Second Edition

Horowhenua Chronicle, 26 February 1913, Page 3

Second Edition

Fruit Banquet. *

LIiYIN YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTJAN ASSOCIATION. The whole the the floor of the Century Hall was arranged with tables, last evening, plentifully spread with the good things of life and an abundance of fruit, and. beautifully decorated.

The ladies' auxiliary is to be complimented on tho splendid success of the catering arrangements.

In the absence of Mr Jas. Prouso (President of the Association), who was called away to Wellington, the chair was taken by Mr T. G. Vincent. An apology was also received from Mr J). C. Mackenzie. Tho chairman proposed tho toast of "Tin. King," and the audience sang n verse of the National Anthem.

Major G. M. Bnrlinson, in giving the toast of "Our Dominion." spoke of the progress of New Zealand, now, from the rough pioneering days. New Zealand had advanced, in half n century, to a highly civilised dominion, with every facility for travel, education, etc. Our pioneers wore men and- women of strong character, and young New Zealand was fortunate in having such ancestors. He spoke- of the groat advancement in alleviating the hardships that once existed. There was now an opportunity for everyone to reach the top. The element which characterised trie progress of New Zealand was that striving after righteousness that was prominent among the pioneers. We, in our time, must use our every effort to uplift the human race.

I'eplying to tho toast of "Our Dominion.'' Mr H. H. Cork spoke of the facility of building character in New Zealand. He spoke of the freo education; the primary schools were free and open to all. The boy who was willing to study could, with the facilities at his command, rise to almost any position in our dominion. The cost of this free education was, of course, a heavy one, but was one that should be borne ungrudingly. There, were times when our national debt seemed almost overwhelming; but we must remember that we were citizens of a well-to-do country. Why. the Post Office put over 20 million pounds through their hands last year. He trusted the dominion would have continued prosperity and that our citizens would do their duty as units of a great country.

The audience were next favoured with a song by the Rev. A. C. Randerson (j"0ld Bargee") which was heartily applauded.

in proposing the toast of ''The Association Movement." Mr Vincent spoko of the world-wide influence of the Y.M.C.A. of to-day. Each country, he said, had its own peculiar methods of administration and its own difficulties to face. We had. in .Yew Zealand, our Association troubles, but he l'lelievcd that under the guidance of Mr Jameson, the National Secretary of New Zealand, the New Zealand Associations would make good. Wo were much indehted to Mr E. R. Peacock, for his great sacrifice in giving his time (that of a busy business man) to found the national work in New Zealand. Mr Jameson's work in Levin had given the members heart to continue the purposes for which the \ssedation was formed.

Mi- A. Jamieson. M.A.. Organising Secretary, was received with prolonged applause. He laughingly stated his fear of being, looked upon as a raider of offices and business premises, but the smiling faces before him showed that the "raided" were not holding the offence agaittst him. The success of the membership campaign had boon past all expectations ; the hundred had not only heen reached, hut far outdistanced. The total results of the teams were: Blue to. Green 43. Red 39, ma.king a grand total of 127 now members He considered that if yonng men were.brought witlr the precincts of the Y.M.C.A. tho time -was. well spent. But we were not content with that; we aim at a throe-sided excellence (the triangle which is tho emblem of the movement) Spirit, Mind and Body. Ho congratulated Mr Hanna on his appointment ? ? physical instructor to the Auckland Y.M.C.A. There'he would hare great opportunities in training and assisting to build up tho character and body of the hundreds of boys that go through such on association. Mr Broom, too, had sacrificed much time to the training of the lads of f'ovin, and he (tho speaker) hoped that ho would 'continue his great work. He spoke of tho grand work of Mr Gibson with tho Boys' Department. Noticeable in the Lovin Association was the friendship among members. He asked tho new mem" hers to group round the older fellows and support them to the Tjest of their ability, and each member has a personal duty to perform ; look our for your circle of work; seek out friendship. Wherein young men need brotherhood, assistance, : >r friendship, there is thero room for the Young Men's Christian Association. A true inember will be interested in everything that is for the benefit of his fellows. He hoped that the future might hold groat success for tho Lovin Association and that from time to time he may hear encouraging reports of its work in tho district. Mr D. W. Matheson sang "Tho Carnival," and was loudly applauded.

Tho toast of "Our Town" was given by Mr C. W. Blonkhorn. He remarked that owing to the offort of listening to speakers and at the same time thinking of something to say on his own account he had not felt comfortable (laughter). He briefly sketched the advance made in Levin in the way of building—from cottage to villa—and he trusted the advance would continue. If there was one Now fa trie tTmti to aelL. Arseaivta lead fov- fruit-spraying. I jiiie Swifts in l!b., 21b., and 101b. i&rs. Call in and get quotations for vv quantities up to lOOlh. kegs. T.C. R«"<ningtc|B, .Ghemiat Ewiia.

man who "could" givo information as to tho advance and prosperity of tho town it was his worship the Mayor, with whoso name the toast was coupled.

Mr B. R. Gardener, in replying, congratulated the Levin Y.M.C.A. on its great success in the past, and especially upon its latest campaign. By showing fraternal feeling and of l'oring the hand of friendship much could be done to help along tho other man. Ho briefly sketched Levin's municipal progress; how some very few years back it became a borough and now it had splendid services of gas and high-pressure water, together with up-to-date baths and library. This year the council had not many public works to carry out. but to the cry "Levin is done" ho replied that there was much that could he done towards the development of the town. He 'believed it was the duty of every resident of Levin and district to help the movement for bettering the "harbour conditions at Fox ton, which was Levin's natural port. In the next few months there would bo several hundreds of acres of land thrown open for selection between Ohau and Foxton, and the .settling of this must help the district. The division of the district in connecton with the Hospital Hoard was another matter to be attended to hy Levin; these wove some of the works still to oo carried out. Mr Howard Andrew sang Judo's '•Mighty Lee])" very acceptably, alter which the toast of- "The Ladies' Auxiliary" was proposed by "?\Dr F. R. Parker. Mr Parker said this was the most popular toast of tho evening. >a statement that was received with applause. Tangible evidence to this effect was before them that evening. Many of those present could remember other sconce like this one at which the ladles had proved their regard for the Levin Association. "Whenever called upon to assist any project which the young moi) had in banc? they did ;■'■ cheerfully and willingly.

Mrs Gardener, replying on behalf of the president (M.rsc W. M. Clark) said the auxiliary was commenced in 1009. under the presidency of Mrs Palk. There were many able workers remaining, although Mrs Palk, Mrs A reus and others who oneo were in their ranks were now away from this district. In a reference to the Wellington Y.M.C.A.. she said that it afforded an admirable home for young men and one whore proper supervision was exercisod.

Tho toast of "The Prows" was giv--011 by the Rev. A. ('. Hnndcifsoii. who said the press was ia mighty ;n----slrumont in the world. Ho quoted Emerson on The London Times: "there was no force more' feared, felt, or obeyed than the press." Mr Henderson went on to say the Levin Association was greatly indebted to the local press. He was pleased to say there was no lending of its columns to attack that which wins good ; if it could not help it left alone. There was a note of authority about the local press: the local press just said "it was so." and that was the last word (laughter).

In replying. Mr W. H. Herd said he did not know why lie had been willed up to aeply. lie was not an editor, not a reporter, not a proprietor: just merely a humble subscriber; he supposed he had been "pressed" into tlie situation! So far as he was concerned for anything lie had to do with the press which was nothing (laughter)—he thanked them for their goo'tl -wishes. Mr Yarney, general .secretary ct the Wellington Association, in a short address, impressed upon his hearers that Y.M.C.A. Association should he centres of living power; the dynamos that would send, out their forces to the various haunts of men. Their power lay in the life ■and cause of Jesus Christ. this aos'iEtssm. The tables weie superintended as follows:— Stage table.—Mrs Puanderson, Mrt It. Protise and Mrs Remington. No. I.—Mrs Herd Miss Herd .uvJ Miss Whitaker. No. 2.—Mrs and Miss Lancaster and Mrs Lodge. •No. _ 3.—Mrs Anstice, Mrs C. K. Wilson and Mrs Hislop. No. -1.-Mrs Howell, Mks M. Prouse, Mrs Drysdale and Mks Itansoni. No. s.—Mrs Mclntyre and Mrs Marriott. No. 6.-Mrs Ba swell and Mrs Porteous. No. 7.—Mrs Pink, Mrs Gibson an-.! Miss M. Andrews. Nearly all. the fruit war* collected by the president (Mrs W. M. Clark) and the secretary (Mrs H. Walkor). They wish to especially thank all, those wlio gave so generously. Major Burlinson gave the sandwiches, which wcro much appreciated. Mrs S. Parsons had charge of the lea room, and carried out her dntjch. assisted hy Mrs Goldsmith, in her usual cnpahlo manner. A lady visitor remarked on the dainty decor ations of tho various tables, and the efficient service.