Y.M.C.A.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17316, 30 November 1921, Page 11

Y.M.C.A.

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Young Men's Christian Association ,wa« held last night, Mr A. Borrows presiding over a large attendance. The finanoiail statement showed that th® increased activities had naturally resulted in increased expenditure, which, however, was fully justified.- Members' subscription# had increased by £-224, as compared with the previous. y*sr, and sustaining subscriptions showed an increase of £137. The Endowment Fund would benefit to the extent of £2OO under the will of the late Mr H. h. Bowker. The furniture and billiards tables had been revalued, the former being assessed at £2996 15a 9d, and the latter at £845. The total liabilities were £11,305 17s 2d, and the assets £18,124 16s lOd. The expenditure was £3366 lis 6d, and the net debit baJance £933 lis Id. The annual report stated that Vhen the building was opened in 1909, there was a membership of 482. This steadily grew from year to year, until in 1921 it WM 1234. Th® Association was proud to again record the fact tbat members rosjjonded to the call of King and Empire.. During th® war years th® membership becam® depleted, and the period of rebuilding had commenced two ago. ' Every effort had been made to maintain the balanoe of the all-round programme. Th® attendances in various departments for the t six winteT months were as follows, the figures for the corresponding period of the previous year being given in parentheses: - Attendances 'at building, 38,629 (29,996); social functions, seniors only, 12,264 (G620); Bible Studv Circles and meetings, 1604 (1960); physical culture classes (9816 (4497); billiards games' played, 6127 (7010); number of beds occupied, 4344 (5746); number Of meals supplied, 29,066 (25,761). The outstanding feature of the social programme w«s the reception tendered to his Excellency the Governor-General, in August. Ibis was a brilliant function, and opportunity was taken to demonstrate the aJI-round programme ot I the Association. Many socials had been held! during the winter months, and a fancy dress carnival stood out among them. Billiards tournaments had been held, and a concert party and orchestra had been very successful. The activities of the gymnasium and , outside athletics had progressed splendidly. | A full-time physical director had been appointed in nriew of this. Basket ball and , volley bail tournaments had been, held during the winter. The first cricket eleven had won the senior City and Suburban Shield last season, and was now competing in junior division, cricket. The newly-formed athletic club, with a membership of _ approximately 60 was upholding the nam® of the VM.t.A. The Debating and Camera Clubs had been revived, and a Hobbies' Club formed. Numerous lectures had also been given to members i on different subjects. The Bible Study Circles had consistently operated in aiil departments, as also had the Sunday afternoon "Cosy Corner." Y.M.C.A. programmes had heen carried out at five military training camps at Burnham, and in June * ,V " of sailors from H.M.S. Chatham had taken ■place. In th® boys' work important steps had been taken., and the whole purpose wa-> to prepare boys to bscome good citizens, with Christian ideal* for their guidance. The boys had acquitted themselves crediUbly .n the field of sport, having won the **>>« Cricket League Cup and the Fourth Grade Championship Shield, the White Cup, the Third Grade Shield, and the Wateon Cup for Association football Last BuniMner thir r senior students had made a walking tour Mi the Summit road to Akaroa, and a camp for bovs had been held at Kaituna. Arrangements had been made for an extensive tour of the West Coast Ais also for a bovs' camp at Kairaki Beach. Success was wished Mr Percy M. Yelyin in his position of general £*P 1€ . r ; Mr Borrows, in moving th® adoption ot the annual report, esid that the last year had shown a great increase in membership. The Association had helped young men in finding boardinghouses for 521, private houses for 202, and had bwn cause of bringing 68 in contact with the church®.

M r J. I. Royds ventured to say, in reference to* tho debit balance, that if it had not been for the present financial stringency there would have been no loss. When th® depression was over there would no longer be a balance on the wrong side of the ledger. . . , Mr P. Hall said that the social work of the Association had been most successful, and that bright hopes were entertained for the next year. . Mr G. Grey spoke for the eportwff, ana Mr L. A. Charies for the education side, while various other members gave the results of the year's efforts in their various B *Votes of thanks vfrro accorded the Ladies' AuxjJvary, the staff, and the Prtss for th«i r services. . Mr B. A. Kenner, in responding for the staff, said it was a pleasure to do the work. The principle of the Association was to put more work into it than one got out of it. • The following were nominated for the Board of Directors:—Messrs J. I. Itoyds, 1. C Field A. Borrows, G. A. Dawson, W. Goss, and P. A. Le Brun. Mr L® Brun stt elected. The election of the. others will I take place at the next Board meeting. It was decided that the financial year should end in February and not September.