[from the Medical Aid and Poor Relief Commission Report - 1879]

APPENDIX X - Latest Report of Douglas Industrial Home for Destitute Children.

The Committee cannot present the Tenth Annual Report of the "Douglas Industrial Home for Destitute Childen" without specially recognising the good hand of Almighty God, manifested in enabling them to undertake, and for so many years to conduct, the business of their institution ; which has repeatedly, by the highest authorities, been declared to be one of the most important and well-deserving of the charitable institutions of the Island.

The Committee cannot but express their gratitude when they reflect upon the origin and growth of the institution, the difficulties they have been enabled to overcome, the increased support accorded to the Home, and the peculiar gratifying results of its operations in regard to the young people who have been rescued fron destitution, with all its appalling consequences, received more or less of instruction and training, and are now out in the world earning their own livelihood—some as apprentices, some as journeymen, others as domestic servants in England and in the Island and others even as colonists in New Zealand.

The accounts received of those who have been sent from the Home are almost without exception, satisfactory and encouraging. A manufacturer writes— I am glad to inform you that the girl I got from you is still doing very well, and is growing into a fine young woman. A friend of mine (Mr M., also a manufacturer) is so pleased with what he has seen of her, that he is desirous to have one from the same place. If you have a likely girl from 14 to 16 years of age, I can assure you that she would find a good home," &c.

'That those who leave the Home for places off the Island remember it with kindly feelings, and affectionately regard its inmates and managers, is shown by the letters which they send to Mr Russell. One, for example, writes from England — "You will think it very unkind of me for not answering your last letter, but we have been so busy that I have not found time, but, for all that, I have not forgotten you. I often wonder how you are getting on. I am very glad that my brother Henry has gone to his trade, and hope he will prosper. Remember me kindly to all the boys and girls at the Home, and tell Miss Quayle and Miss Macdonald if all things go right, and I remain in my place, I most likely will be over in summer to see you all," &c.

Considering, all the circumstances of the past history, constitution, and mode of management, together with the present condition and prospects of the Home, and the growing need for such an institution, the Committee are resolved to prosecute their philanthropic undertaking with greater earnestness than ever. They are greatly encouraged to pursue such a course by the fact that the new and extensive buildings, erected at a large cost, of an institution which began something like our own, and is based on almost precisely the same principles, have been recently opened in Essex by the Right Hon. Mr Cross, the Secretary of State for the Home Department, and have secured the cordial sympathy and substantial aid of the civil and educational authorities of the county.

The Committee, notwithstanding their limited accommodation and other serious hindrances in the way of their doing what they wish, still pursue the methods of instruction, and of outdoor and indoor industrial training originally adopted, and they steadily aim, in terms of their constitution, to provide "the inmates with the comforts and instructions of a Christian household, combined with the appliances and advantages of a school, reformatory, and workshop, by their being lodged, fed, and clothed ; receiving thorough scriptural instruction, and such menta! educa: tion and iadustrial training as May suit their capacities, and enable them on leaving the Home to provide for them selves an honest livelihood by manual labour"

At the end of the year 1877 there were 47 children in the Home; of these 11 have left, G. and A. L. hare returned to their mother. When these children entered the Home their mother—a widow—was sick, and unable to support them. On recovering her health and marrying again, she, with the consent of her husband, took the children home again.—E. C. has gone to domestic service.—M. S., a cripple, and deaf, has been taken back by her mother,— J. C. is in domestic service in the country under direction of the Committee.— C. and A. H. were taken into the Home while their mother was in prison. After her release she demanded the children, who, with reluctance, were given up to her, and are now with herself living by begging.—T. K., apprenticed to a baker in Douglas, is giving satisfaction to his master.—J. McG. has been indentured as an apprenticed to a farmer in Yorkshire.— M. K. is doing well as a domestic servant in Manchester.— W. T., who was taken into the Home in 1871, and for some time caused no end of trouble and anxiety, has grown into a steady, inte!ligent young man, and has been fitted out and sent as an emigrant to Canterbary, New Zealand.

The number at present in the Home is 46 ; of these 28 are boys from 4 to 16 years of age. The girls are 18; the youngest is 4, and tho eldest 16 years. The average number of children for the year was 52. For above six months there were as many as 55.

Amongst other proofs of interest in the welfare and happiness of the children, the Committee are happy to acknowledge the gift of a beautiful and well clothed Christmas tree, highly prized by the children, and a substantial tea-feast given by his Excellency the Governor and Mrs Loch. The Committee alao gratetally acknowledge the following substantial gifts and bequests which have been received during the year viz., £100 as a donation by an executor of the late Capt, J, Kermode; £50 as a bequest by the late Mrs Catherine Kelly ; £200, a legacy by the late Mrs Elizabeth Madeley ; and a gift of £60 from Miss Susan Grave, in memory of her late brother, Peter Lawrie Grave Esq of this town — all of which sums have been added to the "Investment Fund" of the Home. The Committee are happy to report that there has been no death or even serious sickness among the children during the past year, That is all the more gratifying and extraordinary when the bodily condition of the children, as they are admitted, is taken into account. While this exemption from sickness must be in a measure aitributable to judicions treatment, it is no doubt also promoted by the healthiness of the position occupied by the Home, in consideration of this fact and for other reasons, the Committee, for some years past, have been anxious to purchase the premises and land now held by them: and they now ask tho friends of the, Institution kindly to take this important matter into their consideration. For a general and also a detailed view of the finance of the Home, friends are referred to the balance-sheets and subscription lists, which, as usual, accompany this report, and also to the illustrated sheet almanack, which will shortly be published.

While the Committee regret that owing chiefly to the large number of children supported during the past year,their expenditure is in excess of their income, yet they are not thereby discouraged, being very confident that, as the immense value of the Home becomes better understood, ways and means will be provided both for enlarging their opererations to save the destitute and for clearing off the debt of their general account. The Committee tender their most cordial thanks to the ladies who, at a great expense of time and labour, kindly act as collectors of the annual subscriptions; to the numerous friends who have taken charge of collecting boxes ; to Mr G. Barber for his arduous work in connection with the collecting boxes; to Mr Robertson, Mr Churchill, and Messrs Walter Cannell and Crellin for their kind services in the instruction of the children Dr, Adair for his services as medical attendant ; and to Mrs Caley for the free use of the rooms in Hanover-street in connection with Mr Russel's Home Mission Work. Considering that the work of the Committee for several years past has been extending beyond the limits contemplated when their original constitution, embracing both the work of a Home Mission and an Industrial Home, was framed, it bas been deemed desirable to give up Home Mission work, as such,and to make such alterations in the constitution as to bring into harmony with the present and probable future of the Institution. These alterations bave been prepared to be submitted to the annual meeting for approval. In conclusion the Committee would again earnestly press a calm and thorough consideration of the manifold claims of the Home to support, upon their friends and the public in general ; considering the catholicity of their constitution, and the amount and success of their past labours in rescuong the perishing and doing good to society at large, they are bold to ask for, not onl!y a continuance of past support but an increase, that they may be enabled to respond to the urgent appeals constantly made to them to take in destitute children and save them from the horrors and miseries of starvation and crime.

Information will be given and subscriptions received by Mr William Todhaunter, Market-place ; Mr Thomas Crellin, secretary, North-quay ; the several members of the Committee, or by Mr Russell, at the Home Mountain-view, to which visitors will be admitted between the hours of ten and twelve on Mondays and Thursday.

		see Children's Homes
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