Y.M.C.A.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10227, 2 May 1911, Page 3

Y.M.C.A.

SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT

Following is the report of last year's work presented to the annuaj meeting fcf the Master ton Young Men's Christian Asocsiation last night:—

March 31st, 1911, completes the sixth and most famous year "df this Association's work, judging from the standpoint of £s. d. This judgment, however, needs to be qualified along certain lines, for, paradoxical though it may seem, to be, we celebrate the most famous year financially (for we have come out strong along the path of extension), yet we unfortunately have to bewail the fact that this year. from tiie general standpoint is far from being the best. We are proud and thankful that, by the grace of God, and that in spite of much opposition, our doors have not only been kept open, but have been thrown wider open. Our work has been broadened, unfortunately, perhaps, and solely along the line of least resis-

tance, but yet withall, broadened. Many storms have been weathered. We have crossed the bar of unpopularity. We are at least awaking the public conscience to a realisation of oik - need and purpose. Our aims are well known, though much misinterI preted. We hope and believe that we are now known as co-operators and not competitors with the churches; our personnel and property has been much used by them, and we trust that these cordial relationships will continue and grow. To view the various departments of work is disappointing, because so many of the. departments have not been working; certainly not working as they might have done and should have done. i

MEMBERSHIP.—We have to report* a very slight increase of membership, the figures being as follows, compared with last year (last year's figures being given first in each instance): —Junior members, 84, this year 89; associate members, 68 and 63; full members, 76 and 70; honorary members, 20 and 29; totals, last year 248; this year, 251. Although we added 32 to our roll, taking the enrolment up to 280, 29 names were removed, k leaving our present membership at 251, and showing a net increase of 3. When it is considered that a large number who joined the Association during the previous year's cam- | aign. : failed to renew, and who in some ' ses never really joined as tnembers, t merely gave their ss, 10s or 21s > donation, our keeping of this high *is very creditable. UnforlunateP the 251 meinlers only 166 are : up, the great trouble with

. ,ar members being that they fail to realise the importance! of meeting dues when due, and it is no uncommon Occurrence to find a member who, two years in arrears, and after many applications to pay up, will turn round and inform his secretary that he resigned two years ago, or that he has never used the rooms and that he did not see the force of paying up for what he has not received, oti-i g0 nri FINANCIAL.—Hie iir>ance*s aro dealt, with in the balance sheet, but reference must be made here to the stride taken in the matter of extension. By a long, inesome, and somewhat vigorous campaign/ ,£7<5D bay been gathered and spent, maiaiy upon our gymnasium, which is of a firstclass type. The scheme of extension is not yet complete, and needs persistent pains and enthusiastic effort to make progress possible end tu make amends as per bank balance sheet. Through tins-effort £SQ of the debt has been wiped out, but no provkii i: has' been made f6r : the erection of 'he billiard table, the Committee wisely determining to delay this n>attivr till a better, financial state of tilings should exist, although it miglii be. urged', (apart from all jther considerations) that the installation of this game would considerably aid to our income. RELIGIOUS WORK. —We ire giad I to report an increase in the attend- ' ances at our strangers' tea during tho 1 year. The sustained interest right to I the holiday break was most pleasing, and tlvis Association is 'under a deep obligation to the ladies- of tho Masterton and Kuripum Shurches, and to the Ladies' Auxiliary. But for thenhelp, our work would have been al-1 niost impossible, and many a stranger I would not have had the good time ! that so many declare they have had.. Our Sol way Home service became very popular, many people attending besides those in residence, making quite 1 a large congregation fortnight by fortnight. The meeting has served a i very usefukpurpose in two, ways, first by providing a,Sunday meeting place | at that end of the town, and secondly j % - the of jyo.ung • preachers..' .Many .first attemptsTiave been, wonderfully and fearfully made at Solway, and it is creditable to note thate many of them, some of them our own members, are offering for the greater work of preaching the Gospel. Mr Frank de Lisle has gone to the Adelaide Congregational College for training. Mr Lester Minifie has passed on full plan by examination as a Methodist local preacher, and is still studying, whilst .another member, Mr J. Andrews, has commenced his studies, and is on trial. There are besides many other members who are shy embryos yet, who. take prominent part, whilst, of we continue to get the help of the more experienced seniors from time to time. During last winter a Boys' Bible Class was commenced and did well for a while, but there the story has ite ending. O wing- to the difficulty of getting the Scout ,-work arid kept" going, the clause haxj to- A Personal Workers' Class fared what.better, and mahy useful evenings

werespent studying Trumbull's book, "Taking Men Alive." '- - ' EDUCATIONAL WORK.—Wo are deeply thankful for the continued assistance of some of our members, who supply quite tho largest number and the best of our magazines month by month and week by week. It is refreshing to note the increased attention to rending. Tho reading room is used more than ever. A busy Chess Club has done valuable service in creating quite a demand for this time honoured game. Many of our younger mombcrs have taken up this game, which has been termed the "old fogev.s' pastime." Several matcher; telephonic, telegraphic, and otherwise were played, and some creditable performances are on record. A shorthand class, under the direction of Mr J. B. Rue, was well attended, and

a small advertising class conducted by the General Secretary also undertaken. The most important class, however, was that under the tuition of Mr J. T. M. Hornsby, the Elocution Class or the Shakespearian Club. This gathered together a membership of between -20 and 30 members, and only the rapid approach of tlio end of the season prevented the rendering of the studied piece, "Hamlet;"

THE BOYS' DEPARTMENT.—A start was made last winter to get the boys together, and the effort was much appreciated by them. The system of supervision was npt a success, because it was not properly carried out, a prevalent feature with our failures. We have a leader, but unfortunately, Mr 1). B. Thomson, our Department Secretary, ihas tor some time been ill, and this, with other circumstances, has prevented a start for this season. The Department has certainly been quiet, although the boys can hardly come under that description. Our boys' room is not the attractive and comfortable room it ought to be, and something should be done quickly to give the boys their own . reading room, better games, and what is more, a library of their very own, and wrh all the above all supervision and over - sight.

The Scout Work lias dripped entirely owing to the inability f the District "Committee to get a suitable young, man as Scoutmaster. Your Secretary received a Commission as Scoutmaster some time ago, and although many happy, pleasant and instructive afternoons were spent wit 1 ' the boys, his lack of time prevchis going on with the work.

The Physical department suffered last year owing £o having no suitable room. A small class for men and a large class for boys was held, but the work was too cramped to be sucessful. both classes being under Mr Jarrett.

The Tenia-. iJiuu was greatly strengthened by the inclusion of new players, . a good season from the standpoint of weather, and the fact that the Wellington Provincial Championships were held in Mastcrton, someon our oourts. It was satisfying to note that two of our members, Mr W. Hendry and Mr D. Hebenton came out victors in the gent's doubles handicap. We congratulate these two flannelled fighters. sPhe Life Saving Class started strong, and we are thankful to note also finished strong. TjVo sections got to work, the ladies, easily leaving the men behind, and after consistent work in classroom. and bath a very suc- | cessful examination was the culmina- ! ting point, all but one of the seven- ! teen pupils being successful ;in the gradee entered or, that one taking a lower grade certificate. Twenty-seven awards were won, as compared with but seven awards in the largest club in the City of Wellington, and that even under tHe spell of the famous world chief, Mr William Henry. Three pupils distinguished themselves by taking the Award of Merit, the highest in the Australasian Colonies. One of the successful pupils was a girl of fifteen years, Miss Annie O'Leary, the youngest girjl to take (that, award, which is very difficult. We also have in the class the youngest certificate holder in the Dominion., Margaret Peters, aged eight years, and also the youngest Proficiency certificate holder in the Dominion, Miss Ella O'Leary, aged twelve, while Eiola Andrews, a few weeks older, also won the same award. The examiner, Mr Somerville, of Wellington, complimented the class upon the practical work, the water work, and made many other pleasant remarks. Dr. Prior gave the Society's lecture, and interested him»>ulf givacly in the work and welfare of the class.