A NEW HOSTEL

Evening Star, Issue 22754, 15 September 1937, Page 17

A NEW HOSTEL

REQUIRED BY Y.W.G.A. YEAR'S ACTIVITIES REVIEWED A year of notable progress, which embraced every activity of the Young Women’s Christian Association, was received at the fifty-ninth annual meeting and birthday party of the association last night. The urgent need for a new hostel, owing to many- young women being unable to secure accommodation, was stressed as one of the major reflections of tho increasing popularity of the association. A special endeavour is to be made to secure funds during the next 12 months for the erection of a modern and spacious hostel. The president (Miss I l '. J. Ross) was in the chair, and there was a large attendance of members and persons interested in the activities of the association. BIRTHDAY CELEBRATED. The function commenced with a devotional service, and was followed by the formal business, which included a tableaux staged bv 10 representatives of the various clubs of the association displaying placards depicting the principal results of the year’s work. The musical part consisted of the singing of a Percy Grainger composition by Miss Evelyn Bovctt, the accompanist being Miss Helen M‘Caw. The cutting of tho birthday cake and supper concluded the informal nature of the gathering. MOTION OF CONDOLENCE. Reference to the death of Mrs James Barth since the publishing of the annual report was made by Miss Ross, who said that for more than 30 years she had been closely associated witli the activities of the association, and had taken a lively interest in its progress. A motion of sympathy was carried. INCREASED MEMBERSHIP. “ This has really been a wonderful year in sipitc of many vicissitudes,” commented Miss Ross, moving the adoption of tho annual report and balance sheet. She eulogised the generosity of tho many benefactors of the association, which had greatly benefited by their kindness; the board of directors was extremely grateful to them. Tho membership of the association was 915. and the value of the cafe was reflected in the number of persons who daily patronised it—approximately 120. She congratulated tho convener of the Membership Committee (Mrs P. L. Ritchie) on her splendid efforts in connection with increasing the numerical

strength of the association. She had this question at heart, and it was principally due to her that the returns for this year exceeded what was budgeted for last year. The various clubs and other interests for girls were mentioned by Miss Ross, who described their progress in terms of the annual report (already published), and particularly referred to the enthusiastic work of Miss H. Hislop, the health and recreation mistress. The motion was seconded by Mrs C. M. Begg, who traversed the financial position of the association and said that although the accomplishments had not been as successful as was hoped, due principally to alterations to the hostel costing £SOO, the past year could, nevertheless, be counted as an eminently successful one. Sho enumerated the activities in various parts of the world of past secretaries of the association, and told the meeting that they were still keenly interested in the work of the Y.W.C.A. in Dunedin. The report and balance sheet were adopted without comment. DIRECTORS ELECTED. Messrs R. W. S. Hotting, H. P. Kidson, P. L. Ritchie, H. D. Skinner, J. M. Samson, G. Billing, and Miss F. M'Namara were re-elected to the board of directors. Messrs Barr, Burgess, and Stewart were re-elected honorary auditors, and Messrs Brugh, Calvert, and (Barrowclough honorary solicitors to the association.