A YEAR'S PROGRESS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 198, 25 September 1914, Page 4

A YEAR'S PROGRESS.

THE WOMEN'S MOVEMENT. The thirteenth annual meeting of thft local Y.W.C.A., which was held last night, was an occasion of general rejoicing amongst those interested in the work. For the first time in its history, the association met for the consideration of the year's work in its very own building, planned and erected specially for it. The fellowship banquet, which preceded the formal business, was the occasion for a merry gathering, and some interesting speeches were made by members on behaif of their various clubs and organisations. All tended to show that the year had been one of progress, and ..that the expansion of the work, as marked by the erection of the new building, was undertaken at exactly the right moment. The association rooms, now that they have all got straight and settled, and have had time'to banish the first air of newness "which is always apt to bo a tiny bit depressing, are bright, happy, comfortable places that seem to hold out welcoming hands to every 'girl who is in need of a home atmosphere. The secretaries, Misses MacNeil and Owen, are the "big sisters" of the homo, who are always ready to help and advise and Avelcome those who seek :.ts portals. Evidence of the fine work they are doing w r as the crowd of bright, enthusiastic, happy girls who attended the meeting night, and the way in which they were able to acquit themselves when, called upon to speak' to the gathering on association matters. There was an utter absence of selfconsciousness and restraint, a soundness of justice and argument, a naive appreciation of the humorous side of the subject, and, underlying all, an earnestness of purpose that was very good indeed to note. The little "Hearth Fire Girls" in their quaint blue bonnets and demure little frocks and aprons, were also presented at the meeting, and their "Song of the Hearth Fire" was a pleasant interlude amongst the formal business of reports and balance-sheets and such highly necessary, but hardly entertaining, adjuncts of an annual meeting.

The approaching departure of Miss Earnshaw, who has been so closely associated with the local association for the past nine years, cannot fail to cause deep regret, but,- as Mrs, Kaye pointed out, she is going to a bigger work in Invercafgill, and under those circumstances no one would wish to keep her here.

Altogether, one is pleased to think that everything in connection with this important branch of the training of the young womanhood in our midst is going on so satisfactorily, and is show- j ing promise of making its circle of use-1 fulness wider and yet wider as time | goes on. ■ " I