Y.M.C.A.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 2919, 15 September 1908, Page 6

Y.M.C.A.

WELCOME TO MR R. BURGESS. There was an attendance of over one hundred at the social hall of the Y.M.C.A. last night to welcome Mr Robert Burgess, who has been appointed General Secretary of the Association. The meeting through out was very enthusiastic andthor- f oughly renrescntative of the town and district. During the day Mr Burgess received many congratulatory I telegrams wishing- him every success in his work amongst the young men of Masterton. The President of the Association, Mr P. L. Hollings, presided over the gathering, and expressed his pleasure at the splendid attendance of young men to welcome Mr Burgess. Mr Hollings traced the growth of the Association from the year of its inception (1905), when tney first held their meetings in a small room at the rear of the Foresters' Hall. It had been freely prophesised then that the movement would "fizzle out" in six months. He believed in the Y.M.C.A.' then, and the present gathering showed the town and district that the. Association was not going to "fizzle out ' by any means. It had justified its existence and was now generously supported not only by the various Churches but by the leading business men of the community. The speaker urged the members of the Association to give every support to their new Secretary, who, he believed, was going to lead them to greater progresi and usefulness in the work amongst young men. He cordially welcomed Mr Burgess to the town, snd wished him every success in the great work that the Young Men's Christian Association was famed for the world overbuilding up youngmanhood and true citizenship. Congratulatory speeches were also made by the Revs. A. T. Thompson, J. N. Buttle, H. Watson, A. Hodge and Messrs A. Hendry,»J. McGregor, sen., and C. E. Daniell. On rising to reply Mr Burgesa was greeted with rounds of applause. He thanked the Association for the very hearty and kindly welcome that had been accorded to him. He believed there were great possibilities for the work of the Association in Masterton, and in order to carry on the work effectively he must have the individual help and support of every member. In conclusion he said that he greatly appreciated the honour they had conferred upon him by appointing him General Secretary. During the evening a quartette was contributed by Messrs J. Gray, J. Haye, J. Gordon and R.J. Young, and solos by Miss'C. Joy and Mr Xoung, while a violin solo was nicely rendered by Mr J. Goddard. Several gramophone items were given by Mr Greenwood. Supper was provided by the Ladies' Auxiliary, to whom three hearty cheers were accorded for the assistance they had rendered in making the function such a success.