YOUTH HOSTEL OPENED

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25253, 4 August 1947, Page 3

YOUTH HOSTEL OPENED

CHRISTCHURCH CITY MISSION

ST. MARTIN’S HOUSE OF HELP The establishment by the City Mission of a youth hostel would fill a great need in the city, said the Mayor, Mr E. H. Andrews, on Saturday afternoon when he ’ officially opened St. Martin’s House of Help, 195 Antigua street, formerly a men’s guest house, as a hostel for youths. A dedication prayer was offered by the Primate of New Zealand (Archbishop West-Wat-son).

The Mayor said he had known the work when the mission used the premises for old age pensioners. At one time an allocation was made to the work by the Mayor’s Relief Fund. Now new work was being begun it was possible the grant would be reinstituted. The hostel was beginning in a small way, but he felt sure it would grow. It was important that youths coming to the city should be brought under the influence of the church and good living. They were often led into bad company because of the conditions under which they were forced to live. The atmosphere of the hostel would mean a great deal in the lives of many young men. The City Missioner (Captain F. C. Pearce) said the place, would not be just a boarding house. They were beginning with 10 youths and it was intended to increase that number to 15. The lowest charge was 17s 6d a week. The spiritual welfare of the boys would be looked after at all times, and it was aimed to train them into good citizenship here on earth, as well as to train them for citizenship in heaven. He wished to thank all those who had made gifts of different kinds to the hostel.

The acquisition of the property approximately 15 years ago had been made possible by the work of the late Rev. O. Fitz Gerald, said Archbishop West-Watson. St. Martin’s House at one time housed more than 40 pensioners During the war it had been adapted as a hostel for soldiers on leave, and it was now going to fill an important need in providing a home for youths from the country. He believed Captain Pearce had in mind a similar hostel for girls. Speaking for the Leader of the Opposition (Mr S. G. Holland), who was unable to be present, Mr J. T. Watts M.P., congratulated the mission on the commencement of its new venture.