Y.W.CA, WORK

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 78, 29 September 1930, Page 13

Y.W.CA, WORK

USEFUL ACTIVITIES

Tho aminal report of the Wellington branch o£ the. Young Women's Christian Association, to be presented at the meeting to beheld this evening at the Boukott Street Hall, shows a very fine j'ccord of .work in "many directions for the benefit of the girls of the city, the travelling girls, and those who arrive from overseas.

Brougham Street Hostel houses 75 girls away from home, all workers, who arc happy together in a home-like atmosphere, with entertainments such as picnics, dinner-parties, dances, and guests of interest and honour to share this happy place, such as Kimura San and others. These girls help their homeplace by sales of work, providing bas-ket-ball frocks and many extras with the utmost good will. The religious duties arc of importance and Sunday service and participation in the World's Week of Prayer are regarded as happy duties by a number of the residents*. Tte« Boulcott S&eski Hostel meets a

"roat and growing need. Visitors mmv berin" 2095 passed through this establishment during . the year, while the lounge was used to tho utmost ot «& accommodation, and it was one ot tne needs that this should be enlarged and improved. Tho inquiry office attached to this lias done a great work, with letters, parcels, messages, addressing hundreds of letters and papers, booking rooms, and dealing tactfully and kindly with many problems. "A sense of humour," says tho report, "is ono of tue . qualifications necessary to carry out this branch of work." The cafotona _, lias also done fine service, as no tewer than 39,022 meals were served during tho year, this being a slight decrease owing to the fact that the whole thing had to bo remodelled, and it was closed for some time for hot meals. However, after the Cafeteria Committee, witn Miss Scott as an able manager, had re-arranged the whole thing, it proved self-supporting, and a most successful part of the establishment. A band ot voluntary helpers assist at this brancli of work, and sincere thanks.are tendered to them. , The Overseas Committee welcomed 111 girls from'the Homeland, and 75 of these stayed at the hostel till employment was found for them, and all look on the association as a headquarters where letters can be addressed, friends met, and appointments made. A "Southern Cross Club" has been formed, and in connection with this_inany pleasant parties are given and activities carried out. The Thrifty Club (another useful institution) deposited the sum of £4100 during tho year. Tho Thrift Cups were won by the girls at tho Victoria Laundry, and at W. S. Livingston and Co. The Nursing Division has learned a great deal, thanks to St. John Ambulance lectures and' general instruction. The members have done duty at the grounds where women's sports of_ all kinds are in progress. In- the various examinations the association classes have been most successful in passing with honour.

The national and administrative activities have, been very great, as well as special Sunday ones, with assistance given to Bible' Class Rallys. and regular Bible classes taken by various leaders, all of whom have done excellent work. It is felt by the Board of Directors, by the general secretary (Miss Elizabeth Macdonald), and other workers for the Wellington Y.W.C.A. that people are apt to forget that the association needs an ever-increasing membership to cope with the ever-increasing expenditure which is necessary to carry on such a great work as is accomplished here. The roll of membership sit'present shows 4SO members, and it is urged that help is needed to greatly increase this number to give effect to the plan's which Miss Macdonald and tho various committees would like to carry out in addition to tho work already being done.

Social events included the welcoming of Their Excellencies Lord and Lady Bledisloe, and the farewell to Lady Alice Fcrgusson. Miss Kimura San was also a guest of honour. It is mentioned that the hall has been let quite frequently, and has brought the association in pleasant touch with, other activities. After consideration, it is stated, it has been' decided that it is in the best interests of the association that the Boulcott streot property should bo sold, and a new building erected on another site. It is hoped that this "dream may come true" and that the association may have another building of which all may be proud within thu near future. • .

Although tho statement of income and expenditure shows an excess of expenditure over income amounting to £925 ■J.s lOd, it is found that: when the amount of depreciation, viz., £1000, ant) the amount paid off the Public Trust mortgage are taken into account, the <»jocnditure exceeded the income by £228 3s 2d. This is an improvement pu the previous year's statement, duo to the generosity of friends and board members in organising a number of special and successful efforts.