GEORGE STREET ALTERATION

Evening Star, Issue 22414, 11 August 1936, Page 2

GEORGE STREET ALTERATION

The restaurant business conducted by Mrs M‘Kenzie under the title of the O.K. Cafe, has been transferred to new premises in the same block in George street. Some months ago an announcement was made that the building occupied by the O.K. Cafe and several retail establishments had been sold to Shillings Ltd., which intended opening a store in Dunedin as well as in every other centre of the Dominion. The new premises occupied by Mrs M'Kenzie’s restaurant business, now known as Astor Cafe, were opened to the public yesterday. Considerable reconstruction of the building was necessary to suit the requirement of the lessee and the building was also extended 30ft to provide kitchen accommodation and other services. Floor space for about 40 tables has been provided and the accompanying surroundings have been designed and decorated along pleasing and up-to-date lines. Messrs Stone and Stunner were the architects for the work.

It is a recommendation for the consideration of the incoming committee that improved facilities shall be made available for the vocational and psychological testing of young people ivho seem to present special or peculiar problems. During the year employment was obtained for 581 boys and 305 girls, a total of 886. These figures would be larger if more young people were available to enter certain industrial works. It is pleasing to report that the large surplus of unemployed young people, hitherto a grave concern, would appear to have been absorbed in employment. Similarly, there are many fewer unemployed of about 18 and 19 years of age. It is interesting to note the large increase compared with previous years in the proportion of boys of 15 and 10 years of age placed in work during the year. Because of uncertainty concerning the basis of the proposed adult basic wage, employers are hesitating to engage a boy who will arrive at adult wage before serving the whole of a five years’ apprenticeship. On the other hand, it is pleasing to see a substantial increase in the proportion of 16-17 girls employed. Through the goodness of many friends our finances are in a condition sufficient to meet immediate payments. At the present time we require about £4OO a year to meet expenses. As out-

work continues to grow we find that' more funds are necessary if we are to carry out our proper functions and render full service to the community! Unless we can meet all the demands made for our sendees we must be content to see part of our duties undertaken by others or else to permit control of this work to pass out of our hands. It is felt by the committee that the business people making considerable use of our services might directly contribute to our finances; indeed, an appeal has been made in this direction, and we are grateful.to those who readily responded. It is hoped that those who have not yet contributed will come forward and assist tha association to discharge the obligation! which the citizens owe to our youth. We have to thank the Government for assistance, and also the Chamber of Commerce, the Manufacturers Association, the Rotary Club, the Employers’ Association, and the City Council for their generous contributions to our funds. Without the help of these organisations we could not have carried Once again we acknowledge our debt of gratitude to the V.M-O. A. directors for their co-operation in granting us the use of rooms for meetings and office facilities, in return for which we can make what is but an inadequate payment to their funds. . To those firms who have helped by doing our typing work we offer thanks.