GIRLS' FRIENDLY SOCIETY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXI, Issue 15488, 14 December 1910, Page 4

GIRLS' FRIENDLY SOCIETY.

.-—, A YEAR'S PROGRESS. The twenty-eighth annu.nl meeting r.f j the Girls' Friendly Society of the , Christchmch diocoso'was hold yesterday j afternoon, Bishop Julius presiding. j The report, which recorded a successfill year's work, stated that the necessity for a Girls' Friendly Society Lodge in Christchurch had not been lost sight | of, but unfortunately an excellent at- i ternoon's entertainment, held in Sep- ■ tomber in aid of the building fund, had j not proved a financial success. How- | ever, various branches had contributed , substantial sums, and several liberal donations had been received. Among these had been a grant of £lO f rom the Central Council, and £6 5s collected by Mrs Scott in England. It was proposed to devote these two amounts to some special object as a reminder of the kind interest taken by friends at Home, in the work. The question of eelling the Gloucester Street property had been discussed, but no further steps were to be taken at present, lne ! Lodge fund had now reached £323 18s fid. Tho examiner on Scripture papers had reported very favourably on them, but the marked decrease in the number presenting themselves for examination was much to bo lamented, notwithstanding that two new branches had been established. The judges of needlawork had been also extremely pleased with the quality of the work sent in. Two new branches had been opened during the year, at St Albans and Burwood. Tho Temuka branch, owing to Mrs Adcock's lone: illness and subsequent departure from New Zealand, had lapsed for some months, but it 'was now being revived, at the special request of some of tho older members. This was a most encouraging fact, for it showed that the privileges of the Society had been really appreciated. The revival had been so recent that as yet only eight members were, reported as having joined again. Unhappily, Temuka was still seeking for someone to take tho candidates' class. This difficulty seemed to be only too common, and it was probably largely in consequence of it that there was a great falling off in the total number of candidates. It was to he feared that if this went on it would, mean a weakening of the whole Society, because it was from the ranks of tho well-trained candidates that the most satisfactory members were drawn. Many departments of tho work were in soro need of helpers, who seemed to become more and more scarce. In spite or drastic revision of several of the rolls, the number of members in the diocese had slightly increased during 1919. al !« the reports showed much activity in tho branches. Commended members were now constantly arriving from England. Miss Whitaker met them in Wellington, while Mrs Hunter, on Miss Hill's departure, undertook to receive thorn on their arrival in Lytteltou and to arrange for their accommodation. The diocesan secretary tried, by means of letters, to keen in touch with those who'settled in the country. On. tho whole the year had been one of strenuous endeavour. A credit bnlanco ol £ls 9s 9d was reported.

Bishop Julius expressed pleasure at the. fact that the number of members had been increasing, notwithstanding the fact that the Society had been "weeding out." He was especially gratified at the. work done in earing for girls who came from the Old Country, and in tliis connection the work in Now Zealand had been favourably commented on at Home. The need ot a locko was still marked and they must work and pray for it. He was sure that the work of caring for new girls would go on, but it would be greatly oxpedited by the establishment of a lod«o. He had been concerned witii the lack of those willing to take charge of candidates' classes in one place and another. It opened up a big question, and he was reminded of the words, " It is better to give- than to receive. They must expect to give their very best to the Societv.. without expecting to receive from it all the time. (Applause.)

The Rev W. W. Sedgwick, in moving the adoption of tho report, said that he had visited the Girls' Lodge in Auckland, and had been greatly impressed with its value, and the separate parishes in Chmtchurch must make an effort to raise funds, ratlior than that a central entertainment should be held, •!s such a scheme meant taking young -rjrLs out to rehearsals frequently at night a thing ho deprecated. The building of a lodge might well be the subject of special intercession. Hfr wished the Society a success!ul year in every way-

Tho Rev G. A. Tobiu said that lie realised the Sanger of making too much of tho secular aspect of tho So : cictv's work, for the main object of the work was very different. The value of tho Scripture examination

could not bo over-estimated. The Society, he felt sure, would continue its good work, and he wished it all success-.

The report was adopted, and the following office-bearers were elected : Vice-president, Mrs Corfe; treasurer, Mrs Croxton; diocesan secretary, Mrs Wood; literary associate, Miss M. Ross; members of Council, Mcsdamcs Tobin, Burton, Seddon and Pratt. Votes of thanks were passed to the speakers and the office-bearers.