A SUCCESSFUL YEAR.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 203, 28 July 1937, Page 12

A SUCCESSFUL YEAR.

ANNUAL MEETING OF Y.W.C.A. Mr A. A. Langley presided over the nineteenth annual meeting of the Palmerston North branch of the Y.W.C.A., which was held last night, there being a good attendance. Brief reports of clubs were presented by the presidents as followßusiness and Professional Women’s Round Table, Miss C. Warburton ; Business Girls’ Lyceum, Miss B. Baillie; Girl Citizen Clubs, Miss B. Cutten.

Commenting on the annual report, Mr Langley expressed pleasure that considerable progress in the activities of the Y.W.C.A. was indicated. The old-fashioned idea that the Y.W.C.A. was merely a place where girls found shelter was fast disappearing. Although improvement in physical wellbeing was more easily explained sfnd more attractive in inducing support by public subscription, yet it was worth mentioning that the work was not merely physical, hut in addition succeeded in the development of both the mental and spiritual sides. It was a great recovery factor in the life of the community for it reconciled ago with age, uniting all types of work. It was undenominational, linking girls and women of every country and religion. Mr Langley spoke of the fact that the rooms were being made use of more and more. Finance was carefully watched and studied by the advisory board and members of the local Rotary Club. It was worthy of note that the clubs were practically selfsupporting. The presidents and committee members of the clubs were of great assistance to the secretary, and for their services they had the thanks of the board and directors. In the absence of the treasurer, Mr Langley presented the balance-sheet, which disclosed a satisfactory position providing for an* extension of activities. The report and balance-sheet were adopted without further discussion. The election of officers resulted:— President, (Mrs G. G. Priest; vicepresidents,'Mesdames K. Dean and C, Jamieson; board of directors, Mesdames Priest,- W. J. Phillips, E. C. Barnett, C. A. Small, Iv. Dean, R. D. Knight, D. Evans, W. H. Rainforth, C. Jamieson, P. Flood, F. G. Major, W. E. Winks, Jolly, Misses Forrest, Grigor, and Kelly; advisory board, Messrs W. E. Winks, J. 0. Boniface, A. A. Langley, G. G. Priest, W. G. Black, H. Christmas, A. Grigor; honorary solicitor, Mr L. Laurenson ; honorary auditor. Mr W. C. Harrington. Eulogistic reference was made to the leadership of Mrs Priest by Mrs Major, who said that she knew of no committee working more harmoniously than the Y.W.C.A. board. Returning thanks for her election Mrs Priest said she looked forward to another year of association and progress.'

On the motion of Mrs Priest thanks were accorded the leaders of the clubs, nil voluntary helpers, committee members, Mi' Harrington, Mrs Whiteman, and the Press. Mrs Dean asked Mr Langley to convey to the members of the advisory board the appreciation of the board of directors for their help during the year. Mrs Small voiced the hoard’s appreciation of the general secretary (Miss *P. Hindle), through whose eyes the members had been able to see with clearer vision and had come to love the work. Miss Hindle’s high attainments and charm of manner t had brought new enthusiasm into the work. These remarks were endorsed by Mr Langley. Thanks were also conveyed to the honorary auditor and solicitor. Birthday greetings were then collected in small bags and presented to the president. Plays were presented by girl citizens and members of the Y.W.C.A. Business Girls’ Lyceum. The first play was “April Showers,” produced by Miss R. Less, those taking part being Joyce Gilherd, Myra Forrest, Helen Louden, Alison Pederson, Josephine Judd, and Ruth Lees. “A Girl for the Hall’’ was the second play, the players being Ethel Helsby, Sylvia Nix, Margaret Ekstedt, Lila Elston, Phoebe Small, Gwen Whitmore, Mavis Williams, and Barbara Turner. The producer was Mrs Silson.

The birthday cake, which had been made and presented by Mrs W. J. Phillips, was cut by the officers, the chairman of the advisory board, the presidents and secretaries of the clubs, and the chairmen of meetings also taking their part.