Y.M.C.A.

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21966, 15 December 1936, Page 6

Y.M.C.A.

♦ PUBLIC WORKS CAMPS

NEW SECRETARY NOW IN

CHARGE

The organising and establishing of Young Men's Christian Association institutions at the Public Works camps from Parnassus to Kaikoura are being undertaken by Mr E. L. Wain, wno has had considerable experience in this work at similar camps in the North Island. Mr Wain will himself be in charge of the Y.M.C.A. hut at Oaro. Another secretary will be appointed later at Aniseed Point, but Mr Wain will attend to preliminary work at that centre also. Mr Wain said yesterday that few realised the magnitude and diversity of Y.M.C.A. activities at these camps. The association did not confine itself to providing the men with comforts and entertainment, although that was one of its important functions. At Oaro, for instance, the Y.M.C.A. would have a canteen supplying refreshments, and the consumption of such commodities as ice cream would surprise any town dweller. The association would also have charge of the post and telegraph service, covering all branches of departmental work, one of the most important branches being those of the Post Office Savings Bank, and money orders. It had not yet been decided, said Mr Wain, whether the association would take charge of the grocery store, but in other camps elsewhere it had done so successfully.

At Oaro, which was to be a married men's camp, there would be 30Q married men with their families, making a population comparable with that of a small town. The school would have to accommodate upwards of 200 children. “One has to see this work to comprehend the magnitude of it," said Mr Wain.