INVERCARGILL Y. W. C. A.

Digger (Invercargill RSA), Issue 4, 9 April 1920, Page 12

INVERCARGILL Y. W. C. A.

(Continued from April 1.) SOCIAL. The "Come Again" evenings have been popular throughout the Winter and have been regularly held on the first Wednesday of each month. There were over eighty at the Annual Meeting on May 7, when we took the opportunity of welcoming Miss Thomson from Dunedin, who had come aniongst us for a year as Leader of our Girls' Work. The Hon. A. F. Hawke was in# the Chair, and after the usual business programme, stunts of welcome and songs were given by the girls. Supper was dispensed at the invitation of the Board of Directors. Closely following this was a farewell to Miss Alice Hunt, who for two years held the position of Girls' Department Secretary. Enthusiasm put into this "Alice In Wonderland" party by the ninety-five who attended expressed something of tlie appreciation which the girls felt for Miss Hunt. Yet another specially arranged party was that given quite recently, when it was discovered that Miss Earnshaw, onetime Ceneral Secretary of this Association, was visiting Invercargill. Quite a number of the girls who had known and loved Miss Earnshaw took this opportunity of rneeting her again and talking over old times. THRIFT CLUB. The number of girls taking aclvantage of this Club is steadily increasing. There are now 48 members on the roll and there is a substantial increase in the amoimts deposited. The total deposits for the year are £105 4s as against £48 7s 4d deposited last year. During the Winter some of the girls from the Thrift Club at the Rosedale Woollen Mills formed a . Rosedale Saturday Club at the Association. LIBRARY. The books have been re-catalogued and numbered and we appeal through these pages for gifts of suitable books from our friends and well-wishers. IIOSTEL. At last we have secured a House Secretary. The Wellington Association very generously released Miss Farquhar from their Brougham -Street residence, and she arrived to take up dutics with us on November 1. Since writing our last report the east wing of the building which contained a large meeting hall has been painted and subdivided into six bedrooms, with electric light installed. Four of these are already occupied. We also report the addition of a man on our hostel staff, whose duty it is mainly to kec-p the grounds in order. There have passed through the Hostel in the twelve months 10/ transcient and 47 permanerit * boarders. In order to purchase some much needed extras the House Committee gave a Donation At Home in the Federal Tea Rooms. Over 100 guests were entertained, and the sum of £19 was realised.. We were sorry to say good-bye to Mrs Cartwright, who had been with us as Matron from the third month of our cxistence, and who had so loyally helped us, during the difficult times which are inevitable at the beginning of such a new venture.

Mrs Cartwright carries with her the good wishes of all those who resided under her kindly care. ^ NATIONAL BOARD OF AUSTRALIA. The 5th Triennial Convention was held in Auckland in November, 1919. One delegate from Invercargill attended. A Workers' Conference was held in Christchurch in March, 1919, when many of the delegates had the pleasure of meeting for the first time Miss Amy A. Snelson, National Secretary for Australasia. j Two delegates from Invercargill attended. The New Zealand Summer Conference followed closely upon the Triennial Convention and was held at Hayward's, Wellington, in February, one delegate from Invercargill attending. The leaders of the Conference were Miss Amy A. Snelson, National Ceneral Secretary, and Miss Jean Stevenson, National Industrial Secretary. NATIONAL. Although at the very inopportune time of Christmas week, the visit to Invercargill of the National Ceneral-Secretary, Miss Snelson, was- much enjoyed by those who were able to take part. Tlie attendance at the Sunday afternoon meeting in Victoria Hall was considerably lessened by bad weather and the holiday season, but the happy time spent together both there and at the Christmas tea, which followed was quite an inspiration to the forty-two who braved the elements. The evening spent by the girls with Miss Snelson has left a pleasant memory, and her next visit to this Association is eagerly anticipated by at least one little group of girls. The proposed selieme for Community Work in Invercargill, as introduced by Miss Snelson, at a rneeting with the Advisory Board has been widely discussed, but owing to difficulties with regard to buildings, etc., on the part of the Y.M.C.A., nothing definite has been done. We are hoping to hear shortly that some of these difficulties have been surmounted, and that we may yet more definitely consider tlie idea of introdueing Community Work here. GIRLS' DEPARTMENT. Each year impresses upon us the growing need for concentrated work upou the adolescent girls. The All Round Clubs on Monday night prove most popular and the attendance has been good. The subject studies liave been blousemaking physical culture, know vour city, glee singing, impromptu speeches and discussions. Two Ilearthfire Groups for scliool girls and one other were formed and continued throughout the year, also two Bible Circles at the Girls' High School, one lead by the Ceneral Secretary and one by the Girls' Department Secretary. Members of this Department have joined in tlie rambles and out-of-door sports whenever possible. On June 2, a High Tea to farewell Miss Hunt was daintily arranged by the #irls whose "after-tea" speeches expressed warmly the appreciation of Miss Hunt's work aniongst them. Quito a number dressed up in "Alice In Wonderland" costumes for the party, and the Mad Hatter's Tea Party and the Turtle's Story acted by some, added to the fun of the evening. Ilearthfire parties have been held, and the first Swearing-in Ceremony, with Miss [ Thomson as Chief Guardian, was attended

J by several members of the Board of Dl rectors. The Japanese Fair by which the girls H raised their money for the Foreign Woril was most encouraging. Each HearthfinH was in charge of a stall and some of th| youthful stall-holders sold their wareia from cushions on the floor. On the AJ Round Club depencled tlie arrangemenli for tlie supper. APPRECIATION. The thanks of the Association are dut to our Hon. physician, Dr Pottinger, who so willingly advises cases of sickness at the Hestil; to Mr C. S. Longuet, Hon, Solicitor; and to Mr J. Hensley, Hon, Auditor. We also thank those who havel given gifts and services to both Hostei and Club Rooms or have assisted us at meetings and functions or in other wajJ during the year. "Thus on we go Fixing our eyes upon our Iving, Though far below ; Unknowing, yet not fearing whai the year may bring."