Y.W.C.A.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11030, 19 March 1914, Page 1

Y.W.C.A.

NEW HOSTEL RENOVATING THE CHORAL HALL. Ths work of renovating the old Choral Hall, owned by the Y.W.C.A., ,was proceeding apace when a ''Star" reporter paid a visit round there this morning. The unsightly concrete pillars 'which used to tako up so much room, have been removed, and slight iron ones, which'-amply serve" the purpose, have been placed in their stend. Electric light has been .installed throughout the building. :. ;- "The hall has been repainted and repanelled ,and presents a brand new appearance.. The stage end has also been attended to, aud new scenery and dressing-rooms have effected a great improvement there. Next door to the hall the Association is having constructed a now hostel, and this work ia so well under way that it is expected to be completed by the end of April. The upstairs part of this building has eleven bedrooms, a sitting-room and.' a' largo dormitory capable of accommodating seven or eiglit girls, for the use of those girls whose means do not allow of their having separate looms. This- dormitory is well ventilated, and Iras several large windows which overlook what will bo the garden. .

Two entrances lead into the lower floor, one for tho use of the boarders and the other a. . public entrance for members of the Institute. This latter entrance leads into a comfortable wait-ing-room, ' which will have cushioned seats round the walls. Next to this lobby are tho secretaries' rooms, which an anonymous donor has promised to furnish.

Tho lunch-room, which is adjacent to the kitchen, is a fine, well-lighted, airy compartment. It is expected that over a hundred girls will make use of this daily. Another fine room is the dining-room for the boarders, which should be capable of seating about twenty to thirty girls. Various study rooms are also available for the Use of members.

A feature of the building is the large spacious .-room provided for the use of the .juniors. Here, the. younger members will be able to retire and give vent to overflowing spirits in as much noise as they are capa'ble of making. Miss M'Neil, the secretary, informed a "Star" reporter that this year the Association hopes to have a membership in Christchurch of well over Jour hundred. ,