The president (the Rev. Canon Curzon-Siggers) occupied the chair, being supported by Mr J. J. Clark (Mayor of Dunedin), and there were about 20 members present.
In moving the adoption of the annual report, the President said they all hoped that the war was the beginning of a new and better era, and he wished he could express a like hope concerning the work of the society for the last year, which was the worst and saddest in its history. They had been busy in rescuing children from so-called homes where children had no chance to be brought up in moral or physical health, but drastic legislation was required to deal with men and women whose vice in indolence was responsible for laying burdens on the rest of the community. Then, too, girl life was at a low standard, and would remain so so long as mothers of illegitimate children were spoken of as those who had merely made a mistake. In his opinion, the men got off too easily
Cathedral progress
Work is progressing steadily on the new Anglican Cathedral in Stuart street, and the scaffolding is now being taken down. As the scaffolding is being removed the workmen are cleaning off the masonry and painting it, and putting on three coats of a preservative which does not alter the colour of the stone, but forms a sort of chemical union that hardens the surface. The two high cranes are also lowered to the ground. The contractor is now proceeding to complete the vaulting of the nave. As soon as that is done, which will be in a couple of weeks, the men will start to finish the actual outside of the roof, which is to be covered with green slates.
Soldiers’ home development
The alterations to the building at Montecillo, selected by the Red Cross Society as a Military Convalescent Home for sick and wounded soldiers are being pushed on energetically, and it is hoped that the institution will be opened in the last week of June. Surgeon-general Henderson, who paid a visit of inspection on Saturday afternoon, was delighted with the comfortable house and its beautiful grounds, and expressed the opinion that it should make an ideal home for soldiers in need of medical attention amid surroundings designed to accelerate their complete recovery of health. The project is being taken up very enthusiastically by country branches, and many are organising concerts and other entertainments.
West Coast ports clearing
The unusually long spell of bad weather which held up shipping all last week on the West Coast, showed signs of breaking up yesterday, although vessels were unable to leave Greymouth on the first tide. The Poherua, after waiting outside Greymouth from Monday to Saturday, went on to Westport, for bunker coal, and would probably return to Greymouth again last night to load for Wellington. The Kokiri and the Blackball collier Ngahere were expected to sail in the afternoon. The sea on the bar at Westport was moderating, and it was expected that Kamo for Onehunga, the Karamu for Wellington, and the Canopus for Lyttelton, would all sail yesterday. — ODT, 28.5.1918.
• COPIES OF PICTURE AVAILABLE FROM ODT FRONT OFFICE, LOWER STUART ST, OR WWW.OTAGOIMAGES.CO.NZ
