WOMEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION

Evening Star, Issue 18741, 17 September 1924, Page 1

WOMEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION

ANNUAL MEETING. The forty-sixth annual meeting of the Y.W.C.A. was held in the association’s rooms last evening. Mr W. H. Adams presided. PRESIDENT’S REMARKS.

Mrs J. Sutherland lloss (president) snid in her opening remarks that she became president in April last owing to the resignation of Mrs J, J. Clark through ill-health. It came upon her rather suddenly, and eha felt inexperienced to undertake the woi’k. She wished to thank her fellow board members for their help, encouragement, and kindly criticism, and others for their assistance. She wished to emphasise the facts of the resignation of Miss Benthara, who did such splendid work; the good work done by Miss Bertinshaw, who had devotedly filled the post of acting general secretary the last few months; the capable management of the hostel by Miss Rosevenr and her assistant, Miss Gillies; the interesting growth of tho Girl Citizens’ movement, under Miss Driver; the efficient way the cafeteria was run under Miss Lawford ; and the excellent headway the extension department was making under Miss Perry. The speaker stressed tho need for an increased membership, and stated that special efforts for raising money were good in moderation, but too many were a big strain on tho association and too big a drain on the public. To carry on tho work efficiently it was absolutely necessary to have more subscribers. She did not ask existing members and subscribers to give more, but to help by extending the knowledge and interest of tho association’s work. SUMMARISED REPORT. A summary of the annual report reads ns follows: —There had been many changes throughput tho year, and a marked advance had been made in every direction, but noticeably through tbo 'acquisition of the new recreation hall at the rear of the administration building. That had made possible _ the development of tho work and the initiation of a new department. During the year Mrs J. J. Clark, president of tho association, resigned for health reasons., Mrs Clark had been president during a year when big advance steps wore taken, and it was largely duo to her foresight that tho association had a recreation hall of which the girls of Dunedin could he justly proud. Mrs J. Sutherland Ross, formerly a vice-presi-dent, was elected president of tho association, and Airs W. 15. Taverner a vice-president in her place. Tho personnel of tho administration staff has almost completely changed. In September. 1923, the resignation of Miss Sellars (cafeteria manageress) was received, and in Novomber Miss D. Lawford was appointed to fill tho position. Tho girls’ department also lost the valued services of Miss Dorothy Kentish, who, after fulfilling her three years’ contract with the Dunedin board, returned to her homo in Adelaide. In January of this year Miss Ethel Driver took up the work of tho girls’ work secretary, and in February Miss Perry was appointed to develop the work of the now extension department, Tho financial turnover had increased by a fair amount, while the expenditure had gone up proportionately. Hostel returns were not quite up to tho previous year, hut fluctua,tions of that sort were to ho expected, as they reflected the conditions prevailing in the city’s industrial life. Higher costs had no doubt swelled the purchases necessary for efficient working, and many items had boon included which justified it being said that the hostels were more up to date and comfortable than when the period under review was commenced. A gymnasium class under the leadership of Mr J. -V . Hanna (Y.M.O.A. physical director) had had a successful season, the roll number beiug seventy-five. The lawn tenuis club opened on September 22 with an attendance of 100 members and visitors. The swimming club bad a. membership of fifty. The basket hall dub had placed three teams in the field, while tbo hockey club bad done exceptionally well, the B 1 team being winner of the championship cup for 1924. Extensive renovations bad boon made to the. hostel during the year. Financial results had been satisfactory. The average number of permanent residents had been forty-six, while 925 visitors had staved for varying periods. Tho year had been one of difficult experience for many girls, tho prevailing conditions of trade and commerce having necessitated a change of occupation in several instances. The membership of the girls’ department stood at 260, of whom 150 were club members, but a larger percentage of the girls using the cafeteria and lounge daily were schoolgirls and young business girls. Tho club movement in operation was the girls’ citizen movement. This year had seen tho growth of that movement in New Zealand, and had been a testing time of methods and organisation. The movement was well established in the dominion, and was one that was training girls for a larger sphere of citizenship and giving them a high standard for womanhood. The Dunedin community of girl citizens was divided into eleven sections, which met weekly under the leadership of councillors. Club activities were planned by the members themselves, who kept before them the aim of all-round development. Among the list of subjects taken in clubs were general knowledge, home nursing, citizenship, discussions, dramatics, Bible study, story-telling, games, contests, club-swinging, physical culture, etc., as well as tbo social interlude of teas and parties. A combined programme was carried through during the summer months, and attracted an average of fifty girls weekly. The programme

comprised a singing class under tins direction of a capable leader, games and stories, and educational talks from experts on such subjects as sex hygiene, the children’s charter, kindergarten work, Esperanto, the Y.W.0.A.. round tlio world, and a Karitano demon stration. Camps and outdoor activities had made their appeal, and during tho year about sixty girls had attended holiday camps held at Taiaroa Head, Pukotoraki, and. Taicri Mouth. Four girls were sent as delegates to tho Y.W.C.A. General Conference in Christchurch in January. Saturday trips and sports had been freely indulged in, and the girl citizens shared in the opening of the new hall with a unique concert. Tho proceeds from this concert were devoted to the world fellowship fund, which had been kept well before the girls. That amount, and the money raised by a fair and weekly collections, amounted to £45. Thanks woreduo to all who had supported the association’s work, particularly those who responded so generously during the year to tho special call made upon them, and by their _ financial assistance enabled tho association to'widen its borders and place tho extension of tho work on a satisfactory basis. There was a credit balance of £340 Is Cd. CHAIRMAN’S REMARKS.

< Tho Chairman, in moving, the adoption of the report, congratulated tho members of the board on tho success of the year’s work. .Mrs J. J. Clark’s resignation was much regretted, as she had for many years taken a prominent part in the association’s work. It was hoped that in the near future Mrs Clark would again join the board. Their new president, Sirs J. Sutherland Ross, had already won the esteem and confidence of members. She had taken up the duties with characteristic enthusiasm, and had devoted a great amount of time and energy to tho work and was a worthy successor to the devoted woman who had preceded her. Tho retirement of Miss A. M. Bentham (general secretary) had caused much regret. Miss H. Bortinshaw, the acting secretary, had a most difficult position to fill, and had done very good work. But for the loyal support of the whole staff, though, the work would have been impossible. Perhaps the most notable of the special events of the year was the opening of the new hall. The board had for many years felt the need of it, and the results had far exceeded anticipations. A large number of young women were being attracted by the sports side of the association, and the Blue Triangle clubs were prominent in competitions. Women were in everinci easing numbers taking prominent positions in tho affairs of the world, and it was essential that they should be well equipped. The girl citizen movement was well established. Tho association stood for development of Christian character, and usefulness and for-the improvement of the intellectual, spiritual, physical, and social condition of young women. They wore thankful to God for what had been accomplished, and entered the new year in faith. The speaker concluded by stating that Mr J. Barr had. been of valuable help in the financial work. . . ' . STEADY ADVANCE MADE. . Mr Jas. Barr, in seconding-tho adoption of the report, stated that steady advance had been made during tho year, and that although soma of the-de-partments had -shown a decrease tho whole position was satisfactory. He stressed the need 'for - bigger membership, saying that the men-should bo interested. He eulogised the services of Miss H. Bertimshaw (acting general secretary). The report was adopted. '. REV. YUILLE’S ADDRESS.

Tho Rev. Tulloch Yuillo delivered a brief address, stressing in tho course of this tbo need for faith. To possess attributes for the accomplishment of great deeds was to possess power. Tho one precious thing that we liad was the knowledge of tho reconciling,' pardoning love of God in Jesus Christ. He hoped the churches in Dunedin would become more remarkable because they had tho hidden power of God. , GENERAL. ' Mesdames W. J. Bardslcy, 0. M. Begg, J. S. Ross, W. B. Taverner, and Miss Glasgow wore elected board members, and votes of thanks were .passed to the Rev. Mr Yuille, tho solicitors, auditors, the chair, and the Brefis,