GILLIES, HEPPY AND SHELLEY The Story of Three Mission Hostels BY ELSDON CRAIG Photography by Peter Blanc Pioneers in the movement to establish hostels for young Maori people in Auckland, the United Maori Mission is specially designed to meet the changing needs of a growing and developing section of the community. The mission has its roots in the rural Maori setting from where they spread to the city stimulated by the movement of Maoris from the country to the towns under the impetus of the wartime emergency. Three hostels run by the mission function in the city. They are at 60 Shelly Beach Road, Herne Bay. 29 Hepburn Street, Ponsonby, and at 89 Gillies Avenue, Newmarket. Known affectionately as “Heppy”, “Gillies” and “Shelly”, they cater liberally for the spiritual, social and material requirements of the young men and women in them. “Gillies” is the only boys' hostel. Mixed choir at Gillies Avenue hostel. The motto of the mission is “All One in Jesus Christ”. These are Christian homes in the truest sense of the term. Every attempt is made to cater for sport, social activities, and Bible training. Supervision in the homes is directed toward adjusting young people to a healthy city life without placing unreasonable restrictions on their outside activities. The fact that the mission authorities are able to find employment and arrange apprenticeships for Maoris in most trades indicates the reputation of the mission for encouraging stability and industry among these who enter its doors. What else have the hostels to offer young people coming to the city? First of all the buildings are conveniently situated and are noble examples of the elaborate architecture which was a feature of New Zealand cities half-a-century ago. The people