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THE MARY CURZON HOSTEL.

Some peoplo doubt whether lodging hoinc3 for women aro still needed. Tho answer ie that tho Mary Curzon Hostel for Women in King's Cross Boad, London/, which was formally by Queen Alexandra on November 22, began to fill as soon as tho building was completed, and within threo weeks had its full complement of fifty-iive inmates Tho success or failure of such an undertaking from the point of view of utility turns largely on certain Of theso details, tho National Association for Women's Lodging Homes, and its president, the Duchess of Marlborough, navo made careful study, and it has been under tho auspices of this society and thanks to tho generosity of the Duchess of Marlborough, and relatives and friends of the lamented Lady Curzon, that tho home-like building has taken its present form. Its handsome, cheerful front to tho street is not belied by tho interior. All who enter the building , seo'at. o'neo a memorial tablet on tho wall bearing the following simple and impressive inscription: "This building, to bo known as tho Mary Curzon Hostel, was erected in 1913 for tho sorvico of women by ■ tho relatives and friends of a woman tender-hearted and ■beautiful, who, by her short life, sought ■to niuko tho life of women happier in many lands. Mary Victoria, wit'o of Lord Curzon of Kcdleston, born 1870 —• died 1906." ' Tho founders of the building have boon happy in tho choice of their architects, Messrs. Lovcgrove and Papworth, whosa experience has led them to plan many arrangments which make for the comfort of tho lodgers. On the ground floor is a most cheery livingroom, whero tho women can cook and eat their meals or hayo their food ready cooked. Beyond this ia a ftuiet day

room. Up the tiled staircaso one passes to tie , cubicles, each of which forms a nice little bedroom, with its own separate window. In many of them a cot is provided, so that a mothor may have a baby or young child with h«r if desired. In tho basement are many bathrooms, for tho use of which only ono penny is charged, and the house is aflso amply provided with, lavatory basins, foot-baths, aiid changing rooms, so that every visitor can quickly get her clothes dried and have tho luxury of a good wash. Tho women have, moreover, tho use of lockers for their property. All the charges are amazingly low. The price of a cubuclo is 3d. and 6d. per night; a really good breakfast, with an egg or slice of bacon,' is id. ; dinner is 3d. or 4d.; the latter price providing meat,' two vegetables, and pudding; tea and bread and butter can bo had for Id.; and supper of soup or bread and cheese costs 2d. The principle- of the Mary Cuizon Hostel, is to treat is lodgers just as tho management nf any hotel troats its guests. Questions arc not asked or references demanded. If any woman shows herself to be a drunkard or otherwise an undesirable person-to hav6 in tho house, she is asked to leave. But the fact is borno in.mind that the hostel is intended for women who are in deed of a /lodging and have the money to paT for it. The rules are all drawn up with this idea in view. No beer or spirits are allowed on the premises; smoking is forbidden; bedrooms, must ho vacated by 0. a.m., and women are not allowed to go up to their room'a before 7.30 p.m. These aro tho chief restrictions. It should, be noted that weekly lodgers are not required to' pay for, their beds on Sunday. The only question which may cross the.mind of our readers is whether women who have, once enjoyed tho comfort and., cheapness of tho hostel will , ever be induced to' leave and let other wayfarers' , take their turn.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/DOM19140117.2.87

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1960, 17 January 1914, Page 11

Word count
Tapeke kupu
646

THE MARY CURZON HOSTEL. Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1960, 17 January 1914, Page 11

THE MARY CURZON HOSTEL. Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1960, 17 January 1914, Page 11

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