MRS. M. A. WILLIAMS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 218, 3 June 1918, Page 3

MRS. M. A. WILLIAMS

TESTIMONIAL FROM Y.M.CU. A very pleasing ceremony took place on Saturday, when Aire. Al. A. Williams, of Wellington, was waited upon at her residence, d? Wellington Terrace, by representatives of Uie board of directors cf the Y.M.C.A., and presented with iao board's congratulations on her having attained her 89th birthday.. The iis&otation consisted of ,ur. C. M. Lake, president of the board of directors, and iour ex-presidents, tho Hon. J. U. AY. Aitkon, M.L.C., and Messrs. W. Allan, M. W. Kersley, and J. Uott. Mr. Luke expressed the appreciation of the directors of the Y.M.C.A. for the great work Mrs. "Williams had flone on behalf of that institution, and the individual members of the board also availed themselves of the opportunity of conveying their personal congratulations to Mrs. Willinms.

The following testimonial, typed on special paper and tastefully enclosed in a suitable cover, bearing Mrs. Williams's monogram in gold lettering, and <bounct together with, scarlet, gold, and black ribbon—the Y.M.C.A. colours—was hanaed to Mrs. Williams by Mr. Luke:— "Dear Mrs. Williams-Oil behalf of the board of directors of the Wellington Young Men's Christian Association, wo whose signatures are attached to this letter (viz., all the members at present in town and who have had an opportunity to sign same), on this first day of June, 1918, have great, pleasure in thus conveying their heartfelt congratuations to you on attaining your eighty-ninth birthday. Some members of the present board of directors have enjoyed the privilege of knowing you as a friend for many years; but each and all desiro to assure you that you hold a very warm place in their hoarts and esteem your friendship very highly. They feel they cannot adequately express in .words their gratitude aiid appreciation for all you have done for the Y.M.C.A. of this city—not alone by your -wise counsel and great munificence, whereby the erection of tho present fine association buildings on the very valuable freehold site given iby you for that purpose was made possible—but also for the many other practical evidences of your continued interest therein, and concern for the comfort anil welfare of young men, and further great liberality from time to time towards meeting the heavy expenses in connection with ,tho institution, and effective maintenance thereof. "They are also aware of some, at least, of your many other activities and benefactions for the welfare of those around you; included therein being the gift of freehold site and erection thereon of the specially-designed Mission to Seamen Memorial Institute building, together with the, splendid equipment thereof, entirely at! your own expense, as well as so largely contributing to the cost of its upkeep and management. They thank God that He has not only blessed you with the means, but also with the desire to do so much—not alone for institutions such as those referred to—but also in so many other ways help those in need of assistance.

"That you may long he spared amongst us, and be given health and strength to continue the work which has benefited by so large a share of your time and thought, and for matiy years afforded you much happiness; and, above all, that you may ever have God's richest blessing resting upon you, and very fully realise His sustaining and keeping power with you at all times, is the earnest wish and prayer of yours sincerely (Sgd.) C. M. Luke (president), J. G. W. Aitken, 11. W. Kersley, W. Allan, J. Ilott, and W. H. George (ex-presidents), C. S. Falconer, W. Greig, Walter E'glin, Richard Brown, Henry C. South, F. H. Mather, W. C. Badden, S.\ C. Barron, F. •F. Laurenson, John Can'ghley, Robert Johnson, Thos. Forsyth, Henry S. Hart, William Campbell,. A. P. Smith, and J. B. Finlay (members of the board of directors)." The name of the late Mr. E. Balconibe Brown, the association's third president, also appeared in the list of ex-presidents. Accompanying the letter wn.s also a bouquet of beautiful flowers, very artistically arranged. Mrs. Williams, in briefly returning thanks, said she heartily appreciated the kindly thought on the part, of the members of the board in thus bearing her in mind.