Y.W.C.A.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16486, 27 February 1914, Page 4

Y.W.C.A.

• DIAMOND HARBOUR CONGRESS. The Y.W.C.A. Conference at I)uk mond Harbour was continued on Wednesday. y ■ . The study circles met during tho morning. Miss Stillwell’s circle oa China discussed “ The Domestic Relationship and Home Life of the Chinese Women.” Miss Brentnall's circle on India discussed “ Association Work.” It was stated that there were .one hundred and forty Associations in J India. • Some of these were just small f roups of girls meeting in each other’s omes. There were seventy-eix city and sixty-four student Associations. Of the city, ones about twenty would rank with European large Associations. Boarding homes arid holiday homes were a feature'of the work. Tho two Bible study circles, . under tho leadership of jMiss Lawson and the Rev George Oupp, took the study*of “Nehemiah as a Man of Forethought ” and "The Unselfish Dignity of the Master” respectively. / “The Technical Hour,” conducted by Miss Barnes, was given over to rej ports of Association forward move- ’ ments. Miss Stillwell reported that ; as the result of a membership campaign, the Auckland membership nad increased to over one thousand. This was the } largest membership of all the New .Zea- • land Associations. The building camShad been most successful, £16,000 g been raised in ten days. Miss Birch reported a steady increase in Wellington membership, and it now numbered 689. A home for girls, called the Annexe, provided sleeping accommodation, arid facilities for preparing their own meals, at a minimum charge. At present Wellington was the only Association which met the needs of the girls in this 1 way. Miss Griffen, of Dunedin, reported that £3OOO had been secured by the building campaign, arid a building for hostel purposes had-been purchased. The membership numbered 500. Other reports were deferred until the following day. I The afternoon was devoted to “ Association Day.” Proceedings began with a procession of delegates, after which short addresses were given, each Association humorously depicting in verse or song the advantages and beriefite it could offer. The “ Foundation Members’ ” item was productive of much merriment. 1 At the evening service Mr E. 0. Brownell, general secretary of the Christchurch Y.M.0.A., gave an address on “Service.” ' I During the afternoon a number of the Christchurch Y.W.C.A. member? visited the Conference, returning after Vespers. Mr and .Mrs Brownell remained as .the guestsof the Conference. Mies F; Stillwell left in the afternoon for Auckland. -v