CLARKE MEMORIAL HOSTEL.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 June 1921, Page 4

CLARKE MEMORIAL HOSTEL.

THE Y.W.C.A. CAMPAIGN. OVER £3OOO RAISED. At a meeting of Y.W.C.A. campaigners at the Soldiers’ Club last evening, . lhe president of the local branch of the Y.W.C.A. (Mrs. E. A. Walker), announced that over £3OOO was in hand or in sight towards the purchase of Chatsworth House as a hostel for girls and women of the town and district. Last week’s effort, she said, had realised £935, and there were several amounts still to come in, including the proceeds from the Waitara and district mart, Inglewood collections, the Red and White darned, special picture entertainment, etc. Before the campaign! over! £2OOO had been subscribed or prow mised, making a grand total of ove« £3OOO available for the purchase of thg building. “It is a really wonderful result* everything considered,” said the man of the gathering (Mr. T. C. List); who took the place of the Mayor, whq was otherwise engaged. He paid a tri« bute to the zeal of the workers, thqj capacity of the organiser (Alias Birch)* and the enthusiasm of the chief off teams (Mrs. Walker), and said thflf successful establishment of a branch oi such a useful and helpful organisation! as the Y.W.C.A. should prove of considS eraible benefit to the community. Mrs. Walker thanked All contributor! for their generous helpf also the Mal< Choir, for giving a concert at Okatoi Mr. W. W. Smith for his kind offer to| keep the hostel garden in order; th! manager of the Soldiers’ Club for freqj use of club’s premises and his kinddi ly offices; and • the captains of th< teams for their loyalty and zeal. Speaking of “their general,” Walker said: “Where would we ha vet been without our general (Miss Birch) I think she has been an inspiration and revelation to all of us, and an incentive, to us to put forth our utmost efforts.’* She then asked Miss Birch’s acceptance, of a small token of the deep regard entertained for her by those taking part in the, campaign. In presenting her with a handbag, Mrs. Walker expressed the hope she would meet with more and more success in the noble and seif-*, sacrificing work for women and girls iit; which she was engaged. (Loud applause). Miss Birch, who was taken by surprise, said the campaign had been a somewhat difficult one, but there had been many compensations, not the least of which was the splendid co-operation and self-sacrifice, of those associated with her. She felt sure they would continue their good work, and be a power and influence for good in the community. The Y.W.C.A. stood for service to and love for others, and she was sure they were actuated by thia splendid spirit, otherwise they could never have triumphed in the manner they had. She hoped to come backs again when the hostel was opened. A house secretary, who would act as matron, in the person of Miss Routen, of Wellington, had been appointed by thd Board of Governors that afternoon. Sha had all the attributes of a successful matron who believed in a wide and benevolent interpretation of the rules and regulations, and the speaker had nd doubt but that the hostel under her care would be an immense success, and from it w’ould radiate other activities of benefit and help to the community(Applause.) She urged them not td lose touch with the Y.W.C.A., but toj give it all the support it deserved. The chairman said the town wa! greatly indebted to. Miss Birch for hej help in establishing the Y.W.C.A. and the hostel in New Plymouth, also for implanting ideals that could not help but bear good fruit in the near future, sentiments which were cordially endorsed by Messrs. P. J. White, W. Ambury, and Rev. Blundell, all of whom congratulated the ladies upon the success achieved. Mrs. C. H. Weston proposed votes of thanks to the strategy committee, Mrs. Neal, the Press, Mrs. Alexander (who arranged the transport), Mrs. List (who had charge of the evening teas), the Whiteley Ladies’ Guild, and all the ladies and gentlemen who had helped the movement in various capacities. Miss Birch followed by moving vote! of thanks to the chief of teams (Mrsy Walker), the secretaries (Mrs. T. I*Anderson and Miss Brewster), the treasw urer (Miss Mackay), and the men’s ad« visory board During the evening a musical pro* gramme was submitted and greatly enjoyed, those contributing being Mrs. T< C. List, Mrs. Le Maye, Mrs. C. M. Hillj Misses Smith, Shaw, Home, Lambert; and Fair, and little Miri Hill. Towards the close of .the evening thi Mayor attended, and tendered his com gratulations to the ladies upon the success of their week’s effort. Frankly, he said, he was amazed that at such a > time as the present they were able td obtain over £lOOO in a week, and it only showed what organisation, well direct* ed and enthusiastic, could do. Refreshments were provided by th 4 girls, and a pleasant evening by singing the National Anthem.