Y.M.C.A.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVI, Issue 225, 20 September 1905, Page 6

V.M.C.A.

BIG MEMBERS' RALLY. A very large number of the members of the Y.M.C-A. and a great many representative citizens responded to the invitation of the committee to attend a great rally at the institution last night, and a splendid evening's entertainment was obtained. The V.M.C.A. began a forward movement on the most up-to-date lines six months ago, and since then the membership has increased from 250 to 700, an increase of about 450. The cause of this is the additional attractions provided for the youth of the city at the institution, and the increased energy of the committee. The V.M.C.A. claims to have the most up-to-date and complete gymnasium in the colonies. It is under the charge of Messrs. W. 8. Russell, George Corbridge (one of feandow's pupils), and Leslie Stewart, honorary instructors, and the membership is about 250 or 300. A full gymnastic course is gone through, and there is a special class on Saturdays for boys between the ages; of 10 and 14. One of the most important innovations is the provision of a club-room on modern lines —a luxuriously appointed room, in which one can read or write or play chess, etc.; adjoining is a reading-room with all the latest magazines and daily papers. A boys' club-room is'to be provided on the top floor, the lower one being for senior members. The Camera Club is an important new branch of the V.M.C.A., and under the secretaryship of Mr Cory, an interesting course of work is being gone through, with the assistance of prominent photographers like Mr Josiah Martin. A dark room, etc., are provided in the building, and the present membership is about 55. A programme of out-dooK excursions for the Ramblers and Camera Clubs combined is being arranged. A Bible-class is a new departure, and although a feai ture of the institution, attendance, of \ course, is purely voluntary, and it is conducted just as the other clubs. Mr .1. Lock and Mr C. 11. Poole are the chairmen, and the membership is about 50. This is quite independent of the Sunday lectures on Christian Evidence by different el'rgvmen and laymen, which are frtill maintained. The musical side of j human life is not neglected, and recently there were formed an orchestra and a glee club under the conductorship of Mr Sharp, organist of St. Andrew's. The Glee Club made its first public appearance last night, and did very well. Quite a novel idea is the Strangers' Tea, which is held on Sunday evenings for young men who are strangers in the town and carr to attend. The programme is to be largely extended in the direction of holding a snmmer camp near the city, so that young fellows can spend the night there and come to business in the morninjjs as usual; the formation of a swimming club, literary classes, winter : tennis club, commercial classes, boys' ; department, the purchase or leasing of ;an oil-launch for pleasure excursions. I The whole of the V.M.C.A. building has ! been renovated, and new baths., etc., have been installed, a hot water service also being completed. Last night's entertainment began with an exhibition of dumbbell exercises by a special squad of fine-looking young men. in the gymnasium, and a i great Sandovr exercises display by Mr G. Cartridge, in the main hall. Dr. A. O. Knight (president) opened the concert part of the programme with a brief speech, and remarks were made also by Pastor Clark and Mr C. H. Poole. Seve- | ral fine orchestral selections were playjed by Mr Tremain's orchestra during the j evening. Songs were sung by Messrs. !A. Rowp and Perry, recitations by Mr (ieorge Warren and A. McElwain, en- ; ] cores in each case being demanded, and i the Glen Club sang two excellent nmni I bers. A successful evening concluded i with an interesting Tndian club display jby the members in the gymnasium.