LODGE FOR GIRLS.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 242, 12 October 1929, Page 15

LODGE FOR GIRLS.

FRIENDLY SOCIETY'S WORK. SYNOD APPOINTS TRUSTEES. PROVISION FOR FUTURE FINANCE. The council of the Girls' Friendly Society has approached the Anglican Synod for the appointment of a board of trustees to govern its endowments and funds. Provision was made for this in a bill introduced to Synod by Archdeacon W. J. Simkin last evening. Up to the present, it was stated, there had been some vagueness surrounding the control of the lodge. According to Archdeacon Simkin, many years ago the council of the Girls' Friendly Society opened a small lodge in Auckland. Eventually leasehold premises were secured in Wellesley Street. Part of the building on the site was demolished and a modern brick structure was erected. It was the intention of the council, when funds became available, to replace the old wooden portion by a building in permanent material. In order to carry out work already done the council raised over £4000. The secretary had in hand £1000 towards the cost of further rebuilding, the result of a donation by an anonymous person. Trustees had been appointed when the Wellesley Street property was purchased, but no method had been devised for filling vacancies. It was doubtful if any of the trustees still lived. The Archbishop acted, but there was no record of his appointment. The council felt that the work of the secretary at the lodge was of great value, and.it desired to see it continued for all time. Many girls were admitted to the lodge who were not members, and the question had arisen as to what would become of the lodge, if the secretary ceased to function. The archdeacon pointed out that there was no deed of trust governing the lodge property or funds handled by the council, apart from the endowment fund. Therefore the council had decided to approach Synod, firstly, to provide a method for the appointment of trustees, and secondly, for a statute to declare the trust upon which the lodge and property should be held if, at any time, the society itself went out of existence. The bill, which was read a second time, provides for five trustees, including the bishop of the diocese. . The members, other than the bishop, are to be elected by the council.of the .society, one retiring each year, but being eligible for reelection. It is also- laid down that the "Wellesley Street premises shall be maintained as a lodge for girls, although the trustees will have no part in the control or management of the lodge. The £10.000 now in hand will be held by the trustees and the use of this as well as other funds which come into the hands of the trustees will be determined by the council.