Y.M.C.A.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9562, 7 August 1909, Page 5

Y.M.C.A.

NEW BUILDING SCHEME. For some time past much public sympathy has been aroused concerning the local Association —its. needs and its possibilities. On Monday night last the Board of Management met, and amongst other business deceived the report of the Ex tin:to.i Committee. This committee, after considering the occupation of certain hotel property and other schemes, came to the conclusion that to build on the present site was the most practical scheme. The commitle: have in this scheme recommended plans which wili provide an up to date building. On the round floor the rooms will remain almost as at present, with provision for a comfortable smoke and games room, a

reading room, Board room, and office. and a large room for the Boys' Department. There will also rcmai i the dark room for the photoraphically inclined, the bath room, and built at the back will be a large gymnasium, with complete plant. Upstairs will be provided a large meeting room and a comfortable billiard room with two tables. With the present overdraft the scheme will entail an expenditure of £1,300 or £1.400, and it is at this point that all such schemes hang. Where to raise this large amount of course is a serious matter, but to really cater for the welfare of Masterton's men this amount must be provided. At present the work is hampered, and stands in its own way, and if larger premises were entered the work would go on, and support from the rank and file would be of a substantial nature. The Association at present must be allowed to progress, or entirely fail in its ohject, and the committee are waiting to know how far. the recent outburst of sympathy for the Y.M.C.A. will go. Two years ago Dunedin raised £15,000 in a fortnight for its Y.M.C.A. Auckland and Christchurch raised similar amounts, and at Invercargili in u fortnight £3,500.' So that £1,400 to the Masterton district should be found without much delay.