WOMEN IN PRINT.

Evening Post, Volume XCII, Issue 76, 27 September 1916, Page 9

WOMEN IN PRINT.

THE Y.W.C.A.

GOOD WORK CARRIED OUT

UNDER DIFFICULTIES

The annual meeting of the Y.W.C.A. was held last evening in tlie association's rooms in Herbert-street There was a large attendance of members, and the Hon. J. G. W. Ait-ken. presided. Others present included the Mayoress (Mrs. J. "P. Luke), Mrs. Pearson (presir dent), Miss Kirch (secretary). Miss M'Lean. Mrs. M'Clay, Mrs. Adamson, Mrs. Hoby, Misa Lawson, and Mr. Allan. Tha aiinu.il report showed that a great deal of good work had been don. under difficult conditions. The great influx ot women and girls into tlie city, owing to war conditions, rendered further accommodation and equipment most imperative. In some directions the work was seriously crippled for want of more spaetj, and 101 l lamentably short of what; could be done under improved conditions. The report pointed out that in other largo centres the citizens had provided the Y.W.U.A with buildings to suit its unique purpose, but in Wellington, where the needs were greatest, there were not the same facilities. To meet the increased need it was decided to purchase a property in Boulcott-street In order to make the necessary alterations and complete the purchase tho sum of £7000 was required. Half this amount hud already been realised, and many thanks were due to those who, had con-, tributed and collected. Tire new quarters, however, were not available for some time, as the building had been let to tho V.M.C.A. as a hostel for soldiers, whose needs were . even more pressi'jig 'than those of the association. In connection with this it was mentioned that part of the patriotic work was the supplying of all volunta.ry help required at the hostel from members of the Y.W.C.A. and also the making of all the quilts and curtains needed for the furnishing. The anniversary meeting was held in the Concert Chamber, Town Hall, and tho proceeds of the evening amounted to £42 15s, which was given to the Mayor's Patriotic Fund. Assistance was also given to the V.M.C.A. on Rose Day, when £100 was raised for camp work in Egypt. The association allowed the use of a iroom to the Dominion Stocking League as a, depot and meeting place. Lectures on the war had been given; regular classes for first aid had been held; a. special week of intercession in relation to the war was observed, with an aggregate attendance of 220; meetings of intercession were held once a week also. With regard to administration most of those who have served on the board of directors were continuing to hold office. Mrs. Kersley and Mrs. Hobday had been granted leave of absence, and Mesdames Fossette, D. M'Lean, Lowe, Reich, and Miss Steel had found it necessary to resign.

Tho retiring members of tho committee were Mesdames Adamson, Campbell, Pieiclv M'Clay, Kersley, Pearson, and J. Hislop. These ladies wero all le elected, and Mrs. Kerr, M.A., was added to the committee.

The hostel report showed that tho annexe in Brougham-street was used almost exclusively for permanent boarders, of which there were 158, and the transient guests numbering 1221, were accommodated at Macdonald-cres-ccnt. It was mentioned that the de-/ roand on the hostel was so 1 great that the second-year girls-., had to be asked sometimes to leave and make room for new girls who had only just arrived in town. This caused great regret on the part of the management, "who did not like parting with. the girls, but felt that- the necessity of providing for girls unaccustomed to town life and ways must come first. An age-as well as a time limit had to be fixed, as the accommodation at their disposal was so inadequate. Clergy in the city radius had been asked lo notify the secretary of suitable homes where girls could be placed. Tho lunch and rest room was greatly appreciated by business girls. It was dainty and cheerful, and about seventy girls had a good luncheon thero each day. Good work had been done by tho Lyric Club, and the.musical training given by Mr.. F. S. Pope was much appreciated. There were study and literary circles, a shorthand speed\-lub, health talks and other lectures, all doing good work and well attended. The religious work was undenominational, and was calculated to develop Christian , character and usefulness. Prayer meetings and Bible study took place regularly, there being ninetyfour girls enrolled for the latter. Services and meetings took placo on Sundays and Thursdays, and tea followed the Sunday service. In the foreign department help had been given to support secretaries in China and India.

The Hon. J. G. W. Aitken, in the course of a few introductory remarks, said that the association in Wellington was only ten years old, and he congratulated all concerned on tlie vigorous and efficient work accomplished in. such a short time. All their work was patriotic, and the care and help given to young women and girls were as much helping along tho cause of Empire as the more direct methods. * .The girls did their part in setting free men in shops, offices, and factories, and he had no doubt that their work was as efficient as that of the munition and other workers in England.

Mrs. Pearson thanked all the officers and workers, and mentioned that the spirit of unity and cheerfulness was most gratifying.

Miss M'Lean said that the association needed to he like the giant of old Greek legend, with 50 heads and 100 hands. Heads for wisdom and hands Tor help were needed to cope with troubles and necessities in so many dire 'tons/ Only the fringe of the ne.- s of girls Was touched by the association, and she hoped that the people who were stewards of much money would realise this and render assistance where it was so urgently needed. She also paid a tribute to the magnificent work and organisation of the V.M.C.A.

Mr. Greig made a statement with regard to the Building Fund, which showed £2610 14s in donations, with' payments £2250; £-1000 was still required, and of this Mr. Aitken announced that nearly £3500 had been promised. Collecting cards would be distributed for the remainder. Tho membership was 792, 119 being under 20 years of age. The deaths of Mrs. Nichol, Mrs. Oldham, and Misses Palliser, Hopkirk, Allen, and Tingey were recorded with much regret. Votes of thanks were given to the officials and to the chair, and the evening concluded with a. short musical programmo and supper provided by the board of directors.

Miss Clarke Johnson has returned from a visit to Napier and Hastings.

Mrs. P. Ward has returned from Christeliurch, and is staying at. the Hotel Cecil.

Mrs. H. D. Crawford is leaving earlynext month for a visit to England.

The engagement is announced of Miss Winnie Shout, fourth daughter of Mr. .1. Shout, of Trentham, to Mr. W. 11. Olansen, Post Office, Trentham Camp, second son of Mr. O. Olansen.

A number of Victoria Hospital and ex-hospital soldiers gave Mrs. S. Hem)> ton a farewell "surprise" party on Monday evening at her home in Thompsonstreet, as she is leaving for Sydney on sth October, accompanied by her little daughter, and will probably be away six months. During, the evening Sergt. M'lntosb, in a suitable - little speech, presented Mrs. Hempton with a leather suit case as a mark of esteem for her kindness to soldiers while iii hospital, also in giving them parties and looking after their comforts in general. The evening came to a close with the singing of "For She's a Jolly Good Fellow," and three hearty cheers. Mrs. Hempton thanked the donors for their gift, and remarked that they could not have chosen a better night, as it was her birthday.

A very pleasant party was given on Saturday evening by Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Eastham at the Hataitai Bowling Pavilion, to celebrate their daughter's birthday, when dancing formed the principal amusement. There were many guests present, including a number of officers and others from camp.

. Miss Claude Douglas (Hawera) returned to her home on Saturday.

Miss Stafford is visiting Mrs. Charles Teschemaker at Blenheim.

Miss Annie Kenney, tlie well-known English suffragist, has arrived in Australia and appears to be an interesting personality. Before the war she was a rabid suffragist. .She endured imprisonment and fought recklessly for the ideals of her party. At the present time she* lias but ono idea—the welfare of the Empire. Her loyalty is intense, and she has no sympathy with Miss Pankhurst, Miss Goldstein, or other woman pacifists. It was said that Miss Kenney was bringing a petition, signed by ma.ny thousands of English women, imploring Mr. Hughes, Prime Minister of Australia, to return to England. However, Miss Kenney announced on her arrival that she had brought no such petition with her, neither was it F her intention to try and cajole the Prime Minister back to England. Such a petition does exist, however, and will be forwarded later on. Miss Kenney has como to Australia to rest and recuperate, and is much interested in all the women's questions there. She would offer no opinion ou the subject of conscription, as.she said she knew nothing about ,the conditions in Australia. - ' ■

Tho Christmas packing is going 01. with great energy and excellent method at the Town Hall. _\ Tear]y 1000 parcels were finished yesterday, and many more arranged for. Each parcel contains a pair of hand-knitted socks, a tinned plum pudding, a tin of meat paste, one of preserved milk, one of sweets, and soap and cigarettes. These are rolled in a handkerchief and tied with leather bootlaces, and finally make a neat and mostacceptable package. Each society that has given money has the privilege, of placing its own cards in a corresponding number of parcels. The Spinsters' Club has a number of neatly hand-printed cards, and Mr. and Mrs. Moorhouse have also given a number. The Liverpool Committee's -card is a New Zealand picture postcard, with good, wishes from Her Excellency on the one side, and the name of the Mayoress's branch of- the fund on the other, so that the men can acknowledge the gift by returning the card ir they wish. A number of the soldiers have returned the ctiocolate coupons, which is quite a good idea, as they can be saved and turned to good account.

Paper is known to be exceptionally valuable now-a-day.s, and housekeepers feel a qualm of conscience when burning it up in tho updinary, way, just to get -rid of it. However, a writer in the Scientific American states tha.t old newspapers may bo converted into an excellent fuel for lise in fireplace or furnace. The papers should be piled into a tub until it is about one-third full, and the tub then filled to the brim with water. When thoroughly soaked with water, the papers arc. squeezed into halls about the size of one's two fists, and thrown on the -ground in the sun to dry. They will have become so soft and pulpy that, a perfectly compact ball is-.easily formed. It will dry, if left in the sun long enough, until it is almost as hard as wood.

A new G-erman textile in which paper is spun with about 20 per cent, of cotton is being exhibited in Copenhagen, says an Exchange telegram. Unspun cotton in the form of down is glued to one side of endless rolls of paper and tho paper is then shorn into narrow bands, which aro spun with the cotton side outwards. Danish experts were shown "paper" underclothing, jerseyts, sheets, bandages, and horse blankets, but the cost of production of the cloth is saifl to be too high to allow of its competing with cotton or woollen cloth under normal conditions.

Twenty-four women have been elected to the Finnish Diet, according to arecent despatch from Petrograd. They constitute 12 per cent, of tho entire membership of the. Diet," and incidentally present new evidence that Finland appreciates tho benefit of" women's services in its legislative body. In 1913 Dr. Francis E. Clark visited Finland and reported that 17 women sat in the Diet, representing less than 10 per cent, of its membership. Dr. Clark said : " Whether it is due to the influence of women or not, Finland/is an exceedingly orderly and well-governed country."