Memorial Board Room Of Y.W.C.A. Dedicated

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 29001, 16 September 1959, Page 2

Memorial Board Room Of Y.W.C.A. Dedicated

A new period in the administrative planning of the Christchurch Y.W.C.A. was ushered in yesterday with the dedication of the newly-fumished board room. The handsome, oak U-shaped table, 24 chairs covered in blue leather and a presidential chair bearing the triangular crest and initials of the Y.W.C.A. were dedicated as a memorial to Sir John McKenzie.

Before the dedication ceremony the president of the board of directors (Miss C. Robinson) spoke to about 50 visitors who were past and present members of the board and of the men’s advisory board, their husbands and wives. A specially-invited guest was Mr R. A. McKenzie, son of Sir John McKenzie, who flew from Wellington especially to be present. Miss Robinson welcomed the guests who included many members of the board and advisory board of past years. Sir John McKenzie was again benefactor to Y.W.s in Christchurch and in other centres, she said, and the generosity of Sir John McKenzie and Lady McKenzie had meant much to the organisation. Miss Robinson recalled that six years and a half ago Sir John McKenzie and Lady McKenzie were taken one afternoon on a tour of the Y.W.C.A. buildings. It was typical of Sir John McKenzie’s quiet and unassuming manner, she said, that he had said little but observed much. In the laundry, for instance, there had been a j wringer in bad repair and although i Sir John McKenzie had said nothing, the next day a new one was delivered. Shortly afterwards Lady McKenzie became associated with Latimer hostel and Sir John McKenzie joined the ad-

visory board of the Y.W.C.A. on which he remained, giving valuable advice and assistance, until his death. Use of Bequest The sum of £lO,OOO which Sir John McKenzie left to the organisation, Miss Robinson described as “a dream for the Y." “We depend on the support of the community and our needs always run far ahead of our finance,’’ she said. Most of the money was invested, the interest used for Latimer and Riverlaw hostels and £lOOO put aside for extension work. “I think Sir John McKenzie would have been well satisfied with the use to which that money has been put,” she said. “There are no other hostels in Christchurch just like ours which provide a home for young working girls who cannot afford to pay much board.”

When people asked “Just what does the Y. do?” it was difficult to explain fully. The work of clubs and hostels came immediately to mind and what was more important at present than that clubs and activities should be provided for young people? Miss Robinson asked. The work might not be spectacular but it was enduring. Teaching young people to work for the service of others provided a background of security, friendship and hospitality which stood them in good stead in adult life.

“It is good to feel that wherever they go they can find a Y. where there will be a welcome.” she said. Sir John McKenzie and Lady McKenzie had grasped very quickly the value of the work. “The building may be a bit battered inside and out but that

does not worry us—it is the welcome and spirit that pervades it that counts and we hope our board room will be a place of peace and goodwill.” Mr R. A. McKenzie congratulated the board on its fine choice of board room furniture. Because his father had not been able to give his time to community work until the last 10 years of his life he had wished to recognise by contribution those who gave their time—the greatest gift of all in his opinion—to a worthy cause. Portrait Presented The Rev. D. D. Thorpe, who officiated at the dedication service, said the actions which would carry out the thoughts and plans and prayers of those who met in the board room could have significant and far-reaching effects. Blessing the room and those who would meet in it and enter into self-giving love in planning and making decisions, he said: “The Lord gave of Himself and that is what board members must surely do.” After the dedication service, Mr McKenzie presented a framed print of a portrait of his father painted by Edward Halliday, which was hung over the mantelshelf. A plaque commemorating the occasion was affixed to the wall.

The afternoon sun, through the windows played up the troughs of vivid yellow forsythia and daffodils which decorated the room. The entrance hall was speciallydecorated with magnolia blossoms and forsythia, and spring flowers were set on the tables where afternoon tea was served.