GIRLS’ FRIENDLY SOCIETY

Taranaki Daily News, 23 November 1932, Page 11

GIRLS’ FRIENDLY SOCIETY

NEW PLYMOUTH BRANCH CLOSED. SERIOUS FINANCIAL POSITION. A decision not to carry on any longer the New Plymouth branch of the Girls’ Friendly Society was reached at the annual meeting in view of the serious financial position and the lack of any prospect of immediate improvement. The treasurer reported a small balance of funds but a steady decline for the year. The report of the matron, Mrs. Mackay, was:— “This is the 23rd year of the branch s existence here. Our work during the year has been mostly to do with the lodge. We have been able to help a few in need, but there have been very few inquiries fox' board by girls eithex looking for work or in positions, the majority of them to-day preferring a flat, or furnished room, and to cater for themselves. Consequently we have found it a very difficult year and from the early part were in doubt as to whether we could continue. In February the president, Mrs." Sanders, gave a ‘bring and buy’ garden party at her residence, Westown, and the funds benefited to the extent of £l7, which helped us tremendously. In the early pax’t of the year we welcomed Archdeacon and Miss Gavin. . , , . “We hoped that things might improve, but each month has shown a steady decline. Later in the year we suffered a great loss in the death of Mrs. G. Home, our president for several years, and one who always took a keen interest in our welfare. Miss Percy-Smith, the energetic secretary for many years, left during the year for Hawke’s Bay, and her loss has been a very real one to the society. A presentation was made to her before she left. We were fortunate in securing the services of Mrs. Deighton to follow in her place. Mrs. Martin and Mrs. Dinniss, with the help of Mr. Dinniss when needed, have attended to the accounts and treasury business in a most efficient manner. Thanks are also due to those who have given gifts in kind and money, also to those who have worked for us, and especially in this respect to Mrs. F. Messenger for her offer of a beautifully worked tapestry cushion for competition. Thanks are also due to the proprietors of the daily papers for thengifts.” ... . , After discussion the decision to close the branch was reached. Eulogistic references were made to the splendid and efficient services of the matron over a period of years, and the wish was expressed by all that she might see her way to carry on the lodge in a private capacity.

It was decided that funds remaining to the society should be placed in a savings bank for a future Girls’ Friendly Lodge. Before the business of the meeting was begun the acting-president, Archdeacon Evans, made feeling reference to the loss the society had sustained in the death of Mrs. G. Home, and those present stood in silence as a mark of respect to the memory of one who had for a long period been a generous, supporter and loyal friend to the society. There were present Archdeacon Evans (chairman), Mesdames Evans, Newman, Shoemark, Sargeant, Garnham, J. Brown, Courtney, Norris, Peach, Misses Hempton, Norman, Wilson, Curtis, Mrs. Sanders (president), Mrs. Mackay (matron), Mrs. Martin (treasurer).