WORK FOR YOUTH

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20501, 18 May 1938, Page 10

WORK FOR YOUTH

Y.M.C.A.-Y.W.C.A. YEAR BURDEN OF DEBT REMOVED FINANCIAL STABILITY ASSURED "The year under review will be remembered as one of the mile-posts in the history of the Hamilton association." says the report of the Y.M.C.A.Y.W.C.A., to he presented at the annual meeting this evening. "Since its inception the association has had a chequered career, according to the degree of difficulty experienced in maintaining the finances at a reasonable level," it adds. “Until the beginning of the year the financial burden of the association was so creat as almost completely to divorce the actual work done from the constitutional functions of the Y.M.C.A.-Y.W.C.A. It became very i apparent-at the end of the last financial year, and the beginning of the year under review, unless some huge financial effort were made to free the association of debt, the progressive efforts of the board and staff in the interests of the community would be negligible. The Board of Directors, with the energy of Mr D. V. Bryant, launched a community-wide appeal, which met with a magnificent response. Not only were the debts of the association cleared, but through a sustaining membership drive the future stability of the finances was reasonably assured. "As a result of the campaign the work of the associations has been able to expand and broaden into something approaching what its work should be, and in the coming year should see the proper functioning of the Young Men's and Young Women’s Christian Associations in co-operatively working towards their objective as a .Christian educational movement. As the time and energy of the staff were, during the year, directed towards the reaching of the principal objective It will be appreciated that the programme of the associations was not as forceful and purposeful as it might otherwise have been. However, in spite of setbacks, the staff continued to give a most commendable service to the young men and women of the town. "The directors of the association, under the presidency of Mr F. Findlay, have rendered invaluable service to the movement and the community. It is particularly gratifying to them to see the debt removed. Change of Staff "With the exception of Mr L. Cross, director of physical education, there has been a complete change of staff in the course of the year. Mr F. E. S. Long left Hamilton in January in order to take over his new position as general secretary of the Christchurch Y.M.C.A., and Miss M. Saunders, Y.W.C.A. secretary, resigned her position in February to assume her duties as general secretary of Palmerston North Y.W.C.A. Miss Margaret Mawson, who has had a wide experience of Y.W.C.A. work, both in New Zeaand and overseas, was appointed Y.W.C.A. secretary in February, 1938, and Mr J. H. Ledgerwood, general secretary, began his duties in March, 1938. Mr E. W. Foulds was appointed custodian in July." Concerning gymnasium and physical training the report states that Mr L. Cross instructed approximately 1000 persons each week in some form of physical education. The efficiency of the work and the enthusiasm of the participants had been such that in October they were able to stage a display before three capacity houses. The Y.M.C.A. Swimming Club had again proved a success and maintained a high standard of training throughout the season. "Since its inception three years ago the Junior Women’s Club has grown steadily, its membership increasing each year,” continued the report. "The Drama Circle met fortnightly during the year, and a bridge-learners’ class met regularly for some time. A similar programme had been followed by the Girl Citizens and Cltizens-in-Training Club, while the Business Girls’ Lyceum had also had a successful year.