Maori Girls' Hostel

White Ribbon, Volume 18, Issue 10, 1 November 1946, Page 5

Maori Girls' Hostel

ANNUAL REPORT PRESENTED BY M'RS. J. W. LONG

(Slightly abbre\iated.) During tlie year monthly committee meetings have been held at tiic Hostel, Mrs. Mount joy pressing and acting Treasurer for the Donations Account. We regret the withdrawal from the Committee of Miss Harlow, on account of overwork. We owe her a real debt of gratitude for valuable help given at all times.

1 fie work is constant, not easy, and calls for persistent effoit built on laitl: that never wavers, but trusts in the power of God. It goes on from morning to night, day alter day. We have had sortie lovely girls pass through, who are now out in positions where their training will be of great value to them. Many letters are received from them, telling of their love for the home, and its influence on their lives.

The young Maori, coming from the quiet country life to the big, busy city, with all its temptations, may soon he engulfed in wickedness, vice and liquor, unless they are led into the shelter and quietness of Hostel life. The young people in* our hostels are enjoying one of the greatest «*nvileges ever offered them. They Earn that one caivnot live for self, hut trust serve others to make a success of die whole. We believe we are undertaking something the Maori people cannot do, and know the results will be seen in the future.

It is almost three years since the Hostel was opened, and curing that time over 30 girls have been under our care, some only a short time, others much longer. Our Samoan students are still with us; exercising a splendid influence in the home, as they with others, take part in our Devotions. A personal contact has been made with ten of the girls’ mothers during the year. Some have stayed overnight, and others for a week. All have expressed surprise and gratitude for what has neen done. We hope to have the pleasure of meeting many more mothers in the days ahead. The invitation extended by the Matron to Unions to visit the Hostel and hold a meeting, as is usually done, or spend a social hour, has proved a great success. Interest lias been deepened and many useful gifts have come to the Hosul as a result. Mr. Long lias been kept busy mending and repairing, and has built a good fowl-house tor the fowls we raise ourselves, and which are now’ providing us with a good supply of fresh eggs and some for the time when they will he scarce. The garden lias been levelled and planted, new paths made, and the work goes on steadily. Several functions have taken place during the year which have given the Matron, Master, Molly and the girls much pleasure. A Christmas Tarty was given and the Committee agreed that each girl should receive a small gift. This was a real surprise, and Mrs. Kasper, as Dominion Yice-Prcsi-

dent, was asked to distribute the gifts. The girls arranged their own programme of action songs, and had their own chairman. The Matron and Master provided the supper and icecream.

A Kitchen Evening was given one of our oldest girls who was leaving to be married, this also being a great success. The great event of the year was the coming-of-age of Molly, our assistant and cook, a splendid girl, whose Chris tian influence and example speak with no uncertain sound. To show our appreciation of her stand among the girls, we decided to give her a birtnclay party. To keep it a secret was another matter. However, we managed, and Molly received a tremendous surprise as she arrived by taxi at .'be Presbyterian Church to find 7fl friends waiting to receive her. Mr. King took charge, and it was a really splendid evening. Sister Jessie from the Hepburn Street Hostel with a party, and Mr. King with a party of his Maori hoys came along. Several of our members came. The beautifully iced cake was Molly’s great thrill. She did not want it cut, but wanted to keep it and j ist look at it. Many beautiful presents were brought for Molly, ami the evening closed with I fevetions conducted by Mr. King. Miss C. McLay also gave the girls a pleasant evening in the form of a Lantern Lecture evening, and a Temperance talk, this being much enjoyed. During the year we have suffered the great loss of Miss L. Read, one of our first helpers. Her memory will always remain in our Hostel. A gift of mats came from her just before her death.

We now have, through a gift sent by Mrs. Lee Cowie of California, and the M isses Pyle, a very nice bedstead and bed, with a silver plate inscribed; "A loving tribute to the memory of Lydia Read from Mrs. Lee Cowie and the Misses Pyle.” We are greatly indebted to 11,ws«* ladies for this loving expression of appreciation.

Another \c r y valued friend has been called to Higher Service. I refer to Mr. \V. D. (ilaister, whose kindly interest and lovely messages end; i ed him to us all. Through the loving thought of Mrs. Glaister, we have today a new bathroom added to the Hostel tor the use of the Matron ami Master. W’e are most grateful. The room is now ready for use. Two new sets of concrete tubs have been put in the washhouse. These were v ery much needed. „ Still another addition lias been made in the shape of a new refrigerator, made necessary by the long week-ends am the large stocks to he laid in. W’e are most thankfu. for this. The Hostel pays its own expenses and has also paid for £SO worth of household goods, including bedsteads, mattresses, and many other : 'cms, W'e have ended the year with a g«x>d balance after paying rent, insurances,

two *ct* of rates, vvhiclf arc high, radio telephone, gas, electricity, repairs in small items, and keeping a Mock in hand. The expenses do not grow less, and there are items that will need attention very soon, so I am gong to appeal for assistance in this great work. First, I appeal for your continued prayer support. ! ask for your help to extend the Kingdom of God and lbs Christ among these people, to bring them into the light and liberty of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. My grateful thanks are extended t ( > all who have helped in any way toward* the work among the daughters of the most wonderful Native race in the world. Yours in this great work, MIRIAM LONG.