Y.W.C.A.

Evening Star, Issue 24006, 3 October 1941, Page 6

Y.W.C.A.

ANNUAL REPORT “ As another year closes, we find ourselves still under the shadow of war, and, consequently, are faced with sterner demands on our time and energy, if we are to face up to the purpose which called us into being 63 yeays ago, and for which we still stand,” says the President of the Young Women’s' Christian Association in the annual report. “ The crisis makes the opportunity, and to-day we are called into a larger sphere of service than ever before. Not only are the local needs greater, but the association has also gladly accepted the new work which the war has made necessary, and is now standing alongside the uniformed women and girls as ‘ guide, philosopher, and friend,’ both in our own land and in the Middle East, where our own Miss Jean Begg is in command. Into the new year of greater need for wholehearted service, may we go forward, ‘ doing with our might what our hand tindeth to do.’ , “ The administration of the Y.W.C.A.,” the report goes on, “ has bfeen carried out by the board of directors, assisted by eight standing committees, each with one aspect of the work of the association. The advisory board has met when called upon to advise on any matter referring to finance or the upkeep of the buildings. Several major repairs were made to the administration and hostel buildings during the year. Repairs carried out last year have proved effective, but further repairs are necessary to the hostel entailing a large expenditure. The cost of repairs for the year amounted to over £IOO. This constant drain on finance thrust the plan for rebuilding still further into the background. A valuable piece of extension work was the opening of the Milton Hostel, this being made possible by the co-operation of the late Mr Peter M’Skimming, the directors of the Bruce Woollen Mills Co., and the residents of Milton. Miss Kathleen M’Rae (late of Auckland Y.W.C.A. Hostel) is in charge. A local committee, under the direction of Mrs Jas. Gray, is responsible for the management of the hostel,” War work was carried out by members of the Y.W.C.A., Lady Galway Guild, knitting and sewing by hostel residents, club girls and members, entertainment of men at the Services Welcome Club, assistance in training groups of women and girls for the Women’s War Service Auxiliary, co-opera-ticn with the Y.M.C.A. entertaining men, from the camps, providing leisure time interests for girls whose friends are on active service. The membership was as follows: —Sustaining and women members, 392; senior activities, 52; girls’ activities, 98; sports members, 360; hostel girls, 52; total, 95L Members of board and committees, 77; resignations, 13; deceased, 6; new members, 26,