Y.M.C A. REVIEW.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1862, 23 September 1913, Page 3

Y.M.C A. REVIEW.

THE PROGRESS OF A DECADE.

On Sunday the Strangers' Tea Committee of the Y.M.C.A. held its tenth anniversary in the association rooms. Professor Picken presided over a large meeting, which was addressed by the Rev. A. T. Brainsby, his subject being "Foundations of Character." , Tea was served in tho Assembly Hall. Mr. Geo. M'Kay read the report, which showed that during tho past twelve months over 2500 men had attended the tea, including 530-jtrangers to the city. To-day, tho Wellington Y.M.C.A. completes the first year of its second decade's work in this city. It was in September, 1902, at the close of tho Torrey-Alexander Mission, that the then Mayor, Mr. J. G. W. Aitken, presided over a gathering in tho Vivian Street Baptist Church, at which it was de-cided-to organise an association in Wellington. ' In the men who have guided it the association has been fortunate. Mr. ; J. G. W. Aitken occupied the presidential chair for the first seven yeats, which was the period of its most rapid ■growth.'. He was succeeded by Mr. E. Balcombe Brown, who proved an ablo successor. Mr. H. W- Kersley, the present occupant of tho chair, followed Mr. Brown, and during his term the work-has demanded exceptionally close and careful attention, owing to the critical naturo of 'some of its problems. These gentlemen have, together with the three general secretaries which the association has had, been primarily responsible for the policy of the association. All the efforts'of .these gentlemen, ■ together with the other officers and members, would have been of littlo effect without the splendid generosity of Mrs. M. A. Williams, and her followcitizens of Wellington. Mrs.. Williams made possible the erection of tho Willis Street building by her gift of the fand, and this was ably supplemented by the generosity of tho Wellington public,'which contributed over £13,000 to put up a suitable building.