Y.M.C.A.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 19622, 18 May 1929, Page 4

Y.M.C.A.

A SUCCESSFUL YEAR. j ANNUAL REPORT. "The year just passed has been m many directions a year of consolidation, while in yet other directions, due principally to change of staff and to extension of work, it has been a year of experiments. That such will be continued during next year as an integral part of the programme goes prove that the work has been on a sound basi«. As we look back on the j'car 's work we can point to accomplishment along steady, progressive lines," i states the fifty-third annual report of the Young Men's Christian Association of ( hristchurch. ''The Association sustained a severe loss in the death of Mr Stanley Wilkinson. He will be missed in many t spheres, and not the least in the Cbristehurch Y.M.C.A. During the whole of j his residence in Christehurch, our late j vice-president took a prominent part in j thr direction of our affairs. "Since the appointment of Mr Russ as our membership secretary, no effort has been spared to put the membership on a sound basis, and the figures, after thorough purging, now stand at: Boys, 472 (379 in. 1927); younger men, 10i seniors, 361 (292); sustaining, 231, giving a total of 1165. In the sustaining membership we.have.included all who have contributed Tegular!/ to the funds over a period of six years. The boys' figures do not cover numorous boys, numbering over 200, who attend special classes or who attend suburban clubs. A still further effort will be made this year to increase our membership in all departments. "The emphasis on Christian life and _ adventure has bee-n a feature of this year's work. All the groups, whether in the senior or junior departments, have been studying the first and second sections of Basil Matthews' 'Study of Jesus Christ.' These studies have been well worth while, and the fact that they are being conducted in many countries of the world, by many races and colours, has caught the imagination. The Rev. Gardner Miller has once again conducted the Gymnasium Leaders' Study Group, and has been invited to continue the work next season. "The residents' services have been well attended. As in the past, the Association has had the cordial support of many of the clergymen and ministers of the City. The secretaries have assisted other organisations by taking numerous services and speaking at special gatherings. Special Sunday services such as 'Mothers' Day' and 'flounders' Day,' have been well attended. "The educational work of the Association has made definite advance in the past year. The salesmanship class had a record enrolment of 62, with a good average attendance. The debating club, ; although not very large, showed an advance on last year and many very interesting sessions have been held. Lectures in the many clubs have been of great variety and have been of wide educational value. The orchestra has had a most successful season under the conductorship of Mr V. C. Peters and the organisation of Mr D. D. Leekie. should be the keynote of the Y.M.C.A., and that certainly is the objective of the local Association. That this objective has been achieved in past years is proved by the way old members come back to renew friendships. Th© past year has been one in which friendliness ha* been notably manifest. The stranger has been greet- ! Ed sincerely, the student from the country town has been made welcome, and the members themselves have vied in friendliness through their various groups. "In reviewing the work of the boys department, it, is pleasing to note the general increase on our last year's work. The all-round character building programme was carried out in all sections, the groups being divided into clubs. Much satisfaction has been expressed at the fact that thirty Bible study groups were formed, with an aggregate attendance of 5633. "The attendances at the gymnasium and physical games again showed a substantial increase. A special effort was made to form classes for secondary and employed boys with gratifying result?. . A boxinar class, under the instruction of Mr Phil Le Brun was most popular. The cricket and football teams did very well in the competitions during tho year, the two Association football teams winning all available trophies in their grade. The two Rugby teams, though not quite so successful, were very keen and did well. The cricket team came third in the fourth grade competitions. The annual swimming carnival attracted over 100 entries. Educational talks, inter-Association visits, banquets, and camps were all well supported. "A special campaign for funds was held during the year, but owing to tho financial stringency and the difficulty of obtaining helpers the response was poorer than anticipated. Consideration ha# been given during the year to means of increasing our regular revenue, and a determined effort will be made to obtain many more regular subscriptions during the coming year. We believe that the community interest in the Association has never been greater; what is now needed is a transference of that Interest into practical financial help. It is satisfactory to note that there has been an increase in revenue from membership sources during the past year. "There is a great need in the present day to bring influence to bear on the youth of our Dominion in the building up of Christian character," concludes the report, "and we enter upon another vear with the earnest prayer and firm conviction that the Great Master will use our Association as a still greater force in the training of youth in Christian principles and the duties of citizenship."