Y.M.C.A.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1683, 25 February 1913, Page 6

Y.M.C.A.

■■ ;—4 ~ : .-. ... ~.. AT WORK IN THE. TENTED FIELD. ' A feature of the Territorial camp at'.'. ' Trentham last week, was tho .Y.M.C.A» marquee,, erected for tho purposo of ren« dering. service to ■ the men under canvas. The marquee was equipped with rending /iwl, writing material, together. with -ap- . ■ paratus for social enjoyment,, including i>uch games as chess, draughts, ana" baga»' • telle. In addition, through the courtesy of the Continental Piano .Company) a. piano was supplied for the use of the men, and provided much opportunity for social " intercourse. Tho marquee, 80ft. by 20ft., proved totally inadequate to cope with the work in the evenings, «9 the cry "Full"was often heard after a hard day's'work, Much improved accommodation will' bo available in future. - '■''■. , Ono of the great- features was .tho eplen-. did light provided by two 700 candle-power Lux lights, one inside and one outside tho marquee. This made tho tent indeed "tho light of tho camp." So successful was tho lighting that the officers secured a'siniilat lamp at the earliest possible moment foi their'own tent.. The association desires' to express its thanks to the Lift-'Light.' Company, and also, -tho. New Zealand Acetylene Gas Company, for.lamps pro- ' vided by that firm. Not only wore theso'" lamps used by tho Y.M.C.A. for its ex- ' press purpose, but also in cases of-oiuerg- ■'.. ; ency at tho bakehouse, hospital,- etc! . The facilities provided^for tho/troona '■■ were taken full advantage of, oi may ba ' gathered from tho fact that each day -' there was an attendance of over* 200 men. Special lcttor-heads, postcards, and envelopes,, kindly donated by jho Globe '■ Printing Company, Wright and Carman, and Watkins, Tyer, and Tolan, were large« ly used by the men, whilst magazines, etc, given by Mr. R. Brown, Willis Street,were very popular, and provided many hours' quiet enjoyment after tho stronuous campaigning, Literature was also pro* ■" vided for tho hospital marquee, and waS' much appreciated. Major Corrigon, the officer in command, Lieutenant-Colonel Campbell. LieutenantColonel Purdy, and Major Davis all expressed their appreciation of the work being doiio by tho Y.M.C.A; on behalf of the men. On nil hands tho troops seemed well pleased, at tho manner in which the association was catering for their.social wel- , fare. ■ .';■..; Mr.'Ryan, who'had charge of the marquee, speaks in the highest terms,of the. , courtesy and kindness of tho officers, and - also of the excellence of the general bo- ; hnviour of the men; It has been a pleasure to serve the troops, and tho Y.M.C.A, it to be congratulated on seeking; to provide ,- in Territorial camps opportunities for so. m cinl and educational ■'.• enjoyment of a, healthy type. The chaplains co-operated wherever possible with the marquee. Each evening, in conjunction with tho C.E.M.S., a short religious-service was conducted- in tho Y.M.C.A. : tent, and was well attended.