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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Auckland Provincial District]

The St. Stephen's Orphan Home

The St. Stephen's Orphan Home, Parnell, stands on a site set apart for the purpose, out of the Stephen's estate, by Bishop George Augustus Selwyn. It is one of the best institutions of its kind in the colony, and was originally founded by the late venerable John Frederick Lloyd, in 1862. Since then it has at various times been endowed with valuable bequests. In 1873 the late Mr. William Morrin left an income of page 193 five per cent. of the net value of his estate to the Home; in 1876 the late Mrs Elizabeth Godley, of Parnell, bequeathed £50; in 1879 the late Mr. Henry Keesing, of Auckland, bequeathed £20; in 1879, the late Mr. Thomas Weston, Auckland, bequeathed £100; in 1883, the late Mr. John Sawerbier, of Adelaide, bequeathed £500; in 1883, the late Mr. Edward Costley bequeathed £12,150; and in 1900, the late Mr. Arrowsmith, of Waiuku, bequeathed about £7000 to the Home. Owing to these munificent gifts, the Home's sphere of benevolence has been largely extended. The Home is connected with the Church of England, but its doors are open to the orphans and destitute children of all denominations without regard to their religious persuasion. There is a Board of Management, of which the Rev. Canon Nelson is chairman, and Mr. T. W. Doonin, vice-chairman. Ten of the members are ex-officio, and six are elective; and there is also a ladies' committee of nine members. Mr. W. G. H. Jackman is secretary, Mr. C. J. Tunks the honorary treasurer, and Dr. W. G. Guinness the honorary medical officer. Children are received from over two to nine years of age, and are educated and trained—the boys to farming, and the girls to domestic work; and when they are fourteen years old, they are sent out to labour in their respective spheres. Wages earned by the boys and girls are banked by the Home in their own names, until they are sixteen, but after that age the children are allowed to make their own arrangements with their employers. A governess attends the school, which is a fine building adjoining the Home, and a sound elementary education is imparted. The average number of inmates is between fifty and sixty, but at various times as many as one hundred children have been in residence. The Home is a large two-storey building, surrounded by fifteen acres of grounds, fronting the sea. Dormitories for the boys are at one end, those for the girls at the other, and they are separated by a long corridor. There is also a hospital to accommodate fifteen patients, but owing to the good health of the children it has not been used for over nine years. The clothing of the children is made on the premises, and a resident seamstress is constantly employed for the purpose. There is a gardener to look after the grounds, and to grow all the vegetables required for the Home; and four cows are kept for the supply of milk. The Home is most beautifully kept, and the children are pictures of health and happiness.