Y.M.C.A.

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21533, 24 July 1935, Page 6

Y.M.C.A.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MONTHLY MEETING The monthly meeting of the Y.M.C.A. Board of Directors was held last evening, there being present Messrs; D E. Parton (in the chair), J. W. Hillary. J. E. Fleming, T. Charters, P. H. Sandall, I. Sladen, T. Evans, F. Thompson. A. C. Cottrell, S. L. Partridge. A. M. West K. G. Archer, and the general secretary, Mr A. J. McEldowney. The president moved a vote of symnathy with Mr A. M. West, who had thct day received word of his brothers death in a motor accident in <ae United States. A vote of sympathy passed with the relatives of the late Nurse Maude and Mr O. E. White was, carried in the usual manner. Mr Frank Thompson was welcomed I as a new member of the board. i Letters of congratulation on the success of the "street day," and expressing warm sympathy with the splendid work done by the association, were received from the Christchurch Ministers' Association and the East Christchurch Methodist Circuit. t Mr Allison attended the board by ! special invitation to give his experiences of "street day" and to receive the congratulations of the board on his excellent organisation. Mr Charters supported Mr Parton in his eulogy of the organisation work undertaken by Mr Allison. It was decided that the board would endeavour to help the gymnasium leaders in billeting visitors from Dunedin. Officers' Reports

The following is a summery of reports presented to the board:— The general secretary reported that the last three weeks had been taken up with "street day" organisation, but that the usual activities had not been curtailed. Much activity had taken place in community work. The gymnasium grouo had continued, and the personality class was proving most popular. Personal interviews were still taking a good deal of time, although Mr Maxwell had helped considerably in this direction. Mr Keys also was devoting more and more time to actual vocational guidance work. More than 50 people had signified their intention o! joining the Kagawn Fellowship, and it had been suggested that the Revs. L. A. North and A C. Watson, with the president and generrl secretary, keep in close touch with this matter. There had been very few serious cases before the Children's Court lately, and the general secretary had attended when necessary. A more serious aspect was the development of crime amongst young men between the ages of 18 and 25, and personal matters in this direction hrd been dealt with as the occasion warranted. Teas for unemployed men had been well attended, and all were most appreciative. 'Hie position of men on J sustenance was a particularly bleak I one.

Boys' Gordon Hall The report of the Boys' Gordon Hall department showed 497 financial members this being an increase of 33 on the same time last year. A very large number of boys were paying small amounts regularly each week ranging from 3d to Is. More than 40 clubs had met regularly erch week, which resulted in nearly 100 separate meetings for the month under the group system Health talks had been given during the month, with a total attendance of 175 boys. An address to the secondary schools' group had been taken by Dr. D. E. Currle. and the director spoke to the combined primary groups. A series of debates were being held in the secondary group. The World Brotherhood and Stamp Club had had two good meetings, and the ambulance class had continued to do good work, also the boxing class All sports teams had continued to do very well in the competitions, and the third grade Soccer team still remained unbeaten, while the other Soccer term and the three hockey

teams were well up in points. The mouth-organ band wfifi continuing' its activities very satisfactorily, and had played out a good deal lately. Physical Department It was reported that the enrolment I was 820 in gymnasium classes, consisting of 03 boys under 12, 94 primary boys, '96 secondary boys, SO employed boys, 12 newspaper boys, making a total of 330 boys, the unemployed 'classes registering 164, business men 50 men and young men 121, making a total of 171 in the men's classes. The ladies totalled 77, girls under 14 25, and college girls 53. The total nttendences for the period had been

3280, as against 3,259 for last season.: Two basketball teams had been operating in the gymnasium, and a.vwltto Timaru had been arranged. Members of the lerders' corps had given a display at Tennyson Street Congregational Hall. The other main indoor ijames included volley ball and badminton. A ladies' folk dancing group nnd been started with the ladies prior to their gymnasium classes on WedI ncsdays.