Y.M.C.A.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1918, 28 November 1913, Page 10

Y.M.C.A.

ANNUAL MKETLN'Ci. • The eleventh, annual meeting of tho Wellington branch cf tlio Voting 'Men's Christian Association was held in the A:M.C.A, liuiklings last evening. Mr/ 11. C. Kersley, president of the'society, presided over a gnod attendance. . The annual jcpurt states that the association'has passed through a busy and useful year. During- the year two'membership efforts...were mad;', and these resulted in an,addition of over 200 new members to tho roll. This brought the financial membership up to oUi, the largest membership, since entering tho presenr. building. Tim membership of the boys' department is now 111, an increase of !(i on last year's figures.. The gymnasiain' has now a membership of 2.13—73' men ami youths, 20 business men, GU'boys, ,'H ladies, ami 2!) girls. If. is claimed that: this is the largest physical culture organisation in the city. Besides this, the physical director has attended the Wellington Collego twice weekly and taken 100 boys weekly for p'hysisal drill and gymnastics, also 50 boys woekh- for boxing.

The department known as the""Strangei's' Tea." under t'ho guidanco of Mr. Geo. M'Kay; lias made new records, 'J'7.30 having' attended the gatherings on 50 occasions. Of this, number, 55!) wore strangers, and mauv have received their first hand-grip of welcome to the Do-minion-on these occasions. • The immigration work in conjunction with the Emigration Departments of iiie Home Y.M.C.A.'s has been carried onwith much success. Hundreds of men have taken, .advantage of the invitation extended to them In use the assoe.iatiun'r, rooms until such linm .as they .could obtain work. Though the association has .liot been able, to adequately cope with all req.iasts for work, many o'fr, the 201 men who applied for omnloymcnt during the year were placed-in positions, a number being drafted to the country for farm work. In connection with Territorial camps, the association nrovideil facilities for reading and writing, indoor games, music, etc., at five camps. At" these ■camps a total of 24.570 attendances were registered at the association marquees. Association footabll has always claimed . : .a giyat leal.of attention from members, an.d the association still lays claim to the largest "soccer" dub in Wellington. The work of the National Committee of the Y.M'.C.A. throughout file .Dominica received eulogistic mention, and in this connection testimony is borne to the labours of Mr.- A. jamieson, the national secretary. The sympath- of the association was conveyed to Mr. P. F. Lntcensoh, a member oHhe beard, in the loss lie had sustained in the,death of his , brother, the late Mr. Geo. Laurenson. M.l*. It was decided, to also send, a letter of sympathy to Mr. A. K." Smith, anoiher director, who had the misfortune in he thrown off his horse yesterday, while on dtitv-as it special constable.'

Tiic vacancies mi |_i»n board raiisd bv the resignations of Ajcssrs. J. C. I'oii, K. D.ilrombe Crown, find Jlr, Ma.thicson bare been filled, in two instances by the election of Messrs. T. Forsyth and L. 0. Bruce. Platitude is expressed'to the retiring members for the i»«iiy rears' service voluntarilv rendered to the association. Tin l following were elecicd to" the board of directors in nlace of those reliving bv volition or resigning:—Messrs. ('.'" M. Luke. J. Tlntt. B. Ballard. T. Lirsvlb, W. Kglin, 1';. G. Bruce. V. Lnu.-ensnn, W. iC George, A. K. Smith, ai.d W. BoddoO. At this shge a motion was rr'ricd In adjourn the meeting until the second Abiuhy in Brccmbor, the Sirs;, meet in:; of the now board.