy—were admitted, to the Home during tho year, while four left —one girl going to work, two boys returning to parents, and ono boy going to tho JJoys’ Homo in ..Christchurch■ 'There aro now twenty-three children in the Homo—sixteen girls and seven boys. Ono girl gained “proficiency-” i, during tho year, so that when schools resume two will bo attending the Girls’ High School. Six of the children entered for the Assembly’s Sabbath School examination, and four of these gained tho highest - marks in the Presbytery in their respective divisions —an evidence of tho care bestowed upon the children. As a result of the appeal on Young People's Day 356 dozen eggs were received, while large quantities of fruit and produce were sent in from various congregations after harvest .thanksgiving services. ' At Christmas tho children had the usual Christmas party. 'The gifts for tho Christmas tree were provided by Chalmers and Waimato Bible classes and Trinity Busy Bees. Gifts of toys, sweets, cakes, and fruit were ,also received in abundance. A gift of a gramophone and supply of records by Miss Gregg were much appreciated by the children. Tho children attended tho Highfield, Washdyke, and Pleasant Point Sunday School picnics, and Airs Bruce gave them an enjoyable day in the Park. The thanks of the committee are duo to ( the Women’s Auxiliary for their contiiiued interest. Hearty thanks were tendered to the following for donations: —The Scottish Society for £2O, tho Commercial Travellers £62 8s Id, -; Charities Ltd.-, of Christchurch, £34 18s Bd, Girls’ High School £5, South Canterbury Development League £6 15s 4d, Rugby Union. £5, Main School Jubilee Committee £2 3s 6d, lion. Medical Officer (Dr. W. C. Burns), lion, auditor (Mr A. C. Martin), and the lion, solicitor (Mr H. W. Walton) for services rendered; and to the Colonial Motor Company for frequent supplies of.firewood. Messrs D. Byers and J. Norton were the members of the committee who retire this-year. _ Both had been nomniated for re-election. The committee deeply regrets that Air. Norton, who lias cheerfully rendered great service to the Home, has been laid aside by illness, and prays that he may soon be restored to heplth again. An arrangement has been made by which All* Rule, the superintendent, is to visit the congregations in the lresbytory each year. Thq. committee would again remind all friends of the Home that on the number of annual subscribers and the regularity of their i payments depends, to a largo extent, the financial stability of the Homo. Mr Stinson, in moving its adoption, said that this was tlieir seventh annual report, and they had reason to thank God and take courage. They had a beautiful Home in North Street, which was free of debt, and they were now thinking of expansion. He paid a high complimeut to the staff and committee. They had been singularly fcfrttinate during tho epidemic, only one of the children being affected. They had every reason, to thank tho chuiches in South Canterbury for the.,,;, support received j their needs had always been mot. Taking one item alone, 35b doz.en eggs had been received. Ihe Women’s Auxiliary liad also been a great factor in tho help \ accorded to the Home, and many outside organisations liad contributed handsomely to their finances. After their _ financial rear closed they received notice that a bequest of £3OO had been left them by the late Air Thomas Pringle. He was sure they appreciated greatly this handsome bequest, and it would seivo to perpetuate Air Pringle’s memory for years to come. The speaker next referred to improvements made, and work yet to be done, and when they were paid for there would nQt be muen of the balance left. Complimentary reference was also made to the splendid way, tho grounds were kept, the chairman concluding his remarks by referring sympathetically to one or the committee—Air J. Norton—who had been indisposed. • , , .. Air J. Hutchison briefly seoonded the adoption of the report, and the motion Was carried. , _ _ Alessrs J. Norton and D. Byers wero nominated as members of the committee, subject to confirmation by the Presbytery. . . Rev. Frank Rule, m an interesting address, referred to the work m the outlying districts, and the amount of labour entailed in attending to Court proceedings, both in connection with youth and wjult cases. He advocated the establishment of a home for the aged respectable Presbyterian poor, and these would have to take effect before their institutions were completed. Complimentary votes of thanks to the convener, treasurer, secretary, and committee and staff were passed, the meeting being brought to a conclusion by the singing of a hymn and the Doxology. '