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The Gisborne Photo News

 

19

Looking Back

Now that it has been decided to put the Heni Materoa Home up for sale by public tender, it is interesting to look back on the history of the home. And for the old pictures on this page we are indebted to Mrs L. R. Faulkner, Childers Road.

Promoted by the Cook County Women's Guild, the Heni Materoa Children's Creche (the first of its kind) was built and opened in Grey Street in 1908. The need for a home for children became obvious in the following few years. On May 1, 1913, the foundation stone for the new home was laid by the Mayor, Mr W. Pettie. The structure was named the Heni Materoa Home after Heni Materoa (Lady Carroll) who, along with Eruera Te Thura and Wetini Rikirangi, donated the two acres of land for the home. The home was officially opened by the next Mayoress, Mrs J. R. Kirk, on July 1, 1913.

In 1954 the guild opened the new Heni Materoa Home, debt free. The site, in Gladstone Road, was donated by the Gisborne Rotary Club.

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The present day home.

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Lady Carroll (Heni Materoa).

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The old Heni Materoa Home.

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Members of the staff and some of the children in the home in 1913.

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The children's committee of the new home. From left, sitting: Mesdames Scott, Townley, Maynard and Goffe. Standing: Mesdames Stevenson, Ackroyd, White and Steele.