FRIEND OF WOMEN.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 85, 11 April 1931, Page 9

FRIEND OF WOMEN.

MRS. ADA LEWIS DEAD. (Received 10.30 a.m.) LONDON, April 10. The death has occurred of Mrs. Ada Lewis, founder of the "Ada Leigh" Homes for British and American girls stranded in Paris.

Mrs. Lewis, who was born 91 years ago, spent a long period of her girlhood in Paris, and was stirred by the tragedies among young foreign girls who had lost their jobs there. She appealed with great energy to friends and prominent people in both France and England, including Queen Victoria, who expressed her sympathy, but regretteC she could do nothing in a foreign country. However, in 1872, Mrs. Lewiß had raised sufficient money to rent and furnish a house for several occupants. Her careful management ensured its success, and she soon had a much larger establishment on her hands. Four years after its inception the scheme was incorporated into an association under the title of the "Ada Leigh Homes," Leigh being the founder's name before her marriage ito Dr. J. Travers Lewis, Archbishop of Ontario. Next to its provision of shelter, the most valuable work of the organisation was the finding of new situations for the stranded inmates. By 1930 between 30,000 and 40,000 girls had enjoyed its benefits, and over 16,000 jobs had been found. A year ago last month Mrs. Lewis, who still took an active interest in the work, celebrated her ninetieth "birthday in London, and received a congratulatory telegram from Princess Louise, Duchess of Argyll, one of her most consistent and whole-hearted patrons.