Y.M.C.A

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 13108, 6 May 1908, Page 11

V.M.C.A

. VALEDICTORY GATHERING TO "MR OTENTNG.

A very largo gathering of membera of tbe V.M.C.A. and their friends was held in the City Hall last evening fox tbe purpose of bidding farewel to Mr G. Stenina, the secretary of the Association, wl» is leaving on a twelve months' visit to England; and. America. Mr C. E. Salter, president of tho Board of Management, was in the ' chair, and the lteve, J. Mackenzie an*l 11. Purchas, and Messrs J. MitoliciU, J. Royds, J. Rodger, taid T. C. Field, members of the Board of Management, warn also present. Messrs A. W. Bea■ven aad C. R. Ford, two other mom'bere,'sent apologies for« abeenoe.. The Rev. J. in eulogising Mr Stcnuigfs work, stated that in view of the extended work of the Aissociation, and its limited experience in regard to V.M.C.A. matters, the Board had decided it would be a good invostinent, in the interests of the- Association, for Mr Stening "to visit Great Britain and America, in order to in- ' vestig.ue personally the work of the ■ Association in these places. TJie * Board felt, justified in taking this step, owing to the fact that Mr Stening had 4 ihown . during lua tenure of office special aptitudo for the work. Mr Salter Mr Fawcett, '' tJie'iiew secretary, and in doing so, incidentnlly intimated that .the working plans of tiro new buildings wero now .almost completed, and in the course "of a week or ten days tenders would •bo called^ -During the evening Mr Mason khanded 3lr Stening .a, silver.. soverei«i • case, on behalf of tho members of tlie Associatioa, stating' that he hoped Mr Steaingfs trip would bo a profitable one. •"■■.. Mr Stening, .in replying, said he had been working for the Association for some twenty years, and although many difficulties bad boon encountered,, he had always tried to do what ho could, because ho believed in the principles' tho Association stood for. Ho urged the rank and file to support .'Mr Fawcett to their utmost. ,

An excellent- programme, consistrng of vocal, instrumental, and gramaphone items was submitted, and refreshments were dispensed.