CATHOLIC WOMEN’S HOSTEL, WELLINGTON

New Zealand Tablet, 9 December 1915, Page 29

CATHOLIC WOMEN’S HOSTEL, WELLINGTON

The Catholic Women’s Hostel, Wellington, was formally opened by his Grace Archbishop Redwood on Sunday afternoon in the presence of a representative gathering, including the Very Rev. Dean Regnault, S.M., and the Very Rev. Father O’Connell, S.M. The hostel (says the Dominion ) is a very charming 16roomed residence, formerly .known as ‘ The Knoll,’ which has been leased (with the option of purchase) by the Hostel Board of Management from Mrs. Edwin Moult. It provides accommodation for 32 visitors or inmates, in addition to quarters for the matron (Miss Williams, of Wellington) and the domestic staff. The hostel is allied as a social institution to the New Zealand Catholic Federation, but is managed by a separate board, and is incorporated under the Religious jind Charitable Institutions Act of 1908.

At the opening yesterday afternoon Mr. J. Duggan, chairman of the board, said that the matter of establishing a Women’s Hostel in Wellington was one that had been considered for some years, but the means had not been available to carry it into effect. Thanks to the active support of the clergy, the Diocesan Council, the Immigration Committee, and to Misses Johnson and Wheeler (who had given constant assistance to the board), the difficulties in the way had been overcome. To the guarantors and subscribers thanks were due for making the hostel possible, and a high meed of praise was due to the Catholic people of Wellington generally. \

His Grace Archbishop Redwood congratulated the Catholic Federation on the good it had accomplished in this Dominion, and that though it had not existed very long it was fulfilling many things necessary to the ..Catholic community in the Dominion. (Applause.) This hostel, he added, was going to be a very great success. It was going to be a great boon to Catholic women coming to Wellington from foreign parts. His Grace then turned the key, and the 'visitors entered to inspect the hostel. The cash donations so far received included £SO each from Messrs. Sydney Johnston and Martin Kennedy, whilst a number of people have guaranteed an income to the hostel of £SOO a year. -