Palmerston North Y.W.C.A,

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 171, 22 July 1939, Page 14

Palmerston North Y.W.C.A,

TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REPORT PRESIDENT’S FOREWORD. On July 2S of this year we can proudly record exactly twentyone years of service to the city of Palmerston North. During the early years of its inauguration, the maintenance of a Y.W.C.A. hostel was the only activity of the association; as the need arose, however, the educational and recreational work was begun, and although during the lean years, owing to enorm- j ous cost of upkeep and repair, the hostel had to bo disposed of, tho educational work went on apace. The urgent need of a hostel, however, is always before the board of directors, and tremendous efforts are being made to put aside funds for that purpose. Unless some provision for board for women and girls is soon made, the city of Palmerston North will find its effort to establish factories, which the new import restriction demands, severely hampered. In appealing to the public for funds, the board would like to point out that the benefit of such a hostel to a rapidly expanding city would be untold. During tho year we have to record, owing to increasing club activities, the appointment of a junior trainee-secre-tary—Miss B. Stuart —whose work with gymnastic classes and junior clubs is much valued. Tho board was very fortunate in securing tho very ablo and experienced services of Miss Millicent Jones, of Newcastle, Australia, who filled tho vacancy caused by tho transfer of Miss H. M. Saunders to Wellington Y.W.C.A. We would liko to place on record tho splendid work, especially among tho junior girls, done by Miss Saunders. I wish to thank the board of directors and the staff for their fine co-operation throughout the year. DORIS E. SMALL, President. The Purpose of the Y.W.C.A. “To unito women and girls in a world-wide fellowship, to help them to find a definite purposo in life, to bo honest and fearless in their thinking, to attain the fullest appreciation of tho joys of friendship, of service, and of beauty, and to interpret by radiant living the love of God, as revealed in Jesus Christ.” Membership Statistics. Annual subscribers, 52; women members, S 3; senior clubs, 50; girl citizens, 40; junior citizens, 40; French Club, 20; sports girls (exclusive of club members), 5; total, 238; annual subscribers making a total of 200. Summary of Groups and Activities. Board of Directors: President, Mrs. C. A. Small, Mesdamcs E. C. Barnett, K. Dean, D. Evans, P. Flood, R. Jamieson, F. G. Jolly, F. G Major, W. J. Phillips, G. G. Priest, J. Eainforth, Misses M. Forrest, J. P. Grigor. B. Kelly, C. E. Warburton. The resignation of Mrs. W. E. Winks was accepted with regret. Members met monthly for business meetings; held many social functions and worked unremittingly to build up finances; co-operatcd with various organisations. ..Advisory Board: Messrs. W. 3. Black, J. O. Boniface, 11. Christmas, A. Grigor, A. A. Langley, G. G- Priest and W. E. Winks supported tho association financially and were ready to help with advice in special circumstances. Honorary Auditor: Mr. W. C. Harrington. Business and Professional Women’s Round Table Club met twice each month and the programme included informal tea hour; survey of world events by Mr. R. H. Billens, editor of ‘ ‘ Manawatu Daily Times,” then general topics of interest, some of which were three talks by Mr. Stevens on “Maori Folk Lore,” “Maori Religion” and “Early Experiences in the Manawatu”; Mrs. Gabriel on “Central European Experiences”; Mrs. Major on “European Journey”; Miss Poole on “Occupational Therapy and Theatre Research Experience”; Miss Haro on “Au Pair in Switzerland and Germany.” Lyceum Club members | produced one of their plays. The presi- ; dent, Miss I. Madden, was elected to the i Dominion executive of the Federation ' of Business and Professional Women’s J Clubs of Y.W.C.A. of New Zealand. Lyceum Club, composed of business 1 girls, met each Thursday and programmes included “Keep Fit” period; study of drama under the leadership of -Mrs. Silson, and handcrafts instruction given by Mrs. D. Evans. Three plays were produced. Mr. A. R. McKegg gave au excellent exhibition of travel pictures o£ America and speakers at various evenings were Miss E. Law, Miss J. J Campbell, both of National Y.W.C.A., Miss M. S. Jones, as well as authorities on dress, diet, hair, etc. Members much appreciated the hospitality of Mesdamcs Evans, Flood and Silson at evenings in their homes. 3YD Club was organised to recruit younger business girls, who were fortunate in securing Miss Jordan as their advisor.' Programmes included Keep Fit period, games, evenings, handcrafts, travel talks, stories, and several special socials. French Club consisted of 20 High School girls under the leadership of Miss K. Birnie and met fortnightly for a programme of tea hour, games, songs, stories, playettes, all carried on in French, which became noticeably more fluent as time went on. The group maintained correspondence with pen friends in Y.W.C.A.’s in France, Belgium, Egypt and other French-speaking countries. Mothers’ Club was formed for the dual purpose of strengthening our work among girl and junior citizens and of assisting with finances. The group met monthly and worked in preparation for show stalls and while this proceeded the general secretary gave various talks. Membership numbered 7. Junior and Girl Citizens. Junior citizens met on Friday afternoons from 4 to 7 and numbered 40 girls who did handcraft, physical ivork, games, singing and vespers; they also enjoyed a gay tea hour. Girl citizens’ secondary school group met on Tuesday nights 7 to 9, with a membership of 40. Their counsellors were Misses Eggers, Fuller, Gibbs, Lees and Matthews, who helped organise the ! following activities: Guy Fawkes celebration, Christmas services and parties. Anzac service, bike hikes, concert pro-

grammes and socials with the Hi-Y division of the Y.M.C.A. The group was divided into four sections interested in drama, books and discussions, social work, music and art. Each section had a business meeting. Community gatherings -were held at Christmas and at Easter. Josephine Judd was elected chief citizen for 1939 to succeed Joyce Gilberd, who was chief citizen for 1935. A drama festival was held in July when Mrs. S. J. Bennett kindly acted as adjudicator; each section presented a oneact play which helped to make a very enjoyable programme to entertain parents and friends. The talent dis- 4 played was of a high standard. A very successful concert was held towards the Sports: The girls displayed a lively interest in several branches of sport; of these tennis and basketball were most popular. They entered a team in tho inter-house marching competitions and were congratulated on their good performance. They were asked to take part in the Physical Fitness Week celebrations, where they won much praise. Tennis stimulated keen interest and through tho generosity of the Fire Brigade their court was used for the season’s play. Basketball also proved successful and three teams entered tho Manawatu : Basketball Association’s competitive games which were played every Satur- j day. Two teams entered for King’s ( Birthday tournament in which 2S teams ( from Palmerston North and surrounding districts participated. Our “A” team reached the semi-finals. From September 2 to 4 sixteen girls visited Wellington to compete with the Wellington Y.W.C.A. girls at basketball, and ex-1 change ideas on programme work; in addition, sight-seeing and hospitality added to the pleasure of tho trip. Last summer tho new American baseball was introduced to the girls, who gave a demonstration game at the Fitness Week celebrations and were complimented on their interpretation of the game. Camps: Summer camp w T as held at the Y.M.C.A., Wanganui, where 29 girls spent a thoroughly happy fortnight, with swimming, tennis, tramps, river excursion and a “wind-up” banquet to which the townspeople were invited. Easter camp was held at the Women’s Institute Holiday House, Foxton, with a party of 24. In addition to the recreational programme, a series of talks on Y.W.C.A. work in different countries were given; services and camp fires also wero an important part of tho programme. Outstanding Events. | Visit of Miss Ruth Woodsmall: We rejoiced with the other associations of our Dominion in the visit of the world’s general secretary. Though Miss Woodsmall was with us for the brief space of one day, wo received encouragement and inspiration through tho meeting organised by tho board members and attended by a large group of representative women of the community in the afternoon and the conference of board members and club officers held at the home of our president at night. Visit of Mrs. P. C. Davie: We were honoured by a visit of Mrs. P. C. Davie, of New Plymouth Association, who had only just returned from the World’s Council in Canada. We were able to hear at first hand of personalities from all over the world and of activities of different countries. The visit was a particularly happy one and members and board enjoyed the contact of so instructive and entertaining a speaker. National Y.W.C.A. Visitors: We were delighted to have several brief visits from Miss E. Law and derived much practical assistance, as well as the inspiration which always comes from such contacts. Miss Jean Campbell, pro- j gramme secretary, spent the month of March with us and did excellent work in strengthening leadership and recruiting j new members. World’s Week of Prayer: This was' observed through a sunrise service held on tho first day, and through the visit of Mrs. P. C. Davie and Miss E. Law; [ all the girls’ groups participated in the programme specially planned. Physical Fitness Week: We actively j participated in tho programme and the. general secretary was a member of the council. Anzac Day: Through an early morning service held on the roof of our building a very fine spirit of remembrance was developed. Mothers’ Day was observed through a special party planned by the girls who entertained their guests with a musical and dramatic programme. Quarterly Conference: This proved a happy and satisfactory method of unifying our work; the first was held at the home of our president and was attended by 26 members, representing all sections of the association. An agenda of general interest was discussed and a new understanding of various activities gained. Tho friendly contact was most valuable in deepening our fellowship. Community Contacts. We were glad to have our rooms used by a number of organisations—National Council of Women, Women’s Institute, Townswomen’s Guild, Co-operativo Guild, Teachers’ Institute, Otago Club, Manawatu Tramping Club, Palmerston North Literary and Debating Society, Manawatu Basketball Association, Croquet Association, High School Old Girls’ Group, Christian Science Sunday School and various private social groups. Through our register of boarding and apartment houses, we have secured accommodation for many women and girls applying to us. Wo have found positions for a large number of domestics through our employment register. Our rooms wero available for business girls during luncheon hour. I Assistance was given in street collecting on Mothers’ Day and Y.M.C.A. Day. The general secretary was called upon for addresses by a largo number of ,

church and social groups of Palmerston | North and district. Financial Efforts. As we have no revenue-producing departments, it was necessary to organise numerous money-raising efforts which included annual street day stalls at the A. and P. summer and winter shows, bridge parties, refreshment stall at Rugby football matches, children’s garden party at the home of Mrs. P. . Flood, musical recital by students of Mrs. Garde Grimshaw, jumble soles, travel talks, and the girls’ special effort to raise a ‘'mile of pennies.” Special efforts realised £196, annual donations and membership fees £2OB, McCarthy I Trust £IOO, City Council grant £lO. On the year’s working our balance-sheet showed a credit of £24 Is Bd. Staff Changes. Miss H. M. Saunders resigned the general secretaryship to take up the post of girls/ work secretary in Wellington Y.W.C.A. and was succeeded by Miss M. iS. Jones from the Australian , Secretariat. | Miss B. Stuart was engaged as assist-ant-secretary; during the year Miss Stuart attended the summer school organised by Auckland Y.W.C.A. and the training school arranged by the Minister for Internal Affairs in Wellington. Appreciation. Our sincere thanks are extended to many friends who have given generously of their time and interest to further the work of our association and to the press for their valuable publicity. Conclusion. We enter upon our twenty-first year with a keen appreciation of those who laid the foundations of our work in this city, eager to carry on and enlarge our sphere of service, and aware that our best work is done as we develop an understanding of our Christian purpose.