THE RED TRIANGLE.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 24 March 1926, Page 5

THE RED TRIANGLE.

ITS WORK IN TIMARU. The work of the Y.M.C.A. is wellknown, and in various spheres this organisation flourishes to such an extent that it is now accepted as a permanent and necessary part of the. civic structure. The Y.M.C.A. in Timaru, although not an institution of long standing, lias, since its inception, had the interests of Timaru’s young men at heart, and for this reason it is looked upon as ono of the necessities of tho town. The work under the banner of tho Red Triangle has continued to grow solidly throughout the world, until to-day it is more widespread and on a more sound foundation than ever before.

The Rt. Hon. V. S. Srinivasa, a noted Indian, who recently toured New Zealand, says : —“The Y.M.C.A. aims at the uplift of India in all directions —it aims to do tho work of tho building up of the Indian nation. The testimony I hear may seein to be somewhat high-pitched. I know, however, the meaning of tho words I use, and I realise that even more emphatic testimony will only fall short of the deserts of this Association. What good you get from the Y.M.C.A. depends in very considerable measure upon tho amount of sympathy, and upon the amount of moral support that you are prepared to render it. In the measure in which you give, in that measure, nay, in tenfold greater measure, you will reap the benefits of this world-wide, cosmopolitan-spirited Association.” The Timaru Y.M.C.A. lias had its struggles, but by tho perserverance of a, body of well-meaning men, and the hearty eo-operatiou of the citizens of tho town, it has overcome all difficulties, and tho present members arc reaping the harvest, which these men have sown. Tho Red Trianglo first conducted an appeal for war work, and a committee, under the presidency of Mr E. R. Gl’inness, did splendid work during the war in collecting funds for work among tho troops abroad. The outcome of tills app.eal was tho establishment of tho local branch. Offices were set up in Stafford Chambers in 1919, and in February, 1920, premises known as tho Arcade Cafe were leased, and a campaign for funds launched. Such good results were achieved in the Arcade, in the way of a physical culturo class, etc., that a wider scope for the Association’s activities was presented. ’[n 1920 another campaign was started, and as a result of this, the directors purchased the block ot buildings known as the Assembly ftoonis Tl)e then Govornor-Cicneial (Lord Jellicoc) officially opened the building on March 20, 1922. . At tins time a membership campaign . was inaugurated throughout tho Dominion, and The Timaru branch was tho recipient of a shield, having gained the highest percentage increase. Ill© membership then stood at about <j3o. ]ii the same year tho Association purchased a section of land in Nelson Terrace, on which were erected foul asphalt tennis courts, principally by working bees. This proved an excellent addition to the summer programme, and a fine membership wa.> °'Towards the end of 192-1, it .was decided to endeavour to make piovision lor the gvninasium and the oo's department, on the ground floor of the present building. The boys nont and the gymnasium wcio placed ttliero tliov would not interfere with e,1,0r Activities. A local gentleman offered £IOOO towaivls the enny_inß out of this scheme, provided that at lea. t additional £2OOO was raised h tl e YHiblic As an outcome of tins I'us oifer, the vccpiircd money, was I raised, and flic work, winch has bpen I iccentiy completed, is a credit to the

Association. The success of the gym- j nasium, which is fully equipped with first-class apparatus, is assured, judging by the popularity it enjoys at the present time. Tho three classes which have been commenced have a total membership of 120, which is a record, in tho history of the Association. | ! One of tho very important phases ot YM C V life at present is tho boys work. There is a good membership in this department, all of whom take part in tho programme designed for their improvement, both mentally and physical Iv. Tho social. lounge, with cosy chairs, and tho latest papers and periodicals, is just..tho place to drop in for an hour, or to write a letter home, while ample enjoyment is derived nom three first-class billiard .tables, on one of which Clark McConachy put up lus 1000 break. The attendance in the leungo is very .satisfactory, and averages thirty per day. Altogether steady progress has been recorded, and tho Association now has a real place in the lives of the voun„ men who avail themselves of its ties. Tho numbers represent a veiy good percentage of tho availab o youth of the town, and without doubt m fine spirit has permeated the " hol ° membership in the various activities.