PROGRESS OF Y.W.C.A.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22488, 4 August 1936, Page 3

PROGRESS OF Y.W.C.A.

GOLDEN JUBILEE YEAR GROWTH OF ORGANISATION WORK FOR WOMEN AND GIRLS As the golden jubilee of tho Y.W.C.A. is being celebrated at present, a re- \ lew of tho development of tho association is given in the report to be presented at the annual meeting to-mor-row night. In 1886, the report states, the attendance at tho rooms varied from 40 to over 90, tho average attendance being 75. To-day, the report points out, tho average number of people using the building daily is 500. During the year, accommodation has been given to 770 girls and women, including the Wanganui girls' cricket team, and the Farmers' Union girls. For the traveller, the girl on holiday, the girl without a home of her own, the student, and tho schoolgirl, accommodation can bo found in the hostel, which this year provided accommodation for a total of 1090 transient guests and 86 permanent girls. A homo council of 12 girls assists in tho management.

The report further states that the Girls Department has an enrolment of 60 girls, ior whom a varied programme °f gymnasium team games, handcrafts, dramatics and discussions is provided. Group interests are provided by classes for the study of current events, drama, public speaking, decorative needlework and dressmaking, and for the business woman and girl, excellent home-cooked meals are provided in the Cafeteria. Care of the Sick In regard to the care of the sick, the report states that oO cases have been visited and many of them have been re-visited many times, according whether their sojourn has been for 10 days or three months. Convalescence has been arranged for many of these, and light work found when they are ready for it. The Service Department continues to work in closest co-operation with the many other social agencies of the city. The financial membership roll now stand as follows:—Women's roll, 750; senior department, 229; sports, 126; girl citizens, 44; gymnasium, 120; total. 1269.

Interesting and useful pieces of survey work have been attempted during February, March and April, to dis~ cover numbers, working conditions, hours of labour, wages and leisure time activities of the girls and women of Auckland province. Many groups and individuals co-operated in this, and the result, though necessarily sketchy, is significant with its indications of trends.

The report also states that the women and men and girls of the city have given in this financial year £3OOO, which has enabled the association to pay back interest and rates, meet current expenses, reconstruct top floor and hall, and go forward into the future with renewed strength and vigour. The treasurer reports that there is a marked improvement in the financial position and an increased credit in most of the revenue-producing departments. Improved Finances The hostel account shows an increase on last year's credit of £329, after an expenditure of £lOl in improvements, mainly renewal of tanks and part of roof, and making of a new roadway from Scotia Place; £SO of this amount, however, was held over in a suspense account from last year. The cafeteria shows a debit of £43, but £lO4 for rent and administrative assessment, and £2O for extra equipment, has been charged to this department.

For the campaign fund, a further net amount of £2304 19s 8d has been credited to income account. This amount embraces the annual subscriptions, necessary for administration, the balance being used to pay off overdraft and sundry creditors, leaving a credit sum of £lOl2 in the bank. Offset against this is a liability of £1260, of accumulated arrears of interest. An improved credit of £93 is shown on the membership account.