THE Y.M.C.A.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 19 July 1939, Page 4

THE Y.M.C.A.

HOW IT WAS ESTABLISHED. A SMALL BEGINNING. Mr D. E. Parton, of Christchurch, and a former resident of Masterton, who was a guest at the meeting of the Masterton Optimist Club last night, gave members a very interesting account of how the Y.M.C.A. came to be established in Masterton many years ago. A young man named Norman Marshall, who was interested in the welfare of young men. inserted an advertisement in the local papers calling a meeting of those interested in the formation of a Y.M.C.A. in Masterton. On that particular night there were a number of other attractions on and only three persons arrived at the appointed place of meeting—Mr Norman Marshall (who died some years ago, and who was a photographer), Mr A. D. Low and the speaker. They decided to adjourn to the office where Mr Low was then employed but other business causing the use of that office they went into premises at the back of the building and sitting on sacks of oats and a box brought into existence the local Y.M.C.A. Mr Parton stated that from this meeting came an organisation which had performed excellent service to the community. Later another meeting was called and was attended by a larger number of people. At this gathering the late Mi' P. L. Rollings was elected their chief officer.