FINANCES OF Y.M.C.A.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 139, 14 June 1932, Page 5

FINANCES OF Y.M.C.A.

MORE THAN £800 RECEIVED. UNEMPLOYMENT AMONG BOYS. A meeting of directors of the Y.M.C.A. was held last night, Mr. C. H. Furness presiding. The various departmental reports revealed a considerable amount of activity in the association. The gymnasium report showed enrolments totalling 320 to date, and the outdoor athletic committee reported that 18 teams were taking the field each week. The boys' division report emphasised the great value of the Big Brother movement in influencing lads who had appeared before the Children's Court, and referred to the activities being undertaken in the interests of unemployed boys. The religious work report showed over 800 enrolled in 65 weekly gatherings. It was reported that the recent financial effort, controlled by Mr. Walter C. Browne, had been instrumental in bringing into the association over £800, with additional promises which would increase that total. The house to house section of the effort had resulted in £385 being collected; 46 collectors visited 50,000 homes. No adverse criticism of the work of the Y.M.C.A. had been met with. The sale of the 1/ coupons had resulted so far in over £50 being received, with many books still to come in, while the sterling committee had been responsible for bringing in £330 from business friends, with a number of promises still to materialise. In that sum 12 amounts had exceeded £10 and 25 exceeded £5. On the motion of the president, a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to all the workers and to the large section of the general public who had so generously contributed. During the evening Mr. E. E. Kitchener gave a report of the recent deputation to the Government on the matter of unemployment among boys. It was stated that the scheme for daytime gymnastics was not being availed of as much as was hoped, as most of the boys lived in the suburbs, and tram fares had become a problem with them. Mr. Adair reported that a large number of those boys, and also boys whose fathers were out of work, were being given free membership in the association. It was decided' to continue to assist in every way possible, a special committee being set up to further the matter. A letter from the Mayor asking the Y.M.C.A. to take special interest in one of the unemployment camps was received. This was approved, and a subcommittee consisting of Major A. T. Dow, Messrs. C. A. Whitney, D. Fairgay, and F. Paton was given power to act.