A CLUB FOR GIRLS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20343, 26 August 1929, Page 13

A CLUB FOR GIRLS.

PREMISES IN THE CITY.

EMPLOYEES OF BUSINESS FIRMS

HOOF SPACE FOR GAMES. As (lie result of six years' effort on the part, of (lio Auckland Girls' Interhouse Sports Association a club for girls employed in t lie soft goods establishments of the ritv was opened on Saturday by the Mayoress, 'Mrs. A. D, Campbell. It is the first club of its kind in Auckland. The clubrooms are in the National Mutual Assurance Buildings, Chancery .Street, where the association has obtained a two-years' lease of the, whole third floor, together with the roof, which will he used for recreation purposes. In addition the association holds an option to extend the lease for a further period. Tlie club rooms on the third floor occupy 11.000 square feet, and contain a dance floor capable of accommodating about 500 couples. The lounge, has been furnished bv money donated by the employers of the various soft, goods houses, while much of the painting, calcimining and decorating of the walls has r been carried out by working bees organised by the girls. The interior lias been decorated in orange and blue, with furnishings to match. Natural lighting is provided by windows occupying a large proportion of the wallspace on three sides of the building.

In London a similar club, the founda-tion-stone of which was recently laid by Queen Mary, is being established with the aid of subscriptions obtained from the large drapery houses. The Auckland club has been financed almost solely by tlie girls themselves as the result of sports gatherings held during the past, few years. It is hoped that sufficient revenue will be obtained from to be charged in connection with classes iu arts and crafts, dancing and physical culture, to maintain the clubrooms on a satisfactory basis. " You are to be congratulated on the fine effort, you have made to obtain these clubrooms," said Mrs. Campbell, who had been introduced to the gathering by Miss E. Wagner, president of the Auckland Girls' Interhousc Sports Association. In advising the girls not to let their energy rest there, she pointed out that the rooms would take a lot of maintaining, hard work and co-operation being required to keep them up to the present standard. Mrs. Campbell also expressed pleasure at the provision made in the club for games. " Iri days gone by." she said, " it was considered very unladylike for girls to play games, but fortunately things have now changed in this direction. If you make your club a place for clean, wholesome sport you will have ihe sympathy and interest of the public with you." Mrs. Campbell then declared the club open, and at the conclusion of her address was presented with a bouquet of flowers.

Mr. T. Clark, president of the Drapers, Shoe- TJetailers and Mercers' Association, spoke briefly of the splendid good feeling now existing between employers and their staffs, as represented at the present gathering. On lielialf of the firms connected with his association he heartily congratulated the girls on the success of their venture. Mr. J. T!. Hendell also ?j»okr.

Songs by Miss Hayward and Miss Berry, and orchestral music were enjoyed during the afternoon and later the, visitors were shown through the clubrooms. In the evening a large dance was held, about, 700 members and friends being present. The roof was brilliantly illuminated by floodlights, which added a spectacular touch. On the roof, which contains floor-space measuring 10,000 square feet, it- is intended to play games such as tennis and basketball, while it. has been proposed to open a golf school for the benefit- of members.