A SNOWBALL LETTER.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3200, 28 May 1909, Page 5

A SNOWBALL LETTER.

(To the Editor). Sir,—The Council of Dr. Barnardo's Homes will be very mucjh obliged if you can find space for tnis communication in your valuable columns, and thus assist them to stop a Snowball Letter wnich has been circulating all over the world for the past nine years or so, and which is doing harm to the National and Beneficient work of these Homes. The Snowball was started by Miss Robertson, of The Square, Kenilworth, in all kindness, but without consulting the Homes. Since Dr. Barnardo's death someone has altered the wording so that the Letter now indicates that the work is being carried on by the Executors, and that the doors are likdy to be closed if funds are not speedily forthcoming. These statements are erroneous and misleading, for the Homes are incorporated and are managed by a Council, and far from the doors being closed they are as wide open as ever all over the Kingdom. Sixty-eight thousand and fifty children been escued, trained and placed out in life in 42£ years. The family is now larger than ever, numbering 8,391 1 boys and girls-the largest family in the world. The admission last year were 2,518 and; many other helpless little ones, including those who are sick, crippled and incurable, are being received daily through the various ever open doors. Two-thirds come from the provinces, and one-third from the metropolis. Will your readers please help to put the Snowball Letter out of circulation by mentioning the matter to their friends? We beg therfl not to continue the Chain; but if they are interested in this National and Imperial work, for| destitute children, and wish to do honour to the memory of the founder, their gifts of three or more stamps, as asked for by the Snowball letter, or larger amounts, will be heartily welcomed at headquarters. Cheques andP.O.'s should be made payable to "Dr. Barnardo's Homes."—l am, etc., WM. BAKER., . Honorary Director. Headquarters of Dr. Barnardo's Homes, 18 to 26, Stepney Causeway, London, E., April 13 th, 1909.