THE Y.M.C.A.
(To she Editor.) Sir,—Many iii and around Masterton will agree with the statements expressed in your editorial note of yesterday morning that "the decision of the board of managers of the Y.M.C.A. to take steps to wind; up the affairs of the institution will be received with very general regret." As some of the statements you make are likely to cause a wrong impression, would you kindly publish this letter? The last year's balance-sheet of March 31st, 1913, shows the assets of the Y.M.C.A., to be: Y.M.C.A. rooms £550, gymnasium £4OO, furniture £BO, gymnasium fittirigs and outfit £BO, total £lllß. Bank overdraft, £4BO 12s Id; credit balance, £623 7s lid. Now, there was nothing very alarming in the position six months ago to cause the pessimistic spirit which some of the members of the board of management have shown. The bank overdraft at the present time stands at about £430, or nearly £SO better than six months ago. The rooms are greatly appreciated by i visitors to our town, as a persual of the visitors' book will show. The reading-room is patronised well by members and friends, of r ten during the day, and to a larger extent at night. The attendance at the service and tea on Sunday averages for six months at thirty, the addresses being bright, practical, and helpful to young men of any denomination, and as one who attends the rooms oftener than any other member of the board, the secretary excepted, I cannot see anything to be seriously alarmed about, except that the gymnasium is not a paying concern. And the £3O per year which we have to pay as interest on overdraft is the result of the building of the gymnasium. Now, the reason 1 advocate parting with the gymnasium is the fact of it ;not paying, and not not likely to pay as a gymnasium in the future, unless used for other purposes such as a skating rink for members and friends which I have recommended on more than oilo occasion. The fact of there being appointed by the Government a physical instructor at a salary of £6OO a year, together with many physical culture experts under him, organising and coaching all teachers in our public schools, is enough to convince the thoughtful that with the exception of large cities gymnasiums are a thing of the past as useful paying concerns, especially so since compulsory military training has conle into force. I still think that the local branch of the Y.M.C.A. can, and'will, carry on the good work it has been doing, arid would urge all members and friends to wake up and keep the doors open.— I am, etc., R. SUTHERLAND.
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Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 16 October 1913, Page 7
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451THE Y.M.C.A. Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 16 October 1913, Page 7
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