EXHIBITION CRECHE COMMITTEE REPORT AND BALANCE SHEET.

White Ribbon, Volume 32, Issue 372, 18 June 1926, Page 1

EXHIBITION CRECHE COMMITTEE REPORT AND BALANCE SHEET.

Tlu* Exhibition being now over, wr must present to tlie New Zealand Union our final report and balance sheet, after which the special Committee will cease to exist. Reports of the oarly negotiations and general organisation having been previously given, all that is low needed is a brief general review and statement of the result of tin* undertaking. The Committee, drawn from Central Dunedin, Mosglel, South Dunedin, Kaikorai, North East Valley, Fort Chalmers and Sawyers Bay Unions, was an energetic one, which worked together well under the leadership of Mrs Macartney, Superintendent of the Creche, and Chairman of the Committee. Miss Young, the permanently employed worker, did excellently, and worked happily with the Committee, as well as with the numerous voluntary helpers. The suburban t’uions and Dunedin Y’s. did nobly in providing workers, some good helpers coming regularly from the City Union. Quite a number of women who are not members of W.C.T.U. offered help, which was gladly accepted. I’ossibly, the insignt they gained thim into the standard of Christian seivice wdiich actuates, the Union may lead them to become members themselves. The work was undertaken and organised in a spirit of prayer, and to us it is evident that the prayers for guidance and help were heard

and answered, because during the whole undertaking uo accident or illness occurred, and what seemed at times insuperaole difficulties in preparation or management, melted away when they were approached. The total number of children received was 3318, many of these were frequent visitors, and in almost all cases, parents were enthusiastic in their appreciation of the treatment given to them. The greatest number on any one day was 118. which number was recorded on three different occasions.

Souvenirs were given to certain special children- to the 1000th to the first twins, to the triplets, and to the only Chinese baby in each case the gift was the same- a silver spoon with the Exhibition Arms on the handle in enamel, and engraved “W.C.T.U. Creche** on the bowl. The Committee expressed their willingness to provide four such spoons for tbs first quadruplets to arrive, but no parent was able to procure this souvenir for her family. Many distinguished persons, including Lady Alice Ferguson, and numerous Doctors and Nurses visited the Creche, and record**! their complimentary remarks in a book provided for this purpose. At the request of thesi* visitors, a donation box was placed on the table, that those unable to contribute by paying for children, might be able to mark their appreciation of the work by giving something more than words of praise. This, with the very careful administration of our Treasurer, has left us with a substantial Usance to hand over to the New Zealand Organising Fund.

We parted very regretfully from our little home in Logan Dark, in w r hieh so much happy time was spent. The memory of practical organisation, patience, and friendliness will inspire us all. The object of the enterprise as a demonstration of the practical application of the Union's motto has been realised, and we thankfully acknowledge that we owe our success to tne blessing of God, given in answer to prayer by Union members all over New Zealand.