THE Y.M.C.A.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1004, 20 December 1910, Page 6

THE Y.M.C.A.

MR. J. G. W, AITKEN HONOURED. A PRESENTATION. Tho Young Men's Christian Association, catching time by the forelock, held a Christmas conversazione last night. A largo number of ladies and gentlemen sat down in sociable groups in tho lecture room, as the guests of tho Board of Directors. The occasion was also utilised to make a presentation to the retiring president, ill-. J. G. W. Aitken. The nowly-elccted president, Mr. E. Balcombe Brown, presided.

The Hon. C. M. Luke, M.L.C., said lie thought Mr. Aitken held a unique position in that no other Y.M.C.A. president in Australasia had held office for so many years. Ho also figured largely in philanthropic works, not only in expressing ; sympathy, but also in putting forth thoso great powers .which he possessed. There was no-stronger personality in this city than Mr., Aitken. (Applause.) He hoped his retirement from the office of president would not' deprive the association of the benefit of his counsel and assistance. (Applause.) Mr. W. H. Kersley spoke appreciatively. of the work of Mr. Aitken on tho board, and emphasised his unselfishness in giving up so much of his time to tho work. He was the friend of young men, and' long before' the present Y.M.C.A. ■building was. opened, his office door was constantly open to all young men whom he'could in any way help. He was the santo everywhere, without frill, and genuine froin ; top to bottom. , Probably no other man in Wellington had done so much for the young men of tho city. (Applause.) The following address (handsomely illuminated and framed) was then presented:— To J. G. W. Aitken, Esq. Dear Sir,—The board of directors of the'. Young Men's Christian Association of the city of Wellington cannot allow the occasion of your retirement from the presidency to pass without an .expression of their high appreciation of the conspicuous .service, you liave rendered as 1 president of the association since its inception in 1902. The value of your counsel and leadership, especially. during tho critical time connected with the erection, equipment, and opening of our new building, will never be. forgotten. The ' young men of the city and this association have always found in you the kindliest and -warmest, friend in every time of need. We thank our Heavenly Father for your consecrated , activity amongst us, and pray, that many years of service for Christ may yet be -yours.—We remain,, on behalf of the board of directors, ' E. . Balcombe Brown; . president. H. W. Kersley, first vice-president. '. W. Allan,'second vice-president. H. S. Hart, lira, secretary.' H. N: Holmes,'general secretary. Tho whole audience rose . and . lustily cheered the recipient.Mr. Aitken returned thanks in an g.ppropriate speech, in. .which he modestly disclaimed most, of ' the good things that had been said ;of ,him. . He-had, as president, done what'he could for tho,advancement of the association.. He was sure that under the presidency. of Mr. Brown the association woiild' prosper rnoro and more. There were very, many young men who should take advantage of what.tho association could: offer them -. and be benefited,-thereby. •. He hope'd that during Mr. Brown's tcrm lof -offipe'the membership would'bo doubled and trebled. He asked the .gathering to givo. three hearty cheers for the new president.- . Tho call was'enthusiastically responded to, 'and "one more for Mrs. Brown" was added. •

Mr. Brown suitably, acknowledged the compliment. The Y.M.C.A. was tho greatest modem force ' for the bantling ' together and uplifting of young men. Fortunately everything did not rest upon the president, and he was particularly glad tlioy had in Wellington such an excellent secretary as Mr. H. N.Holmos; (Applause.)

Songs were contributed'by Messrs. Armstrong, W. Goudie, and Bryant, recitations by Miss Allan, a piario.solo by Miss Betty,..and ,an . instrumental. trio by 'Messrs. iJ'Farlane, Carr, and 'Anderson. . Refreshments . and social. . intercourso concluded a very pleasant evening.

llr.-; H. I\. Holmes, • general secretary of the Wellington Association .and honorary secretary of the New Zealand . Sectional Committee, returned' from a short organising visit.last.-Friday, night. , Immediately following itlio-missions conducted by. I)r. rHenry-an(l;.ilr. n .l'otts in Wa-' nganui, Hastings, and'Palmerst'o'n North came the desire .to form a' branch of the Y.M.C.A. with a' modern equipment. JTr. Holmes met a group of business men at' Palmerston 'North and outlined a policywhich .they decided to adopt. The first step.will be to secure the.names of three hundred young men' who would be willing to join a_branch, and this task is being entered into with great enterprise. Arriving'in Hastings on Wednesday'afternoon a meeting.;of the board of directors .was'held the same evening- and next day Mr. Holmes was entertained-at dinner by 50 business men -It'the'-Piccadilly-Tea Booms, and in the evening gave a lantern lecture in . St. Mathew's Hall 011 "The World-wide Growth of the Y.M.C.A. Movement." • ■

At tlio Wellington Y.M.C.A. on Sunday Mr. W. H. George (vice-president), in welcoming the' strangers to the gathering, of whom there were fifteen out of a total, attendance of seventy-eight, spoke of the help that the association, was rendering :fo young .men away from the Homeland., The difficulties facing these .men'were numerous and -lie-urged them to command those responsible in assisting theni 111 every way possible.

He also eulogised the wo'rk ; of the.ladies' auxiliary. During' the past few years they had rendered valuable service to the association, and. it ws.s a pleasure for liim to welcome its new ptesident (Mrs. Webb) at. the "strangers' tea." and he felt sure that under her presidency the auxiliary would continue in providing for tlie needs of men. ' .