WOMAN’S WORLD

Taranaki Daily News, 16 April 1921, Page 6

WOMAN’S WORLD

YOUNG WOMEN’S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION. A JiL.iNCH FOR NEW PLYMOUTH. On Monday evening Miss Birch, organising secretary of the Y’oung Women’s Christian Association, will adress a public meeting at the Soldiers’ Club with a view to establishing a branch of the association in New Plymouth. She has come in response to an invitation issued some months ago by the Clarke Memorial Hostel Committee, who desire that the hostel should be under the management of the association, which has an excellent organisation. In most of the larger towns of the Dominion the Y.M.C.A. has branches, and conducts hostels, and very useful institutions they have proved. They are “holmes away from home,” and fill a real need. When the late Mayor assumed office he saw the need for such a hostel in New Plymouth and, with Mrs. Clarke, inaugurated the movement that was known as “The Girls’ Hostel.” After his tragic, and much lamented, death, the committee decided to designate the proposed hostel “The Clarke Memorial Hostel,” and by direct subscription and the holding of a Xqaas Fair, entertainments, etc., over £2OOO was subscribed. H was considered that it would be better if the Y.W.C.A. assumed control, for a citizens’ committee has not the continuity of the Y.W.C.A., nor the experience in conducting a hostel, and the organisation necessary to ensure its success Hence the appeal to the central office of the Y.W.C.A., and Miss Birch’s visit on Monday evening.

That a real need exists for such an institution in New Plymouth is more apparent now than ever. Many young girls whose parents live elsewhere have great difficult} 7 in finding accommodation of any kind, let alone -suitable accommodation. Manifestly such a condition is not in the best interests of the girls of the community. The Y.W C.A. long ago recognised that the only way to meet it was to have hostels of their own where they could watch and have jurisdiction over the girls, with results that have proved eminently successful. The hostels, once established, are so managed as to be no profit being sought, the welfare of the girl inmates themselves being the main consideration. In New Plymouth it is thought accommodation should be provided for at least thirty girls. Several buildings, of a more or less suitable nature, have been offered to the hostel committee for the purpose, but pending the visit of the Y.W.C.A. representative nothing definitely was done to secure a building. The committee, for one thing, thought that at least £3OOO should, be available, or in sight, before purchasing. But the first thing to do is to form a local branch of the Y.W.C.A., and in consultation with their experts next decide whether to buy or build a place. Tliis will, of course, depend upon the amount of money that can be raised.

It is hoped that everyone who is interested in the welfare of the girls of the town and district will make a point of being present at the meeting, which will be presided over by Mr. 8. G. Smith, M.P., and doing whatever he or she can to help what is a thoroughly deserving cause. There are some people in the community who are not favorable to the project; their idea being that the girls can well enough shift for themselves, or can go into domestic service, where they can be sure of a comfortable home, and where they will be serving a more useful purpose than in a shop or an office. This has been said of girls for the last twenty years. Girls, however, are not quite like boys, who can as a rule do for themselves. Healthy and wholesome environment is essential if the character of girls is to be developed on the right lines.

The community cannot, afford to ignore the surroundings of their girls and young women, the future mothers of the State. They are entitled to, and deserve, the best available. As for girls being employed in clerical and shop work, the time is past when objection can be taken to their empoyment in these capacities. They have become indispensable units in commercial life, relieving as they do males for the more strenuous and responsible positions. There is hardly a business of any consequence that does not depend, in some .forrq or other, on female labor, and efficient and useful labor it often proves. All would like to see more girls take up domestic work, but if there are openings leading to more congenial work, can they be blamed for accepting them? Girls are very much like boys—they are not all fitted for the one form of work. But the chief point is, the girls are in town positions, and many of them are not living under the best of conditions. Good board and lodgings is difficult to obtain. There is no supervision p> sible. The Y.W.C.A. comes in here and offers a suitable home and proper supervision It deserves the support of the community, and it is hoped New Plymouth will rise to the occasion and see th£t a ocal branch is soon established.

PERSONALS.

Mrs. James Clarke is the guest of Mrs. Ballantyne, Vogeltown. Mrs. Stocker has returned from a visit to Wellington. Mrs. Beamish and Mrs Harold Beamish return to Whana Whana (Hawke’s Bay) early next week, and will be accompanied by Miss Kate Humphries. Mrs. C. Waterson (Ashburton) is staying at Chatsworth. Miss G. McKellar is spending a holiday at Taupo. Miss Godfrey, accompanied by Miss Phyllis Arden, leaves early next week by" the Ruapehu, for England. Mrs. W. Hursthouse (Wellington) is visiting her relations in New Plymouth.

Mrs. E. L. Humphries has return id from a short trip to Auckland

JUrs. E. Scott (Nelson) is the guest of Mrs. A, E. Watkins.

Miss Agnes Wilson has returned from a visit to Auckland and Rotorua.

Mrs C. Chilwell and family, of Auckland, are the guests of Mrs. P. B. Fitzhwbert.

Mrs. Swainson and Mrs. Mayer, of Rangitikei, are the guests of Mrs. J. Barthorpe.

Mrs. B. Horner, who has been staying with her mother, Mrs. Thomson, has returned to Stratford.

Mrs. C. 11. Burgess entertained the members of the Women’s Patriotic Committee at afternoon tea at the Victoria League rooms on Tuesday, Miss Godfrey being the guest of honor.

Visitors at the Criterion this* week include Mrs. and Miss Laird (Wanganui), Miss Hasard, Miss Fricker, Miss Sanderson, Mrs. and Miss Ramsay (Auckland), Miss Dickson, Mrs. Wright, Mrs. Dunlop (Wellington), Mrs Rice, Mrs. Maxwell, Mrs Sinclair (Dunedin). Mrs. E. D. Smith, Mrs. and Miss Simpson (Blenheim).

Mrs. J. Strang (Hamilton) is stay-rg with her sister, Mrs. A, Waters. *.* * • Miss Alice Bredow, who has been spending a month’s holiday with friends in Auckland, has returned to her home at Douglas.

DRAMATIC ENTERTAINMENT.

The rehearsals are in full swing for the dramatic entertainment to be held in the Workers’ Social Hall, New Plymouth, on May 4, 5 and 6, in aid of the Clarke Memorial Fund.

The contrast between the two plays chosen 4s very distinct. In “The Monkey’s Paw,” in the first scene a thrill begins to make itself felt with the beginning of the sergeant’s (Mr. Goldsworthy) story. He tells it with a dramatic force and a realistic touch that will grip his audience. In the second scene the plot’ unfolds gradually to culminate in a tragic and dreaded denoument. The final scene works up to a dramatic finale; perhaps one of the most arresting scenes that has been staged. The two principal characters are played by Mrs. Claude Weston and Mr. B. Hartman, both parts giving much scope for dramatic art. Mr. Kirk takes the part of the son and Mr. D. K. Morgan that of Mr. Sampson. The second play sparkles with irresistible humor in every line. It is again an “echo of the war,” but the lighter side, which Bairnsfather, too, found with his inimitable pencil. Miss Bedford .(who is stage managing this play) and Mr. A. Mclsaacs take the principal parts, both being delightfully caste. Mrs D. K. Morrison plays the part of a canteen worker with much misplaced enthusiasm and zest in her efforts to be of service to “the brave soldiers.” Three other workers are Mrs. Claude Weston (the head of the canteen), Mrs. Rex Brewster and Miss Home. Mrs. Hartman and Mr. Etherington are two cockney soldiers.

WEDDINGS.

OLSSON—LACEY. A very pretty wedding took place last Tuesday at the Methodist Church, Stratford, when Louisa Emma, eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Lacey, of Stratford, was married to Alfred," eldest son of the late Mr. H. Olsson of Woodville. The Church was nicely decorated for the occasion, and was crowded with well-wishers of the bride and bridegroom. The Rev. L. B. Neale was the officiating minister. The bride, who was given away by her father, looked charming in a shantung sjlk dress, trimmed with satin, georgette and pearls, with the usual veil and orange blossoms, and carried a shower bouquet, the gift of Mrs. Sturm. The bridesmaids were Misses Coral Lundberg, niece of the bride, and Emma Richards. The chief bridesmaid’s dress was of champagne crepe de chine, with a black tulle hat. Miss Richards’ dress was a pale blue crepe de chine, trimmed with silver beads, with black picture hat. The presents to th‘e bridesmaids were gold brooches. The bridegroom was attended by Mr. C. Russ as best man, and Mr. Arthur Lacey, brother of the bride, acted as groomsman. After the wedding ceremony, fully seventy guests were entertained in the Methodist Hall, when the usual toasts were proposed and duly honored. The presents were both costly and numerous, including an organ. The honeymoon will be spent in Christchurch. The bride’s travelling dress was a grey costume, with hat to match. The future home of the newly-married couple will be in Hawera.

GIBSON—LAWRENCE.

A wedding in which great interest was manifested was solemnised at St. Paulas Church, Wanganui, on Tuesday afternoon, when Kathleen Nevada, second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Lawrence, of Somme Parade, was married to Mr. W. H. Gibson, eldest son of Mrs. Gibson, and the late Mr. John Gibson, of Patea. The Rev. D. Campbell officiated. The bride was attended by Miss Bessie Gibson, as chief bridesmaid, and little Misses Jean Lawrence (niece of the bride) and Mary Blennerhassett. The duties of best man were carried out by Mr. Robert Murdoch. At the conclusion of the ceremony, which was witnessed by a very large number of friends, who came from all parts of the island, a reception was held at the D.I.C. tea rooms, where eighty guests were entertained. A happy toast list was honored.

The happy couple left by motor en route for Auckland and Rotorua, where the honeymon is to be spent. They will later make an extended tour of Java and the Straits Settlement.