METHODIST PROJECT

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31763, 21 August 1968, Page 12

METHODIST PROJECT

New Hostel At Ham

A hostel for women students would be built at Ham near the proposed new Teachers’ College, the North Canterbury district of the MetlV odist Church agreed at its annual synod yesterday. A report from the Deaconess Board said that the Methodist Social Services’ Association supported the scheme in principle. The Christchurch Methodist Central Mission was willing to oversee the hostel. The chairman of the board (the Rev. H. C. Matthews) said that it had been suggested that the Latimer Square hostel (known as Deaconess House) should be sold and the money transferred to Auckland, but it was considered that times were not propitious for selling a valuable property near the centre of the city, and that the hostel could be used for many years to come.

The synod passed a recommendation that Deaconess House should continue to be used as a hostel for women attending Teachers’ College or university, and that it be administered by a committee under the jurisdiction of the Central Mission. It was reported that the Deaconess Board would be transferred to Auckland to facilitate the work of the order and training of deaconesses.

The resignation of the Rev. W. A. Chambers as warden was accepted with regret, and the synod expressed its appreciation of his services. Mr Chambers said he wished to return to parish work. The question of a successor was held over for the national annual conference in November.