Report of the Committee of the Wellington Ladies' Christian Association

For the Year 1884-5.

Mothers' Meetings.

Newtown.—Mrs. Boxall and Mrs. Wright, who conduct this meeting speak of a success attending it far exceeding their expectations, not only in the numbers attending, but also in the great interest taken in the Bible—reading. At the last few meetings as many as from 12 to 20 have been present. During the year 34 meetings have been held.

Herbert Street.—This meeting was opened in January, 1881, and has been held regularly since that time. There are now 19 names on the books; average attendance 8. The interest taken in the meeting is very encouraging, and some who come to them seem to have received great benefit, being regularly found at a place of worship. It is believed that the good seed sown is already bringing forth good fruit.

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Molesworth Street.—Miss Bennett reports of this meeting a great improvement in the attendance, 20 names being on the books; average attendance 10. The Bible reading is greatly appreciated. The libraries connected with the meetings are very much valued. It is with great regret the Committee have received Miss Bennett's resignation, she being greatly beloved by the Mothers, and being eminently suited for Christian work. It is earnestly trusted her meetings will not be permitted to collapse for want of a good leader.

Wellington Ladies' Christian Association.

Year Ended 31st March, 1885.

The Ladies' Christian Association in Account with the Treasurer.

Rules. of the Wellington Ladies' Christian Association.

1. The Association shall be designated "The Wellington Ladies' Christian Association.

3. The Association shall consist of Ladies who are in communion with any Christian Church, and who contribute not less than five shillings annually to the funds of the Association.

4. The affairs of the Association shall be managed by a Committee composed of the wives of the various Ministers of Religion in the City, and also of twelve Members (with power to add to their number), a Treasurer, and a Secretary. Five members of the Committee to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

5. The Annual Meeting of the Association shall be held on the second Friday in the month of April, in the rooms of the Young Men's Christian Association, at 3.30 p.m., when a report of the year's proceedings shall be read, the Treasurer's balance-sheet presented, office bearers elected for the ensuing year, and any business transacted that shall be before the meeting. A General Half-yearly Meeting of Members shall also be held in the month of October, on the second Friday, at 3.30 p.m.

6. Ordinary Meetings of the Committee shall be held monthly, at the rooms of the Young Men's Christian Association, on the first Monday of each month at 3.30 p.m.

7. The Sub-Committee, to consider and relieve cases of urgent distress, shall meet every Monday, at 3 o'clock. Members engaged in the various branches of the Association's work, shall report upon it to the Committee at their Monthly Meetings.

8. Dorcas Meetings shall be held every Friday, at St. John's Schoolroom, at 2 p.m.

9. All meetings of the Association shall be opened and closed with prayer.

Fifth Annual Report of the Home for Destitute and Friendless Women.

The Managing Committee of the Women's Home desire in presenting their Fifth Annual Report to the subscribers, to express their sense of the special causes of thankfulness which the experience of the past year has given.

Although the number of those admitted has been greater than during any previous year, and there have been some cases of serious illness, yet the atmosphere of the Home has as a rule been cheerful and busy; the general tone among the inmates has been higher than heretofore; there has been very little insubordination or discord, and the conduct of the young women to whom the institution has afforded a period of probation after a first offence, has generally speaking, been very good, and in some cases really admirable.

Seven young women of the class last referred to have left the Home during the past year. Two of these have married respectably; two of them are in good situations where they are giving great satisfaction to their employers; one has returned to her parents; one, who was in delicate health at the time of her admission, has died; and one left before her time of probation had expired (see Rule 6), and returned to her friends.

The experience of the last two years has shown the Committee how much may be done in the way of giving a fresh start in life to those who, after having borne good characters, have gone astray for the first time. It has likewise confirmed their belief that it would be a grievous error to bring them into contact with habitual offenders.

As some misapprehension still exists as to the class of persons who are admitted to the Home, it may be as well to state that immediately after the opening of a Female Refuge last year, the Managing Committee passed the following resolution:—"No woman of known bad character is to be admitted to the Home even for a single night." The imperative necessity for such a rule had been proved by experience.

The average number of inmates during the past year has been about sixteen—twelve adults and four children—four of the former are permanent inmates, who are too old or too infirm to gain their own living.

Thirty-five women and four children have been admitted; but the number of admissions during the year has been forty-five, as several had been received twice,

Seven women and one child have been admitted from the Hospital. There have been five births and two deaths; one of the deaths was that of a child who was admitted in a dying condition, the other that of the probationer already mentioned.

A reference to the balance-sheet will give some idea of the amount of the laundry-work which, except for the hired labour of one woman for one or sometimes two days in a week, is the work of the inmates, and is well done.

Ten shillings per week, or less in some cases, is charged to those who, being able to pay, simply come to board at the Home, and are either absent during the day or are not strong enough to take an active part in the household work, which is of course all done by the inmates.

The Committee gratefully acknowledge their obligations to Archdeacon Stock for his weekly services at the Home, and to Mr. Gaby, who holds a service there every alternate Sunday.

Their special thanks are also due to the Honorable John Johnston for two donations of £50 each, to the Honorable G. M. Waterhouse for his donation of £100, and to Drs. Hutchinson, Keyworth, Kemp, Chilton and McKellar, who have all kindly given gratuitous medical attendance.

Mr. Fitchett has again generously supplied the Home with milk for four months free of charge, and many other kind gifts of furniture, clothing, &c., have been received from different quarters.

The Committee much regret the departure of the President, Mrs. Atkinson, whose kind individual interest in the inmates was of great benefit to them.

The Committee are preparing to extend their work by the erection of a Cottage Home for orphans and destitute children on a piece of ground well suited for the purpose near the Women's Home. The number of children is not to exceed twenty, and the institution will be organised on the family plan which has proved so successful in England and Germany. Mr. Waterhouse's donation was given on the understanding that is was to be set aside as part of the building fund of a Children's Cottage Home. There are not at present sufficient funds in hand for this purpose, but the Committee hope to have enough before long to justify them in making a beginning.

The added experience of each year as it goes by will, the Committee hope and believe, lead to such further improvements in the working and organization of the Home as may, with God's blessing, tend to increase its influence and usefulness.

Comittee of Management of the Home.

• President: Mrs. Habens
• Vice-President: Miss E. Greenwood
• Treasurer: Mrs. Drew
• Secretary: Miss E. Greenwood
• Committee: Mrs. Bennett, Mrs. Harcourt, Mrs. Hunter, Mrs. J. Kebbell, Mrs. Pilcher, Mrs. Stock, Mrs. B. Smith, Mrs. Grant, Miss A. Greenwood, And Mrs. J. Tyeth Hart, President, W.L.C.A. (ex officio).

Home for Friendless Women.

Home for Friendless Women, Wellington.

Balance Sheet for the Year ending 31st March, 1885.

Rules of the Home for Destitute and Friendless Woman.

Report of The Female Retuge, Nairn Street.

At the time of the last Annual Meeting, and for some weeks afterwards, there were about six inmates, and so much work was done as greatly to assist in the maintenance of the Institution. In September last, Mrs. Jowsey the then Matron resigned her position, and about the same time many of the inmates left, thus almost entirely putting an end to this source of income. An efficient person as Matron was found in Miss Smith; but during her management the inmates able to work have been few, and as a consequence the Institution has been wholly dependent on the subscriptions. These were of course insufficient to depend on as an income. Miss Smith having notified her intention to resign, and a second Refuge having been started in the town (in no way connected with the Ladies' Christian Association), the Committee resolved to close the Refuge in Nairn Street for a time, hoping to see their way clear at no far off day to resume their work with better prospects of success from the experience gained during the last few months. They feel the necessity of closing the Institution for a time a great disappointment, still they cannot believe their work has been wholly in vain, as during the time the Refuge has been opened (notwithstanding the great difficulty of reaching the class whose benefit they seek), they have reason to hope that four of the inmates are at the present time leading improved lives. The lease of the house in Nairn Street has been purchased during the year for £200, and a considerable sum has been expended to render it suitable for the purpose for which it was wanted. During the temporary suspension of active work, a trustworthy person has been put in charge at a small rental which will defray current charges.

The thanks of the Committee are due to Dr. Fell, who has most kindly given his professional services when required; also to Mr. Fitchett, who has supplied milk free of charge for seven months—and to others who have given their time and substance to advance the cause.

Managing Committee.

• President: Lady Jervois.
• Secretary: Mrs. Tyeth Hart.
• Treasurer: Mrs. Willcox.
• Mrs. Stock.
• Mrs. Mckerrow.
• Mrs. Young.
• Mrs. Wright.
• Mrs. Kemp.
• Mrs. Tringham.

Subscriptions and Donations to The Female Refuge, Aairn Street.

Receipts and Expenditure of Female Refuge

For the Year ending 31st March, 1885.

Rules of the Wellington Female Refuge.