Y.W.C.A.

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

Y.W.C.A.

ANNUAL MEETING. The thirteenth animal meeting of the Young Women's Christian Association was held in the association rooms last night, and was preceded by a "fellowship banquet" for members, associate members, and others interested in the work. There was a large attendance at each event.

The annual meeting commenced at 8 p.m., Mrs A. Kaye (president) in the chair. In her opening address, Mrs Kaye made sympathetic reference to the death of ■ Mrs Minson, who had given ranch valuable assistance to the Y.W.C.A., and whose . death was greatly deplored. A motion of sympathy to the bereaved relatives was carried in silence, all" standing. Continuing her address, Mrs Kaye expressed deep gratification at the success and progress .which' had marked the year. The work, she said, had gone forward by leaps and bounds, a fact for -which the association was very grateful. She mentioned the approaching departure of Miss Earnshaw, who .had been connected with the Christchurch 'branch of- the Y.W.C.A. for the-last nine years,' and who had accepted a call to go to Invercargill, where she would undertake the sole burden of the work. They all regretted her approaching departure, but were glad, at the same time, because it gave her an opportunity for a bigger work, and they knew that was what Miss Earnshaw wanted. They would have an opportunity later on of saying good-bye to her, and wishing her Godspeed in her work at Invercargill. THE ANNUAL REPORT. The annual report, which was read by jMiss MacNeil (secretary) stated that |the new building was commenced in | October, 1913, and opened on May 16, 1914. The property was not free from debt, but the Board of Directors felt that it had made the best use of the money available, and had not under-

taken more than the association was able to bear. The finished building was inspected by thousands of people, who all expressed pleasure at the way in which it had been planned and erected. The hostel provides accommodation for 29 boarders, at a varying tariff Avithin the reach of any girl. In April last Miss Owen was appointed associate secretary. To celebrate the opening of the new building a campaign for new members was inaugurated, not less than 100 being secured. At the present time there are , 3.20 active, associate, minor, and sustaining members, and 105 lunch room, scattered, and club members. Diiriug the year 281 people passed through the hostel. A good many emigrants had come straight to the hostel, and much appreciated the friendliness of- the welcome they received. Mr Callender read the balance-sheet for the treasurer (Mrs Callender). It showed the following details: —Building account: Receipts £2674 3/8, including donations £1073 5/3; expenditure, £7088" 3/4. Of this amount £4158 4/- was paid to the contractor for the erection of the building. A mortgage; of £3OOO had been negotiated, and the bank overdraft stood -at', £1413 19/8. The general receipts'showed a total of £915 17/-, and expenditure aggregating £917 18/8, leaving a debit of £2 1/8. Assets were set down at £10,380, and liabilities £4413 19/8, leaving a surplus of £5966 0/4: The report ..-and balancesheet were adopted without dissent. The election of the Board of Directors resulted as follows: Mesdames T. G. M. Blunt, A. H. Paterson, A. Kaye,-F. Warren, and Lester. Various addresses were given during the evening, Miss MacNiel speaking on the Foreign Mission work of the association. Misses Vine, Wheatley, Burns, and Buchanan spoke of "The Intellectual Needs of Girls," "The Physical Needs of Girls," "The Social Needs of Girls," and "The Spiritual Needs of Girls" respectively. Various musical items were also included .in'the evening's programme.