Y.M.C.A. SERVICE

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 127, 22 February 1921, Page 9

Y.M.C.A. SERVICE

IN HOSPITAL AND THAINING CAMP t WORK FOR RETURNED AND FUTURE SOLDIERS ' The military sub-committee of the National Committee of tho Y.M.C.A. held its monthly meeting on Friday last, when matters concerning the Y.M.C.A. •ervieo to the soldiers of the past war and the trainees in the training camps were discussed. The Y.M.C.A. is at work'serving the returned soldier at the following hospitals: —Kamo Sanatorium, North Auckland; King George Hospital. Rotorua, Pukeora Sanatorium, Waipukurau; Trentham Military Hospital, Wellington; Cashmere Hills Military Sanatorium. Christchurch; Queen Mary Hospital, Hamner Springs. At each of these centres a full programme of recreational facilities and entertainment is provided, and a kinema show is run b„, the Y.M.C.A., varying from five changes of programme per week at Trentham to two changes at some of the other centres. In addition to the above, equipment ‘for games and recreation is provided at the following agricultural training farms: —Weraroa Training Farm, Levin; Repatriation Farm, Tauherenikau; Avon head Farm, Christchurch; Moa Seed Farm, Central Otago. During the past two months, training camps for Senior Cadets and Territorials have been held at Narrow Neck Camp, Auckland, Trentham Camp, Wellington, and Burnham Camp, Christchurch. At •11 of these camps special facilities lor entertainment and recreation have been provided by the Y.M.C.A. Two special secretaries hare been detailed for this work, one in Auckland, and one in Trentharn, the work in Christchurch having been done by a member of the staff of the Christchurch Y.M.C.A. T/lis work is financed separately from the work done in hospitals, and is a charge mi ordinary Y.M.C.A. funds, and not the war funds. The Senior Cadets and Territorials have been very appreciative of the services rendered to them by the Y.M.C.A. One Auckland boy, writing to the Y.M.C.A. secretary at Narrow Neck, expressed himself in the following terms-.— "I will take this chance of saying that I have never before enjoyed any military camp as I did this one, and the reason quite plainly is the Y.M.C.A. Only for you and the entertainments and facilities you gave us, all the boys quite agreed that camp would have been dead. Anyhow, I am hoping to come over and see you again as soon as I can. Thanking you for the good time. . . .” The military authorities have also expressed their appreciation of what the Y.M.C.A. has been able to do for the boys' in camp. The adjutant of G.H.Q. School, Trentham Military Camp, writes in the following terms: —"Our first voluntary course for Territorials and Senior Cadets has just concluded, and, on behalf of the commandant, I want to write and tell you how very much your work for them has been appreciated. The n.c.o.’s left camp with only the most pleasant recollections of their fourteen days here, and their conduct, as you know, has been excellent. The commandant feels sure that we will have the same assistance from you in all future courses. Your efforts have contributed in a great measure to the success of the course, . . .” The staff officer of the Post nnd Telegraph Engineer Corps, which has just concluded an instructional course at Trcnthnn,, writes also in an appreciative strain. After enclosing a donation towards the Y.M.C.A. work, he states —"That it.was the unanimous wish of the committee, elected to act for the Post and Telegraph Engineer Corps "camp dance,” that some recognition be made of your kindness and help on that occasion, which enabled the function to pass off so successfully and enjoyably. On behalf of the corps, I wish your association every success. ...”