YOUNG WOMEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2272, 5 October 1914, Page 2

YOUNG WOMEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION

ANNUAL REPORT, The annual report of the Y:W.O.A. presents a very encouraging account of the year's operations, and from it can be gathered the widespread interests which it makes a point of encouraging in the lives of tho girls who become members. As the primary aim of the association is to' develop the religious side of character, Bible classes and religious meetings have formed the central feature of the work. This included Sunday services, devotional meetings Oil Thursday nights, Bible study, prayor circles, and missionary work, as well as lectures 'upon total abstiutence. Membership. ".>'»"' Efforts havo been made to keep in touch with members through an interesting and varied programme, through a regularly circularised syllabus, through interviews in the office and letters, and through personal calls by tho membership and the Look-Out Committees. ' A moving population of girls affects', the membership considerably from month to month. During the year 292 new members have been added to the rollj and 192 have lapsed and left, leaving a total increase of 100 during the year. Membership now stands at 708. The association is inter-denom-inational in its membership and in its government. Several of the old members decided to increase their annual feo to £1 a year, thereby becoming sustaining or supporting members. A few representative members .in the country towns of tho Wellington province havo beei. secured. This has been dono with a view to forming a link between the association and the girls wlio go to the country, by ensuring that strange girls shall hud friends ill the association roferees. Tho death of Mrs. Rhodes removed a warm, sympathetic pfrieud, ono to whom tlie association owes much for her zeal in the early days, and for her constant remembrance and support. The handsome bequests of Mrs. Rhodes identified her as a substantial benefaotor, and Tier name will also be hold in honour as a life member.

Hostel and Annexe. Both tho Hostel and Annexe have been constantly full throughout tho past year. Tho greatest number of passing guests who receivod accommodation in one month was 50, 'and the lowest number was 30. Of these, there has been a monthly average of four now arrivals from overseas. Tho number of permanent girls has risen, month by month, from 18 to "88. The daily average of residents in ihe two. houses throughout tho year has been 60. There has been an increasing demand for accommodation by younger girls; in consequence of which an age limit of 35 has been fised> Plans were in operation for extending tho Hostel work into a' third house, when the declaration of'war suspended all advance moves. . The majority of girls in tho Annexe provide their own meals, but this house has also been used to accommodate the ovorflow of boarders from tho Hostel. -', ,

Lunch and Rest Room. ".Girls engaged :n the city take advantage of the rest and lunch room between tho hours of 12 and 2. There has 'been an average daily attendance of 45. Some' bring their iunch and obtain light refreshments. In the winter evenings, when activities are in full swing, tlie space is taxed to the utmost, and to meet.the full need, quiet places have had to be found elsewhere on occasions." During the winter session more than 300 girls use tho club rooms weekly. These are mostly drawn to the meetings, lectures, classes, etc., but there aro many othsr's who make it their home on ofl-duty hours, and perhaps they are amongst those who appreciate its use most of all.

Letters aro continually received.from societies and individuals in Great Britain and: other parts of the World making inquiries about conditions and prospects ill tho various classes of employment out here. The Government Labour Department has helped us in this matter by adyico and by summing up tho needs and the averago wages for woiuen, All boats bringing assisted immigrants have been met, as well as many boats and trains, by special request from girls travelling alono. The British Girls' Club has afforded an opportunity oiice a month for newcomers from overseas to meet each other.

Educational. There has been a decided increase in class attendance during the winter sesr sion. The educational lectures given on the second Saturday of each month havo been very popular, tho smallest attendance being 36, and tho largest 112. Those who have given their valuahlo time on these occasions have been: Mr. J. C. Tennant, Rev. J. Gibson Smith, Rev. J. T. Nott, Miss Fitch, Mr. David Smith, 'also Mr. Evans and Mr. M'Eldownoy. The "Health Talks" by doctors and nurses have also been very, popular, the attendance averaging 61. These have been given by Nurse Macandrew and others of the Guild of St. John, by Dr. Platts-Mills, Dr. Edith Huntly, Dr. Von Danuoville, Dr. Hardwick Smith, and Dr. M'Cahan. Tho Te' Pani Club consists of the literary circles which opened their session in March. The Aroha Club is ono for girls under eighteen, but most of those who have joined it aro under sixteen. These are tho Hearth Firo Girls. A hearth-fire consists of a group of not more than fifteen girls, who with a leader or guardian, aro banded together for tho fourfold object of happiness, helpfulness, health, and home-making. Social life js by no moans neglected by tho association, and somo very enjoyable occasions' have been provided members. Two' clubs belong to the society —the Ramblers and the Lyric Club— and while the latter has not increased largely in numbers, it has improved in tpno and quality as a result of steady work under Mr. F. S. Pope as conductor. The club always has a special project in view, and has been able to give pleasure at various places. Syllabus of outings, classes, and clubs havo boon distributed among the shops and several of the factories. By this means many' girls have been brought into the association. Preparations were made to organiso a savings' club, and an entrance to several factories was gained before tho close of the year. Until then only one workroom had been regularly visited, but our policy for the coming year includes advance in the direction of this extension work. World's National and Local Associations. The. association has boon represented at tlie World's Conference in Stockholm by tho president, Mrs. .Webster, amongst tho Australasian delegates. The second New Zealand Conference was held at Diamond Harbour, under the leadership of Miss Barnes,-national secretary for Australasia. Wellington had nine delegates there. Thanks wore duo to tho lion, auditor', .Mr. C. D. Morpeth, and to Mr. Webb, hon. solicitor, also Mr. Port, and tboso who contributed to lectures; Mrs. W. F. Massey, Mrs. Shirtcliffo, and Mrs. Woods for having given drawing receptions in tho: interests of tho association; tho Mayor, Mr. J. P\ Luke, and Mrs. Luke, Mrs. Kitson, Mrs. Hind, Mrs. .Oallender, and Mrs. Peroy Woods, and