Y.M.C.A.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9556, 31 July 1909, Page 5

Y.M.C.A.

A most eno>able function was h Id last night at the Arcadia Tea Rooms, when the President of the Y.M.C.A. (Mr P. L. Holiings) entertained the members comprising the membership canvassing campaign, a} a dinner. Full justice was done to the excellent repast provided. The President, in a few well chosen remarks, congratulated the members on the enthusiasm shown in the campaign for new members. The respect ive leaders had reported that they had secured 74 members already as a resu.lt of thvir canvass, thus proving that the young men" of the town* were now fully alive to the advantage to be gained by joining the Association, and it was his earnest desire that the Association should become a real live up-to-da*e social institution. He then called upon the leader of the teams to report on their efforts to secure new members.

Mr Jarrett (in the unavoidable absence of Mr Ibbetaon, captain of the Red team), intimated that the result of the canvass would mean a substantial development in every branch of the Association.

Mr L. H., Lewis, captain of the Blue team, endorsed the previous speaker's remarks and said ha thought that the result of the canvass would mean quite 400 new members. He reported that his team had not met with one refusal. He i said that a lot of misapprehension as to the scope and privileges in connection with the Association were being removed as a resuit of the can- ' vass. He also reported that they had secured several members from the Coast and the Lower Valley, and he quite endorsed the remarks of the President that before long the Y.M.C.A rooms would be recognised as one of the leading social clubs in the district. Two important branches of the Association, viz., the physical culture and the debating classes had already shown a marked improvement.

After several other speakers had referred to the good work the Association was doing, and their prospects fur new members, a hearty vote of thanks was proposed by Mr W. Gillespie, to the President for the energetic interest he bad always shown towards any movement in connection with the well-being of the town, more especially as regarded the local Y.M.C.A. movement. The motion was carried by acclamation.