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THE CHILD'S GUARDIAN.
The Society and the Helping Hand.
A BOY TRAMP'S FUTURE.
APRIL, 1930.
APRIL, 1930.
"This case appears to me to be a striking example of what can be done when the opportunity arises. From all I hear the boy is likely to be set up for life and his future now is a very bright one.”—Branch Hon. Secretary.)
This note, at the foot of a report received from the Doncaster Branch, reflects the views of an ex- perienced Hon. Secretary. It does something more- it emphasises the " helping hand "of the Society and its far-reaching effect in cases which would appear at first to offer little prospect of anything except the ordinary routine with its uncertainties and difficulties. Yet there are many men and women in this country to-day, and many abroad, who owe all their happiness and success in life to the protec tion afforded them by the Society, for the simple reason that the right step was taken at the right time. Each case has, of course, its own special features which have had to be dealt with, but the outstanding fact is that when the Society holds out the "Helping Hand it does not withdraw it until its work is accomplished.
The particular case that prompts these comments has also had a very happy ending, or rather begin ning, for no one can foretell what has been opened to the boy who, through the vision of an Inspector, has just entered upon a new life in a new world. The facts are not only interesting but peculiarly
valuable as a demonstration of the extent to which the Society, under its Royal Charter, can go in helping, and affording protection to, those in need. Here was a boy of thirteen who was seen by a vigilant Inspector in the main street of a northern town. He appeared to be alone-deserted and uncared for. His very appearance gave the im- pression he was homeless. To employ the more expressive description of the Inspector," the lad He was standing by an was standing as if lost." old perambulator covered with a piece of old canvas. When asked where he came from he told the Inspector he had walked from a town ten miles away, and that his mother and sister, aged 18 years, were travelling with him, but had got on a 'bus. All he could do, said he despairingly, was to hope they would find him. When the Inspector asked further questions, this is what he was told :-
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"I have been tramping for nine years. I have never seen my father but the man my
THE LOOKING-GLASS BALL. Many will have seen notices in the daily Press concerning the Looking-Glass Ball in aid of the Society's funds which is to take place at Grosvenor House on the evening of Monday, April 28th. The Lady Aberdare is very kindly acting as Chairman of the Ball Committee with the Hon. John H. Bruce (Hon. Assistant Director to the Society) as Vice- Chairman.
A delightfully original idea has been devised for the ball, guests being asked to come with their own reflections. There are to be prizes for the best of these. How often have we seen two people bearing startling resemblances to each other? On the 28th April these likenesses are to be brought to the
mother lived with left her some time ago.
I have only been to school when we have been forced to go in the Union. I don't know my tables."
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"What have you had to eat to-day? asked the Inspector. "Two pieces of bread and margarine and a drink of water on the road," came the answer. On this fare he did a ten miles' tramp, and still proposed making for a city miles further on.
The perambulator was searched and found to contain a piece of canvas, some old clothing and a blanket— the bed-clothes of the family when they slept under
hedges! Such had been the boy's lot from four years waited, but as the mother failed to put in an appear- of age. For some time the Inspector and the boy
ance the thirteen-year-old tramp was taken to a place of safety and given a good meal. Asked if he would like a good home where he would be cared for and educated and given a chance to become a useful man, he looked at the Inspector as if it was all too good to be true, and then, with an eagerness born of anxiety lest the dream might not materialise, he said,
Yes, I should be glad.'
A few days later mother and sister were found, and the Inspector then told the woman the great wrong she was doing her boy by exploiting him on the roads and making a vagrant of him, and offered, if she agreed, to find someone who would adopt the lad and give him a chance in life. She raised no objection and the family thereupon entered the Institution to await developments.
The next day the Inspector obtained a good home for the boy, who has since been adopted through the Court. He is now attending a Borough Council School, and is leading the normal life of a happy boy, and has left behind him for all time the weary tramping of the high roads with all its consequences. "I am glad to my heart you saw me that day," he told the Inspector.
Who knows what the thirteen-year-old tramp may yet become?
pitch of perfection by the guests at the Looking- Glass Ball.
"O wad some power the giftie gie us Tae see ourselves as ithers see us!
On April 28th it will be difficult to know which is the reflection and which the reality!
Those wishing to buy tickets for the ball may obtain full particulars from Victory House.
A father was so impressed at the change for the better in his home that he asked the Inspector if he had any fee to pay for his visits. He was told that the Society's reward was the knowledge that the children would have a happier time in the future than in the past.
to Children.
THE CHILD'S GUARDIAN.
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National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty | of crippled children actually walking, as found by the
Society, followed by equally striking living pictures of the same cases after successful treatment. The only imagination required in future will be in the acceptance of the fact that the cases shown are merely typical examples of the many the Society is privileged to help. All that is required now, therefore, is that the new film shall be given the widest possible publicity.
Incorporated by Royal Charter. PATRONS THEIR MAJESTIES THE KING AND QUEEN. Central Executive Committes. Chairman The Rt. Hon. The Viscount ULLSWATER, G,C.B. Vice-Chairman-F. P. WHITBREAD. Deputy Vice-Chairman----C. H, STJ. HORNBY, ALFRED ADAM (Scarborough and District), H. ARMITAGE (Workpeople's Committees), Mrs. WILFRID ASHLEY.
ALFRED BRIT.
Sir THOMAS BRAMSDON (Portsmouth and District), Hon. JOHN H. BRUCE (Wales and Monmouthshire). Sir ROBERT BRUCE, C.B, (Bromley, Beckenham, Chislehurst
and District).
EDWIN H. BURDEN.
Mrs. SCOTT CATER (Westmorland and District-Windermere). HOD. Mrs. FRANCIS COLBORNE (Wimbledon, Epsom, Sutton and
District).
H. L. D. ENGLEHEART (East Anglia).
Dr. FEGEN (Croydon and District).
Viscountess FOLKESTONE (Salisbury and District).
Viscountess HAMBLEDEN,
Sir EDWARD R. HENRY, Bt., G.C.V.O. Hon. A, HOLLAND-Hibbert (Watford District, West and Mid Herts). Rev. WILTON N. McCann, M.A. (Richmond and District) Brigadier-General ERNEST MAKINS, C.B., D.S.O., M.P. JAMES MARSDEN (Preston and District).
J. A. PALMER (Birmingham and District). Šir SPENCER PORTAL (Hampshire North). Lady PRINCE-SMITH (Craven District). Hon. Mrs. ARCHIBALD MAULB RAMSAY (Meath and South Louth).
SUSAN, DUCHESS OF SOMERSET, Dowager Lady SWAYTHLING (Southampton and District). Sir G. WYATT TRUSCOTT, Bt. (ex-officio).
J. I. WATTS (Northwich and Mid-Cheshire), Major Sir NEVILE R. WILKINSON, K.C.V.O. (Dublin and
District).
Hon. Treasurer Sir G. WYATT TRUSCOTT, Bt,
Hon. Auditor—R. R. CHALE. Director-WILLIAM J. ELLIOTT, Consulting Director-Sir ROBERT PARR, O,B.E, Hon. Assistant Director-Hon. JoHN H. BRUCE. Assistant Secretary-F. J. MEнIW. Bankers BARCLAYS BANK LTD. (Charing Cross Branch). Auditors—GÉRARD VAN DE LINDE & SON, Chartered Accountants. Central Office: VICTORY HOUSE, LEICESTER SQUARE, LONDON, W.C.2. Telegraphic Address: “CHILDHOOD, Westrand, LONDON," Telephone No.: Gerrard 1550 (four lines). Organising Secretary in Ireland CAPTAIN STOREY, B.A., M,B,E,.
75. Upper Arthur Street, Belfast. Dublin Office-20, Molesworth Street.
The Gift.
NOTES.
In memory of happy associa- tions with her child, who recently died in her eighth year, a mother bore the cost of a tea in connection with a meeting of the Society in the north of England. Those who attended, however, were asked to give their usual donations, which were handed over to the Society in remembrance of her loved one.
The New Film.
Will friends kindly note the special reference, elsewhere, to the Society's new film? Valu- sub- able propaganda and stantial financial results followed the exhibition of the old film in various parts of the country. With the same co-operation and influence of workers for the Society everywhere, its successor, now ready for circulation, should prove an even greater source of revenue. The criticism very often made of the old film was that it left too much to the imagination. This has now been overcome by the reproduction
Ireland.
In the recognition of the value of the work of the Society and whole-hearted acceptance of its activities as a powerful agency
in the protection of children, Ireland continues to furnish an outstanding example. Wherever the Society is established it carries with it the undivided support of every section of the community and, when opportunity offers, a genuine and generous expression of public acknowledgment of all it is doing. In North and South the Society is privileged to have many friends, who, taking the wide view of its work, do their utmost in its behalf. The recent series of public meetings in the south of Ireland gave further evidence of this sympathy and co-operation which, translated into action, through the Inspectors, has over many years been the means of giving happi- ness to thousands of children. Among the friends of the Society in Ireland must be included the Press. Always generous in the space it gives, it rarely neglects the opportunity of editorial commendation to the public at large. The Society seeks increased support throughout Ireland as elsewhere, and one means of ensuring it is through the channel of public meetings.
The disaster at Paisley which, Safety in Cinemas. on December 31st, brought in its train the deaths of seventy children, has moved the edu- cation authority in whose area it occurred to seek legislation providing that in future only non-in- inflammable films shall be shewn to audiences composed mainly of children. Education authorities in England, Wales and Scotland have supported this demand, and in due course Parliament is to be asked to give its approval. With the catastrophe still fresh in the memory, no one will object to any provision that will obviate the repetition of a calamity that may even be worse in its results than that which plunged a town into mourning. The Paisley panic, it will be recalled, followed the ignition of a film in the operating box, and if the suggested remedy is a practical one a cordial welcome will be given to the commendable zeal of the Renfrewshire Education Authority in putting their proposal forward.
What is a "Sufficient Number"?
But there is another aspect of the safety question which deserves the close attention of all concerned. The Children Act contains a section relating specifically to "Safety of children at entertainments," in which it is provided that "where an entertainment for children, or any entertainment at which the majority of persons attending are children, is provided, and the number of children who attend exceeds one hundred, and
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No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.