CHARACTER-BUILDING

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 133, 26 August 1927, Page 7

CHARACTER-BUILDING

WORK OF “SALEM HOUSE” HELP FOR YOUNG WOMEN “THE transformation of character is slow and intricate work which cannot be hastened by ‘mass production' methods.” The annual report of the Door of Hope Association, submitted to the 31st annual meeting yesterday, declared that there was nothing spectacular about the work of “Salem House.” No one realised more than social workers that character was taught and not caught. During the year the property had been improved and a hard-surface tennis court had been laid down. The committee expressed its warm appreciation of the excellent management of the home by the matron, Mrs. Graham, and her sister, Miss Lanauze. It thanked Dr. Woodward Horsley for generously giving professional services when required. Mr. W. R. Wilson, chairman of the committee, presided. The matron, in her report, said a constant effort was made to improve the methods of the home. There were increasing numbers of requests from employers for girls as domestics. The general experience was that they gave better service than the average, and it Was a rare thing to have a girl sent back. The preventive work done by the home was giving very encouraging results. FINANCIAL STATEMENT The financial statement showed a total revenue of £1,232 7s 4d, and a total expenditure of £1,416 Is 7d, leaving expenditure £lB3 14s 3d in excess. The annual report explained that this excess was due largely to non-recur-

ring expenditure under the heading of “repairs and maintenance.” It was satisfactory to note the item “maintenance fees” amounted to £553, an increase of £254 over the preceding year’s amount. This item represented chiefly the productive work of the girls in the home, and was the largest single source of revenue. The accounts showed that the home was being economically run, and that the call upon the community for support had not been heavy. During the year the association had received £335 under the will of the late Mr. A. D. Lubecki, and a final payment of £23 17s 6d from the estate of the late Mr. J. M. Merrick. The bank overdraft had been reduced by £375 in the course of the year. The three retiring members of the committee. Messrs. A. E. Ellis, J. C. Dickson and W. R. Wilson, were reelected. Mr. H. W. Shove was reappointed auditor.