HOSTEL FOR GIRLS.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LX, Issue 17067, 21 August 1917, Page 7

HOSTEL FOR GIRLS.

PROPOSAL TAKEN UP IN WANGA-

NUI.

The public 'meeting convened by the Mayor (Mr C. E. Mackay) to consider tiie proposal to esatblish a Hostel for girls in Wanganui, was held in the Council Chambers on Friday afternoon, and was largely .attended. A number of apologies for unavoidable absent ■were also received. The Deputy-May ar (Mr Geo. Spriggens) presided in the unavoidable absence of th e Mayor. Archdeacon Reeve explained that it was intended to establish the hostel under th@ auspices of the Girls' Fnendly Society, an old-established English organisation which has branches all over the world, including several cities in New Zealand—Christchurch, Wellington, Auckland, and Napier. The Society was founded in England m 1875. Its ' objeobs, as stated in the Churchman's Year Book, are: To band together in one Society women and giris as associates and members, for mutual help (religious and secular), for sympathy and prayer; to encourage purity oi life, dutifulness to parents, faithfulness to employers, temperance, and thrift; and to provide the privileges 02 the Society for its members, "wherever they may be, by giving them an introduction from one branch to another. Ih is not confined to a.ny class of girl that can be named, as it is alike useful to the. daughter of gentle-people and the friendless girl of good character. By it*3 central rules, associates —the leaders in the work—are to be members of the Church of England (no such '•estriction being made as to members), and'the organisation is to follow as much as possible^ that of the Church. Associates-pay 2s. 6d., members Is. per year. No girl who has not always borno a virtuous character is to be admitted «is a member 5 such character being lost, the member forfeits her card. I The Society's great work is preventive, and it aims at raising the whole tone of womanhood. The departments of work include the following: Registry work, Lodges, Homes of Rest, and Training Homes. Literature, help for sick1 members, Industrial Training, and the teaching of temperance and thrift. The motto of the Society was the bearing of one another's burdens, ana so fulfilling the will of Christ. There was, he was glad to say, a branch of this Society in Wanganui, and it possessed a comfortable club-room in the centre of the town, which many girls lutd found very conveiiient. as they were able to visit it in their lunch hours. For a long time be had felt the need for extending the good work done by this Society in the way of establishing a Hostel or a Lodge. ,Many girle are constantly coming to Wanganui to work in various capacities, and ver.7 often there were inquiries by them as to whether there was such a Hostel here. Ho sincerely hoped that all those present would go away i'irmly resolved and pledged to Support the scheme. ! With regard to the financial part of the scheme, the Archdeacon stated , that the position had been rendered much easier by the generosity of a local citizen, who liad offered a site for a Hostel to tile"Girls' Friendly Society. He pointed out that similar -Hostsls -or lodges already existed at Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Napier. The latter was going so rapidly ahead that two cottages had recently been bought to accommodate the girls, who pay..from 16s. to 21s. per week. Tho pioposal was really a war work, and, therefore, worthy of every suppoi't. The Archdeacon went on to say that he had placed, the scheme before the Women's National League the previous night, and the members of the League had decided to help in the movement. There was every reason to hope that the scheme would,be; brought to a successful fruition. Of course, they could noc do without money, and would want between £2,000 and £3,000 to erect a. suitable lodge. If they took the matter up whole-heartedly there was no reason "why they bhould not be able W finance it. There were two ways of . helping in this connection^ namely, *>y mean? of subscriptions, and by securing the interest of friends and relations. He suggested that a motor ginykhana should l>e held on the racecourse on Labour Day to assist the guilds,, and he asked those present to form, a committee and elect a secretary to get. the gymkhana going properly. He stated that an advisory board of business men, comprising Messrs. Harden, Hope Gibbons, and C. L. Duigan, had been set lip in connection with the {scheme. . ■

Archdeacon "Peeve concluded by reading the following letter. from the Bishop :— Bishopscourt, Mulgrave St., Wellington, ;•..'. V. , ' August 13, 1917. _ My." dear Archdeacon,-—I am very glad and thankful that you and your people have decided to provide a hostel for young women in Wanganui. It is one of the most useful works the Church can undertake. Modern conditions of

life are causing an ever-increasing number of young women to leave their homes and to come to reside in our larger towns. It is of the utmost im-

portance that these young women should be able to find safe, healthy, and wholesome accommodation, and I think it is the duty of the Church to provide it. 1 do not think you need have any fears on the score of finance. The hostel here proves that if wisely managed such an institution can be carried on without

loss and at the same time keep its charges Vvithin what young women can afford to pay. Much, of course, depends upon your matron. She should be a thoroughly capable. Christian, motherly woman. I wish the undertaking God's blessing. lam sure it is a move in the right direction.—Yours always,

T. H. .WELLINGTON.

On the motion of Mrs. Mackay, seconded by Miss Gilfijlan, it was unanimously resolved, "That this meeting forms itself into a committee to do ail that is. possible to further the scheme outlined by Archdeacon Reeve/

Miss Newcombe was elected sscretnry, and Mr Harden treasurer, and the following executive committee was chosen to manage the gymkhana : Mesdames Grace, Mackay, Hutton, Marshall, Wilson, Silk. T. B. Williams, Hine, C. L. Duigan. Hop*; Gibbons, and Jefcoate, and "Misses N. Hardcastle, Christie and• N. • Ashcroft.

Votes of thanks to Archdeacon Reeve for his instructive address, and to the chairman, concluded a most successful and enthusiastic meeting. N"