THE AUCKLAND Y.W.C.A.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19416, 26 August 1926, Page 5

THE AUCKLAND Y.W.C.A.

DIRECTORS' ANNUAL REPORT. NOTABLE PROGRESS RECORDED. The Auckland Y.W.C.A. will hold its, annual meeting this evening. The year just ended, states the report of the board of directors, will be a memorable one in the history of the association, sinco with, its close the association is on the point oil realising two of its long-cherished dreams —a new hostel for girls and a permanent holiday, house. The year has been particularly strenuous for the directors, for in. addition to all the usual duties of administration ifc has covered two finance campaigns, the usual one for the annual budget differcnco in September-October, 1925, and the larger ' one for the new hostel and holiday house in June, 1926. The holiday house site of five acres at Blockhouse Bay was discovered while the board was seeking a place for the summer camp and it was acquired, together witli an eight-roomed house, for £2500, an additional section to provide another entrance being presented by Mr. J. W. Court-. As soon as possible a large dining room and dormitory were added at a cost of £7OO. The camp proved a great acquisition during the summer. Success ol Finance Campaign. This new obligation, together with the pressing need of a larger hostel in the city, led to the special finance campaign in June. At the close of the financial year the campaign was not complete, but although the objective of £20.000 had not beeo reached the campaign had proved successful beyond the most sanguine expectations of the advisory board. At June 30 the total amount received in cash or promises was £13.121. The year was comparatively satisfactory from the point of view of finance. Twelve months ago the association had a debit balance of £193, but at present there was a credit balance of £5. At the beginning of the year it was expected the expenditure would exceed the income by £1134, which, together With the debit balance from the previous year, made tho sum required £1327. But the annual finance canvass in September produced £SOO, and this proved sufficient to meet the association's needs. This was due to the fact that contemplated renovations to the building were not carried out, all money spent on I travelling expenses was raised by special effort-, several departments brought; In more revenue than was anticipated, and expenses were light. During the year bequests of £SOO radar the will of the late Mr. David Gtildife, £2OO under the- will of the late Mi:'. A. D. Lubecki and a first payment of £125 under the will of the late Mrs. A, M. Bullock were received. A number of changes in the staff dinning the year are recorded in the report, including this resignation of Miss Tizard, head of the girls department. Miss Freda Pym has now taken her place. New Members Enrolled. A membership campaign in October resulted in the enrolment of 240 new members. A pageant, " Weavers All,"' was presented for publicity purposes in October and again last May, and proved a financial success, realising over £l2O oii the first occasion and over £IOO on the second. Several members' meetings were held during the year, a suggestion thai, fees should be abolished being discussed at one. A vote showed that a largo majority favoured continuance of the fees. The holiday house was officially opened on December 12 arid the Christmas cam]) began on December 24. During December, January and February the house held from 25 to 35 girls, the highest number at any one time being 41. The new dining room and dormitory were readv for Easter. Up to date 280 girls had been at the camn, many returning several times. Although the Y.W.C.A. is not primarily org.in?sed for charity, a number of needy cases had heen helped dnring the year find financial assistance' was required for this work. As a result, of two conventions hold in Australia and Nc>v Zealand during: l;ho vear it was decided that tho New Zralnnd Y.W.C.A. should be constituted a senanste entity from the Australian association. Tito directors' renort navs a tribute to the services of Mrs. Wilson, who reluctantly consented to bold the position of president for a further year at the request of the board. Becreatiou Activities. The report of the girls' department shows the membership as 343, compared with 290 last year. The number of clubs has increased from 15 to 19. They include 243 girls. A regular gymnasium class is now held every evening' The year was a record one for the department of health and recreation, the enrolments totalling nearly 2000, all increase of 613 over last year. The report of clubs and classes states there were about 150 girls in the 10 nenior clubs at the end of the year. Two new ; clubs had been formed and most of tfie others had acquired a large percentage of new members. Most of the clubs had made efforts to carry out social service, and had also devoted their energies, to the girlls' apnea! campaign. The Business Girls" Club had effectively discharged its purpose during tho yew. New members numbered 85. and the average dailv luncheon attendance increased from 85 to 88. The club had a credit, balance of £l3 at the end of the year. The renort of the overseas department states that 153 cirls arrived in the Auckland Province during tho year. This was fewer than the previous year, as some bouts were landing their nassengers at. T/vtfelton instead of at Auckland or Wellington. An average of 33 inouiries a month for domestic heln had been received through the inquiry office.