St. Vincent de Paul Orphanage, South Dunedin

New Zealand Tablet, 19 November 1908, Page 23

St. Vincent de Paul Orphanage, South Dunedin

On Sunday afternoon, on the invitation of the Rev. Father Coffey, Adm., and the Sisters, of Mercy, the ladies who made the recent canvass of the city and suburbs on behalf of the funds of the St. Vincent de .Paul- Orphanage," South Dunedin, visited the institution. There were also present, in addition to the Rev. Father Coffey (manager), Mr. Justice -Williams, the Mayor cf Dunedin (Mr. J. McDonald), Dr.. O'Neill, Mr. J. McR. Gallaway, Rev. Brothers Hennessy and. 'Brady, etc. -At the time of the arrival of -the visitors the- children, -to the number of between sixty and seventy, were amusing themselves in the playground, and here one could not help noting their healthy, happy looks, their neat attire, and the abandon with which they enjoyed themselves, whilst the thought occurred to the visitor that it would , be difficult to find an equal number of children brought up in their own homes, "who . would look such pictures of health and happiness. In addition to those in the playground there weri also a number in the nursery, some only a few months old, who were 100 young to' mingle with the others. Later on the visitors were treated to a programme of part-songs, action songs, clubswinging, recitations, etc., by the children. All the items of^ the varied programme were remarkably well. given, and would have done credit to the pupils of any primary school in the Dominion. It is needless to say that they were warmly applauded by the audience. At the conclusion -of the "programme Rev. Father Coffey took che opportunity of thanking the visitors for their presence, the ladies who had so kindly undertaken the canvass on behalf of the funds of the institution, and also the generous subscribers. It was unnecessary for him to say anything of -the work of the Orphanage ; the visitors .could sec for themselves how the children were cared for, and they had just had an example of ire varied nature of their training. As an evidence .of the good health enjoyed by the inmates he might mention that, although they had close on 100 children there, it was four years since there was a death in the institution. . The - inmates received their education at the .parish school, and their conduct and obedience were such that none of < the parents whose children were attending the school raised the slightest objection to the orphans being received there. .In addition to a good, practical secular training they also deceived a sound religious education which was a guarantee for their future welfare. They mingled with the other children in the playground and were examined with them by the Government ' Inspector. The collection for the Orphanage amounted to 'fully one-half of which was contributed by non-Catholics, who recognised the good work that was being done by "the institution.' He desired to thank all the generous subscribers, Dr. O'Neill, who gave his services gratuitously -to the Orphanage, Messrs. Callan and Gallaway, and Miss Mowat, instructress in. calisthenics, who gave her services free. On the invitation of the Rev. Father Coffey,' the Mayor of ' Dunedin, Mr. Justice Willia.ns', and Mr.' Gallaway gave brief addresses, in the course of which they complimented tae Sisters; "of Mercy on the healthy and happy, appearance of the children, and "on the excellence of the little entertainment- provided for the visitorsr Mr. Gallaway said it was- only those who had the oppor- • tunity of seeing__the children before coming to the institution could realise the change that had been -effected in them after being a -time in charge -of the nuns. He also paid. a meed of praise to the work of Mrs. Jackson on behalf of orphans and neglected children.

Afternoon tea was then dispensed, after whiclT the visitors .inspected the dormitories, nursery, and other parts of the institution, where everything was as neat- and as clean as loving care and self-sacrifice could make them.