THE YEAR'S WORK.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1241, 25 September 1911, Page 9

THE YEAR'S WORK.

ANNUAL MEETING OF Y.W.C.A. The annual meeting of (lie Young Women's Christian Association was held in their rooms in i'owld's Buildings 011 Inday evening, a good attendance ot members and subscribers being present. Jlr. M'Clay presided, and, in addition to the committee, there were present: Jlr. Jinlcombe Brown, Mr. A. i'. Webster, and Mr. Hoby. ■ Apologies for absence were received from Archdeacon Harper, Jlr."-. C. Webb, Mr. H. N. Holmes, and Air. Aitken; Jn her opening: speech, Airs. iu Way, i referring to the balance-sheet, and to toe i encouragement which the association s work had met with after reverses, stated that they intended to press still further forward. The Report. The report, which was read by Mr. Balcombe lirowu, stated that great progress had been made. At the time of the fire, tho oiler of St. John's schoolroom was ■ greatly appreciated, and tho room had been made use of till-.- tho- present room in Herbert Street had been .obtained. The association had been fortunate in securing the services of Miss Jean S. Vyilson as general secretary. Lady Islington, as patroness, had shown a real interest in tho society, having both entertained members'and, in company with Miss ■Stapleton Cotton, visited the hostel and rooms. The need for providing boarding accommodation for young women had been borno in mind, and a house (No. G MacDonald Crescent) had been, leased for the purpose. Although tho Y.W.C.A. in no wise acts as n substitute for the Church, it was found to be a helpful alb". A sum of £5 has been sent to the Y.W.C.A. missionary (Miss Brenthall) in India, X 3 to Pandita Itamabai's Home for a girl, .-C4 to the leper homo at Baptala for another girl, and donations in kind for tho Egypt General Mission. The Hostel, The hostel was opened on February 10. Since tho opening 251 young women nave mado use of it. The overseas steamers are regularly met by the secretary, who takes the opportunity of holding out a helping hand. The hostel has been comfortably furnished through the generosity of "the public, and is self-supporting. lii tho near, future the association will, it is hoped, be in a position to erect a building of its own in every way suitable fir a young women's Christian association hostel. The lunch room has hcea well patronised. Te Pani Club. The To Pani Club, formed in Marcli last, with the object of providing recreation and study, has been very successful. Members arc grateful to Mrs. Holmes (president) for tlio interest which sho has taken in it. Tho olub is also indebted to Mrs. A. E. Atkinson, Dr. Kate Hogg, aud Miss J. S. Wilson for help. Four classes are conducted in the rooms —it physical culture claps by Mrs. Co,eman Penrice, a dressmaking class bv Mrs. Williams, a stencilling class by tho Jlisses Lavrson and Ilickson, and a wood-carving class by Miss Jean AVilscn. Members "socials" arc held monthly, ■and appear to bo much enjoyed, the general secretary has had a scries of "at homes tor all"young women 011 Friday evenings m the rooms. . . . A junior branch of the association lias been established in. consequcncc of the efforts of Miss E. Andersen, Ph.K., organising: secretary for the i.H.C.A. National Council of Australasia. Miss Lawson is organising and directing it, aud the committee is deeply gratified to her for lier work. Other Activities. Through the great generosity of a lady who takes n very keen interest ra the association the building fund has benefited by ,£SOO, bearing interest at current rates. The income for tho year has exceeded tha't of previous y<'ars, but .responsibilities have increased proportionTho association isindebted to Mrs. A. do Castro, and all those who so ably assisted lier in carrying through a succ-o.s-fnl entertainment in the Town Hall. This resulted in XI3G Is. Cd. being contributed towards tho first year's rent of the hostel. It is also .greatly indebted 10 the ladies vcho collected X"2l lis. 3d., and also to Dr. Pollen, who collected .£l2 Is. (id. from the medical men of tho city. hearly thanks arc due to al' who helped in the furnishing of tho hostel and lunch and rest-rooms, and to all those who have given as.-istanro in various ways. The comuiitteo recorded with sorrow the loss tho association had sustained in tho death of Miss Eleanor Anderson, who was one of tho founders of the branch, and for somo years its efficient secretary. Ealance-shect. Tho balance-sheet showed that the receipts for tho year just ended totalled 01117 -is. id., and expenditure .611® Cs. 2d., leaving a bank balance of .£273 r .s. ■d. The present balance for t.lio build.ing fund amounted to <£10G-i 12s. Cd. The report p.nd balance-sheet were' adopted. Miss M'Lean spoke in complimentary torms of tho work done by the secretary, Miss Jean Wilson, and others. The Officers. Tho retiring members of tho Board ol' Management were Mrs. Chapman, Mrs.-. Shirtcliife, and -Mrs. D. M'Lean, all of' whom were re-elected. Mrs. Fosottc and Miss Aitken, two now members, were also elected to t'ho board. Miss 0. Hoby was appointed assistant sccxetary to Miss Wilson.