THE CRY OF THE LITTLE ONES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3249, 20 June 1911, Page 7

THE CRY OF THE LITTLE ONES.

VISIT- TO THE HINE MATEROA CRECHE.

(By “Rosalind.”) Into the heart of every true mother would come a throb of pity and desne to do a little kindness towards. some one’s child if she could but look in occasionally at the Hine Materoa Creche in Grey Street. There thirteen little children, ranging from a few_ months to emlit years, receive the loving care and attention of an inestimable matron and her daughter. Unsectarian, but with true ideals ot training its little men and 11 omen to be good citizens, this institution is carwing on a noble and great work in our midst, which deserves the assistance of every true man and woman who have the interest of all and love of little children at heart. From early morn till dewy eve applications are being made for some wee mite’s admission that this big prosperous town hasn’t any room for, and no matter wnnt its history it, it is taken-in and lovingly protected from the cold outside world. Mothers who must go out and work can for the small sum of sixpence leave their children there and know they will he well taken care of. The s?ad necessity for the need of a home of this sort in Gisborne is proved by the presence of three now happy children who were rescued from a house in which they were found locked up in a room. u. Then three more came from a home in which they had to be loft day after day with only a dog as protector, whilst their mother went out working. Another case (perhaps the saddest of all) of a wee baby found in a barrel, and with its little legs all twisted, is now growing strong and well in the C'reche’s tender care. Every day the home is feeling a greater need for a larger building, and it is for those men and women who know a mother’s love and influence, to earnestly do their best in helping to make some little life happier, and in the. cause of God and humanity building a. home to house wee mites whose lives are not all sunshine and roses.

With the idea to provide more funds for building purposes, the Coronation Ball is being held this evening, when it is hoped to record it the biggest ball yet held in Gisborne. To those whose sympathy is with the little ones I refer these verses, written by that .fine Australian woman. Margaret Carmichael, who recently died in London, and whose two small children were afterwards found starving in that great city by an old Australian friend, who, fortunately, was in a position to provide for them-: Surely, somewhere, in the world of little children, There’s a tiny face that meets your loving eye; There’s a 'hildish form you’d shelter from all sorrow. Ah! you couldn’t bear to hear that little creature’s cry. For the sake of oh© be pitiful and tender, Helping all who pine in anguish and in woe; For we never know how sorely they were stricken, Nor how soon our dear ones may be crying so ! Hearken; fathers! to the voices of. me children; Listen ,mothers! to the pathos of their cry; Be not deaf to childish misery and sorrow — There is anguish that we must not hurry by I Stretch your loving open arms a little wider, To your heart the world of little children take; In remembering those your love may yet be calling For the aid you give to-day For Someone’s Sake!