Y.M.C.A.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17221, 11 August 1921, Page 10

Y.M.C.A.

VISITED BY GOVERNORGENERAL. His Excellency the Governor-General, ViscountJellicoe of Scapa, visited the YMC A. rooms last evening. A grand members' night was held in honour of his visit. Several members of tlie Board of Directors were present, and there was a large muster of members of the Association. Every room .was brightly lighted, and the reception hall was gaily decorated with flags and red, white, and blue ribbons. Behind the dais to which his Excellency was conducted was an artistically-designed board, with the words "The Triangle Greets the Anchor." His Excellency arrived promptly at 8 p.m., and was received by . Air A. Borrows (president of the Christchurch Association). Senior members of the YM C A in gymnasium costume, formed a guard of honour. Among those present were Bishon Julius. Mr T I Kovds (chairman of the tooutn Island executive), Messrs R A. Kenner (general secretary), A. J. J. F. Colchin, the Hon. G. J. Smilta, M.L.C., and Colonel R. Young WMficpil Commanding the Southern Military DisMr Borrows said that the Y.M.C.A. deemed it an honour to. have the Gov-ernor-General present that night, bince the wax the Y.M.C.A. had-kept itself - actively engaged. Last week the membership had passed the and the total of boys in the Gordon Hall was 500. (Applause.) Mr Royds also briefly welcomed his Excellencv. The object of the Y.M.C.A., he said, was not to make money, but to produce good citizens. In doing this work there were several disappointments but also much pleasure and encouragement, and one of the brightest incidents was the visit to the buildings which Viscount Jellicoe was paying, thus setting the hall-mark of his approval on the Y.M.C.A. (Applause.) His Excellency said it was a real pleasure to attend the Y.M.C.A. that night. He knew quite a lot about the ' work of the Y.M.C.A. during the war, and a certain amount about it sine© then. The only criticism he eve* had to make during the tfur about the Y.M.C.A. in its work for the Navy was that it was putting up rather too magnificent a structure for sailors on ■ an island in Scapa Flow, which was a naval base. He had seen, also, something of the work of the Y.M.C.A. in France, in the visit he paid there in 1918, and he was struck with the way in which they kept up to the front lines. The Y.M.C.A. was doing a great work in developing the youth of the country into good citizens. He would not make a speech, but would get to business, and would see what the Y.M.C.A. was doing in bringing up the youths of the country in the way they should go. He wished all connected with the work of the Y.M.C.A. every possible success that could attend their efforts. (Ap.plause.) His Excellency and the other official visitors were then conducted through the building for the purpose of witnessing the activities of the various mente. In the gymnasium a demonstration of class-work and games was given. The Y.M.C.A. orchestra, conducted by Mr M. V. Peryer, made its first public appearance. All of the clubs connected with the Y.M.C.A. were in operation, and a full evening's entertainment was provided. ■ Before • leaving the huilding, Lord Jellicoe said that the Y.M.C.A. was doing the finest work for younsr men thnt he had seen. He was deeply interested in every phase of the work, and he thought that the way the membership of tho branch had been built up since the war, was wonderful. Hej. aga\n wished the institution every success. A banquet was held in the Concert Hall. It was hoped that his Excellencywould be able to attend this, and reply to the toast of "The Empire," ..but, owing to another engagement,. the' Governor-General had to leave tho Y.M.C.A. at 9 p.m. Grace was said by Bishop Julius. Mr A. Borrows presided, and proposed Che opening loyal toast. Other toasts honoured were: "The Em» pire," proposed 'by Mr L.' A. Charles and responded to by Mr H. J. Marriner (president of the Christchurch branch of the Navy League); "Our City of the Plains," proposed by Mr A. E. Trask, and responded to by , Biship Julius; "The Visitors," proposed" oy Mr P. T. Hall, and responded to by Colonel G. J. Smith. The Y.M.C.A. orchestra played a few selections, and a quartet was given by Messrs C. H. Mathieson, W. Joll, R. Beveridge, and S. Hawker. A violin solo was played by Mr B. F. S. Barker. r