CHRISTCHURCH CATHOLIC GIRLS' HOSTEL

New Zealand Tablet, 8 May 1919, Page 22

CHRISTCHURCH CATHOLIC GIRLS' HOSTEL

(From our own correspondent.) t The. fourth annual meeting of the .Catholic Girls' Hostel and Club was held on Sunday ". afternoon,: May 4, .Very Rev. Dean Regnault, S.M., presiding. Among those present were Very Rev. Dr. Kennedy, Adm., Mrs. .G. Harper (president), Mrs. S. J. Barrett (vicepresident), Messrs. T. Cahill, W. Hayward, and J. McNamara. Dean Regnault apologised for the unavoidable absence of his. Lordship Dr. Brodie, and Mr. F. J. Doolan, diocesan secretary of the Catholic Federation. The following report was read by Mr. W. Hayward : -This past year has been a very successful one in every way, the new Hostel, after a full working year, having fully justified its purchase. On April 6, 1918, a garden fete was held in the. hostel grounds, and proved to be a great success, the large sum of £270 being realised, enabling the purchase of new furniture which the larger hostel necessitated. In the club room a book afternoon was held on April 10. There were about 70 ladies present, an enjoyable musical programme was given, after which afternoon tea was served : with the result that 122 new books were added to the club's library. Sincere thanks are recorded to the donors. During the year there have been 20 permanent boarders, and 250 visitors have stayed for varying periods. Unfortunately accommodation had to be refused to 30 visitors during •the Easter holidays, owing to lack of room, this speaks volumes for the popularity of the hostel. The board of management and ladies' committee have held regular meetings, which have been well attended. Thanks are expressed to many kind friends for various donations, and especially to his Lordship the Bishop for his donation of pictures, and for the kindly interest he has shown throughout the year. The committee again wish to place on record its thanks and appreciation of the generous efforts of the matron in carrying on the work for which the hostel was established. Under her guiding hand, the year has been a very prosperous one, and the balance sheet shows a small credit on the year's work. The committee regret that the number of financial honorary members becomes less each year, only 26 being recorded ' for the year just closed. This is unfortunate, as it indicates loss of interest in the work, and reduces the hostel's income. An appeal is again made to all well-wishers to become honorary members: which entails a donation of 10s Gd each year. The committee think this report would be incomplete, were it not to record its thanks and appreciation to the retiring secretary and treasurer, Miss Winnie Harrington, for the very excellent work, she has done on behalf of the hostel and club. The statement of accounts shows an accumulated fund (including £240 10s Id from last year) of £527 14 s 7d. The income from all sources for the year ended March 31, 1919; amounted to £1216 6s 6d ; expenditure, etc., £929 2s; balance to accumulated fund, £287 4s 6d. In moving the adoption of the report and balance sheet, Dean Regnault congratulated the- committee on the fine state of the institution. . Its success/ he said, was assured. Any misgivings they may have had 12 months previously had "been totally dispelled, and he was quite in accord with the report as read. Very Rev. Dr. Kennedy, in supporting the motion, was pleased to acknowledge the fine support accorded the. hostel from town and country. The balance sheet showed economy and careful management. Mr. W. Hay ward spoke on the various aspects of the financial responsibilities of the institute, and urged the importance of promoting functions that would be a means of reducing the capital debt. It was his wish (he said) to see, as soon as possible the building and site free of financial encumberance. The election of office-bearers resulted as follows : —■ President, Mrs. G. Harper; vice-president,' Mi*s. Walter Clifford; secretary pro tern, Miss W. Harrington; coin-

mittee,. Mesdames, .Barrett, Prendergast,, .Cotter, W. Hayward, ' Watson, ELingan, Blackaby, F. J. Doolan, and Miss M. Harrington. , . The secretary (Miss W. Harrington), who in the course of a couple of months is giving up office, was made the recipient of a cheque in recognition of her valuable services. Mrs. Harper, on behalf of the management, requested Dean Regnault to' make this presentation and in doing so the president eulogised Miss Harrington, and wished her a happy future.. The Girls' Club Report and Balance Sheet was then presented, and disclosed very satisfactory positions. The membership was 129 and through the club's efforts £74 had been raised at the garden fete, they had assisted at for the benefit of Mt. Magdala, and for Nazareth House. The members had also paid for a piano for their own use, and still had a balance to their credit of £6 2s 7d. Very Rev. Dr. Kennedy, in referring to the balance sheet thanked the girls for their active interest in parochial works, and congratulated the secretary (Miss Minnie O'Connor) on her devotion and energy. Mr. J. McNamara, speaking in support of Very Rev. Dr. Kennedy's remarks, emphasised the fact that the club's activity in this regard had far-reaching effects, and enabled the members to come in contact with hundreds of girls in and around the city. He commended the club work in a very special manner to the house committee. Dean Regnault also spoke on the great scope .for moral good that lay open to the club portion of the institution. Miss M. O'Connor was re-elected secretary, and the following ladies a committee: Misses Celia O'Connor, B. Foley, A. Ryan, C. Mullins, Hilda and Vera Harrington, Connie O'Connor, J. Gregan, K. Cronin, and Dransfield. Mrs. G. Harper moved a vote of thanks to Very Rev. Dean Regnault, and Very Rev. Dr. Kennedy, which was carried by acclamation.