POPULAR Y.M.C.A. SECRETARY

Shannon News, 9 March 1923, Page 3

POPULAR Y.M.C.A. SECRETARY

MR WAIN FAREWELLED. A “send-off” social was accorded Mr and Mrs Wain at Arapeti on'Tuesday evening. Headed by the Union officials, the whole camp community joined in this expression of their appreciation of the services rendered to them "by Mr Wain. Some ten months ago Mr Wain took charge of the Y.M.C.A. recreation hut here, and under his regime many improvements have been made. The building has been transformed into a comfortable social and reading room, with supper buffet and stage and scenery, whilst the billiard table has been housed in a separate room at the rear. Reading and writing and gymnasium facilities have been provided, and a new picture machine, installed. The whole scheme has been conducted on a homely community basis, and everyone has benefited from Mr Wain’s labours. The Arapeti Schol, which is held in the end of'the Y.M.C.A. hut, was established as a result of the continued efforts and agitations of Mr Wain for. this children’s necessity. The floor was in excellent order, and the music was also good. A tiptop supper was served, as well as fruit at intervals.

After supper, Assistant-Engineer Hurrell, on behalf of the whole community, made a neat speech of appreciation by all of the work put in by Mr Wain during his sojourn here, and wished them both every success in their new appointment. Mr Wain suitably replied on behalf of Mrs Wain and himselt and asked for the same hearty co-operation for his successor in office here.

Mr Wain is taking up the general secretaryship of the Y.M.C.A. at Wairoa (Hawke’s Bay), with the oversight of the industrial work at Waikaremoana and Waikopoku P.W.D. camps.