CO129-410 - Governor Sir May - 1914 [3-5] — Page 227

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Council. The first week in November was, as usual observed as the annual "Y. W. C. A. Week of Prayer" and we were fortunate in having with us on that Tuesday Miss Paddock, National Y. W. C. A. Sec: for China. Miss Paddock conducted the prayer meet- ing and gave an instructive and helpful address. Other Y. W. C. A. visitors passing through Hongkong- whom we have derived benefit from were Miss Wheeldon going to Bombay who took a Tuesday Bible Class and Miss Radford returning from Calcutta on. furlough who addressed a special Drawing Room Meeting.

Secretary. One of the difficulties which had to be faced during the year was that the Secretary from England, Miss Jacob, was only with us for six months. She arrived in January but resigned in March, and left in June. The vacancy thus caused was filled pro: tem: by Mrs. Edkins who now, at the end of the year retires and is succeeded by Mrs. Kydd. Mrs. Kydd is well-known to many of us as she acted as Hon: Sec:: in 1908 while the Sec; was at home on furlough. Mrs. Kydd proved at the time her value to the Y.W.. C. A. and is heartily welcomed back among us.

In the death of Miss Eyre last September the Hongkong Y. W. C. A. lost its Founder, and a most devoted and hard working Secretary. The Council take this opportunity of once again expressing their deep appreciation of the excellent work she did for so many years among the young women in the Colony.

Premises.-At present the Y. W. C. A. in Hong- kong can only provide Social rooms open daily. The one occupied in Beaconsfield Arcade since 1909, was given up during the summer months last year, but it is not proposed that summer closing should be-

come a rule. One good thing however that the clos- ing of that room did last summer was to prove how absolutely necessary a suitable and convenient room is to the work of the Society, In September the Council were fortunate in being able to rent a small suite in the building known as Beaconsfield. Members were most kind in contributing to the extra furnishing which the enlarged quarters necessitated the rooms were opened by Lady May and have given fresh impetus to the work of the Society.

It is with very great regret that we have just learnt that we cannot continue in these rooms after Dec: 31st. The building has changed hands and the new landlord requires the whole of the accommodation. Enquiries are being made for other premises which we trust may be found before this report has been many days in the hands of our members.

It was Miss Eyre's great desire to see in Hong- kong some sort of lodging accommodation under the auspices of the Y. W. C, A. for women passing through en route to other places, as well as for residents need- ing temporary shelter. The Council are fully in sympathy with the idea because they know the need is a real one. The past year alone has given instances of this. At present sufficient funds for such a scheme are lacking but it is hoped that in the near future the necessary money may be forthcoming and that ladies travelling alone may find in Hongkong something of the same kind of lodging accommodation as is provided for them in Colombo, Singapore, Bombay, Calcutta and Shanghai and for which we are constantly being asked,

WINIFRED EDKINS.

Hon: Sec;