Y.M.C.A.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 42, 13 November 1907, Page 2

Y.M.C.A.

THE ANNUAL MEETING. Tho annual meeting of the Y.M.C.A. was held in tho Rooms last night. Mr. H. W. Kersley (vice-president) occupied tho chair, and about 50 members were present. THE REPORT. Tho annual report (which was unanimously adopted) stated, inter alia, that the Association had attained its fifth birthday, and that much had transpired for which the members should be thankful. The outstanding feature of tho work during the past twelve mouths had, without doubt, been the progress of the erection of the Association's new building in Willis Street. It would bo a permanent memorial to the munificence of Mrs. W. Ri Williams, who was entitled to bo called "Wellington's philanthropist," and to the sacrificing gifts of hundreds of othe'rs. Although the present rooms were too small, tho Board felt that it would not bo wise' at this stage to remove. The total membership now reached above 800. There were 19 names in tho volunteer band for foreign service, and the Board hoped that ere long Wellington would have its representative in, the foreign field. No committee had beea more faithful and enthusiastic in tho discharge of its duties than that which organised the strangers' tea. Wellington first adopted tho idea, and it had since spread to every largo centre in the Dominion. Two thousand six hundred young men had during tho year partaken of tea under the, auspices of the Association. Over 75 per cent; of tho new members were first attracted by the physical classes and athletic institutions connected with the Association. Tho I.M.C.A. clubs had had a very successful year. In all close on 4500 members and 276 visitors had attended the 'forty-nine, meetings held in connection with the junior department. The relisious work had been hindered for want of room.; Reference was made to tho hearty co-opera-tion, on many occasions, of the enthusiastic group of ladies who form tho Ladies' Auxiliary. They had, it was mentioned, collected £204 in aid of tho Furnishing Fund in connection with tho new building. As a result of the visit- of Mr. Lyman L. Pierce, B.Sc. (National Secretary for Australasia), over £51,080 was pledged in New Zealand in. fifty-one days to provide a modem building m each of tho largo cities. This effort was considered to constitute an achievement without parallel in a British country. It was pleasing to remember that Mr. W- Gillanders, 8.A.,, a Wellingtonian, had been selected to succeed Mr. Pierce as National Secretary! In conclusion, keen regret was expressed at the death of Archdeacon Williams, of To Auto, who had been a devoted friend to tho Association. It was pointed out that the deceased was tho largest donor in tho first campaign, and that his subsequent generosity had made possible the campaigns in Christchurch, Dunedin, and Auckland. The Board placed on record its deep sympathy with the family.

BALANCE-SHEET. Tho balance-sheet, which was also adopted, showed that tho receipts had totalled £691 13s. lid., and that the expenditure, had just exceeded that amount. The chief items among tho receipts wero members' subscriptions £210, special subscriptions £269.- The heaviest items of expenditure were salaries £304 and rent £100. The receipts in connection with the Building Fund were stated to total £7290 ss. 2d., made up as follow:— Balance, £6S; on deposit, £2350; subscriptions, Young Men's Fund, £710; subscriptions, Citizens' Fund, £4063; interest on doposit, £78; and collection at laying of foun-dation-stone, £18. ■ • OTHER MATTERS. It was agreed that the proposed new con« stitution be.-discussed at a special general meeting to be hold on December 10, when the election of office-bearers will take place:. , Hearty votes of thanks were accorded to * tho members of the Ladies' Auxiliary, the retiring officers and Board.of, Management, aud tho Press.