CATHOLIC WOMEN’S, HOSTEL, WELLINGTON

New Zealand Tablet, 1 April 1920, Page 33

CATHOLIC WOMEN’S, HOSTEL, WELLINGTON

A number of friends and supporters of the Wellington Catholic Women’s Hostel assembled' at the “Knoll,” in Thompson Street, on Sunday afternoon, March 14, when the new wing recently added to the hostel was opened and blessed by his Grace Archbishop O’Shea. The new portion of the hostel allows fof 12 more boarders, and, the wing is a very pleasant part of the building. There are several single bedrooms, and the rest are, single cubicles built with beaver board and daintily furnished. New bathrooms have been added also, while upstairs in the older part of the hostel more bathrooms are being added, which will be a great improvement. One of the nicest features of the alterations is the sitting room, which has been made off the dining room. After the guests had been shown over the new part of the premises and these had been blessed' by his Grace, the annual meeting of the board was held in the dining room of the hostel. The secretary read the report for the past year, which stated: The hostel year ended in November, but it was considered desirable that the annual meeting should be postponed to synchronise with the opening of the new wing, when an opportunity could be afforded subscribers to view the improvements effected. During the year Miss Wheeler, who had held the office of secretary since the inauguration oj the hostel, was compelled by failing health to relin-quish-that position. The hostel owes a great debt to the zeal and energy of Miss Wheeler, and a resolution expressing appreciation of her services has been recorded in the minutes of the board. Miss Girting-Butcher was elected to the vacant office. Early in the year the . purchase of the hostel property was completed. The price agreed, upon was £3900, the whole amount being left upon mortgage at 6 per cent, for a term of seven years. It being necessary for the board to appoint trustees to act for it in this regard, his Grace Archbishop O’Shea and the Very Rev. Dean Holley, S.M., Provincial, kindly agreed to undertake the office. The property having been purchased, the board was in a position, to make urgentlyneeded improvements, and renewed efforts to raise funds for this object were inaugurated. As a result of personal appeals, and of functions organised by a committee of ladies, headed by members of the board, the sum of £llOO stands to the credit of the extension fund. Plans were prepared by Messrs. Crichton and McKay, architects, for additions, but the lowest tender for the work proposed was beyond the amount the board felt justified in undertaking. An amended plan was adopted, making provision for adequate bath and sanitary accommodation, and a tender was let, the estimated cost of the additions being £2200. The total number the hostel will accommodate when complete is 42.; By the efforts of the ladies’ committee and the kindness of Mrs. Martin Kennedy and family, a great part of the required furniture was presented at a gift tea. In accordance with the offer made by the hostel residents, a series of dances was held during the winter months, and proved most popular. The proceeds, amounting to £39, have been devoted to liquidating the debt of £42 incurred in the working of the hostel in 1918. Miss Keating, who has been matron of the hostel for nearly three years, and has done excellent work, has tendered her resignation. Considerable" regret will be felt at her withdrawal. The board has placed on record its appreciation of her services, and regret at her departure. During the year the hostel has had an average of 29 permanent residents, many more applicants than could be accommodated having been refused. Sixty-four casual visitors have also made the hostel their temporary home. With, the additional accommodation the board will bo better able to cater for girls travelling, and spending holidays in Wellington. The needs of the many immigrant girls who will arrive in the Dominion in the near future will also be met, and they will be assured of a welcome amongst girls of their own faith. The board regrets- that the balance sheet shows a deficit on the year’s working. The coming year should show r an improvement, and every effort will be made to liquidate the debt incurred in 1919. The board desires to express its hearty thanks to the many who have shown a practical interest in the hostel during the year. The highest appreciation is felt of the generous response made by private individuals, and the several branches of the - Catholic Federation, which have contributed to the extension fund. The board desires to thank in a special manner his Grace Archbishop O’Shea, whose efforts on behalf of the hostel ; have been unremitting, and also Very Rev, Dean Holley, S.M., ■ Provincial. To Father O’Connor, S.M., who has been a frequent visitor to the house, the board extends its gratitude, also. ; - The balance sheet was also read and adopted.

’ ' - A The chairman explained that a sum of about £I2OO we® owing on the- alterations, and some .plan was needed to liquidate -this debt, and also ,to pay off part .'of the; mortgage. h ~ y , v:'' f; Archbishop O’Shea, speaking at the meeting, ' said the additions would supply a great want. Such a hostel was a necessity in a city like Wellington. Nowadays the: only alternative for girls was the “rooming” habit, which was a very bad one. Bodily and spiritually girls suffered. They were compelled to seek cheap amusement outside, and meals were a difficulty. He hoped the people all} over the archdiocese would assist generously in. helping 7: toy pay off the debt. .So far it had been the people of Wellington who had assisted mostly, but the country people should do so, as the country girls needed it most. Some people, said his Grace, thought the girls should stay in the country, but in a democratic country such as ours the girls had as much right as the boys to ■ choosey the avocations they liked, and it was the duty of others Ao try and provide them with as comfortable a home as possible.. 4 ■ Some discussion took place as to the best means of raising money for the mortgage, it being pointed out that the sum to be paid in interest amounted to about £1 a day, and if the capital could be paid off the working of the hostel would be much improved. It was stressed that the fees charged the girls had to pay the upkeep entirely,. but the payment of interest was a heavy load on the finances.'? Father Mahony spoke at the meeting, and supported a proposal to circulate all branches of the Catholic Federation in the archdiocese. , ■ Votes of thanks were passed to the chairman, officers, : : and . lady members ,of the board for the work they had done, , also to Miss Keating, the late matron, and to Miss Mulvany, who was acting as matron temporarily. After the business of the meeting was concluded the guests were entertained to afternoon tea by the lady members of the board. The . members of the board for the current year are; His Grace Archbishop O’Shea, the Very Rev. Dean Holley, Mesdames Gleeson, O’Sullivan, ' and Beauchamp, Misses Kennedy, Cracy, and Girling-Butcher, Colonel A. A. Corrigan, Major T. P. Halpin, Messrs. Dromgool, Johnson, O’Gorman, O’Malley, and Reardon. The board met subsequently and elected Major Halpin chairman, Mr. W. F. Johnson secretary and treasurer, and appointed Mrs. Le Caldeno matron. The lady members of the board were elected to the House Committee.