Y.M.C.A.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9098, 26 May 1908, Page 5

Y.M.C.A.

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Masterton Y.M.C.A. was held at the rooms, last evening. Mr P. L. Hollings (President) occupied the chair, and there were about 16 members present. The treasurer's report for the past three months showed the receipts over expenditure to be £]'S 17s 3d. The balance sheet showed assets £687, and liabilities £277 Bs, leaving a credit balance of £409 12s. The Chairman congratulated the Association on the result of the finances, and said they certainly had every reason to feel gratified far the satisfactory position of the Association. The Chairman said he fully endorsed the Secretary's remarks regarding the bright future of the Association. The Association had had its difficulties and hard times, but these had now been successfully overcome. He thought that this was chiefly due to the enthusiasm displayed by the members themselves. The establishment of the Bible Class by Mr A. G. Crawford was a fine piece of work, and could not be in better hands. The young men were to be admired for the success they had made of the strangers' tea. The tea had been appreciated by strangers and a great deal of good had been done. The question of engaging a general secretary had occupied the attention of the Board of Managers for »ome time past. They had £165 a year promised, and having got so far he thought they ought to make the mat-: ter of appointing the general secretary an accomplished fact. The Association would certainly forge ahead if they had a general secretury who could devote the whole of his time absolutely and solely to the Y.M.C.A. He would be prepared to undertake to secure the balance required for the salary of the general secretary. (Applause). The small amount required should not stand in the way of the Association, and it was for the members to recommend the management to engage the services of a general secretary. The Rev. A. T. Thompson said it was pleasing to note the progress of the Association. The forward movement during the past few months was the result of action on the part of the members, and this was as it should be. They were on the verge of a new and successful movement with the appointment of a general secretary. When they had a secretary established who could devote the whole of his time to the association, the membership w«uild increase and the Y.M.C.A. would make its influence felt. The report and balance sheet were adopted. The following officers were elected for the ensuing year: —President (Mr P. L. Holhngs); Vico - Presidents, Messrs C. E. Daniell, Jas. Elliott, H..T. Wood, O. Hendrv, Jas. Hunter, A. Donald, and the Revs. Thoirpson, Buttle and Watson; Hon. Secretary, Mr A. E. Rees; Hon. Treasurer, Mr D. Hebenton; Board of Management, Messrs P. L. Hollings, C. E. Daniell, H. T. Wood, A. Hendry, J. Hunter, A. G. Crawford, J. B. Rue and Revs. Thompson ar.d .Buttle. Mo A. Hendry moved that the subscriptions for members over 21 years of'age be reduced from 20s to lOe, and 15s instpad of 10s for thosa under the age of 21. Mr J. B. Rue moved an amendment that the subscription be 153 for those over the age of 21 years and 10a under that age. The motion was eventually carried* On the motion of the Rev. Thompson it was decided that it be a recommendation to the Boatd of Mann agers to appoint a general secretary as early as possible. On the motion of Mr C. F. Redman it was decided to keep a suggestion book for members to enter suggestions desired to be brought bef jre the Board of Managers. A committee comprising the chairman and secretary of each department of the Association was appointed. Messrs O. Pragnell and J. B. Rue were appointed auditors for the ensuing year.