GIRLS' HOSTEL

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 271, 15 November 1943, Page 5

GIRLS' HOSTEL

OPENED IN CITY

ARRIVING FROM OTHER TOWNS

Warwick House, in Wellesley Street West, a hostel for girls working in the city, was opened by the Mayoress, Mrs. Ahum, yesterday afternoon. She pointed out that it would accommodate over 20 girls, and should thus alleviate to some extent the problem of obtaining suitable accommodation in the city, with the resultant drifting about the streets. Mrs. Allum expressed appreciation of the action of the Council of Christian Women in purchasing the building. Other speakers were Mrs. Alexander Hodge, president of the Council of Christian Women; Adjutant G. Sawyer, of the Salvation Army; Mr. F. C. Pace, president of the Council "of Christian Congregations; the Rev. A. S. Wilson, and the Rev. J. K. Reid, president-elect of the Auckland Auxiliary of the Baptist Union. Music was provided by the Newton Corps of the Salvation Army Band. A two-storeyed building, Warwick House was erected 83 years ago as the manse for the Rev. James Thornton, pastor of the first Baptist Church in the Auckland Province. It has been renovated and modernised, and it is hoped that it will be even more attractively decorated and furnished in time. Mrs. Hodge said this morning that three girls had been living there since November 1, and more were expected this week. Most of them were coming from other towns, having heard of the hostel and applied for admission. One was from Taumarunui, and there was a British trirl who is coming from as far away as Fiji. All meals were supplied and girls were coming in to lunch. There was a sitting room for the girls and the bedrooms were single and double, while a few had three and four beds. It was planned to set one room aside for "casuals." Miss H. Rice, late of East Bengal, who has been a missionary in India for 28 years, and Mrs. Black, who has had experience with Maori mission work, "are in charge of the hostel. Mrs. Hodge said the aim was to provide a really homelike atmosphere, and girls would be able later on to brings friends there. She spoke warmly of the help given by volunteers in spring cleaning and furnishin? the hostel. The girls had a radio and sewing machine, but no piano as yet, she said. Gifts would be welcomed for use in the hostel, which was open for inspection to-day.