THE Y.M.C.A.

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 58, 1 December 1917, Page 2

THE Y.M.C.A.

A RECORD OF .ACHIEVEMENT

Annual meeting

Af„ > 5, ,lnual meeting of tho Young j le 'VS Christian Association was held Ust night. Mr. W. H. George prcI sided.

Die report and balance-sheet. were adopted after ivery brief remark. Following are extracts from the report •—

Finance and Membership. During the year the finances have been fairly well maintained. Omitting depreciation, the profit and loss account for the year shows & loss of £77 lis. 2d. The revenue from . subscriptions and donations has- increased considerably. Gene/al donations. have increased by £45 95., and membership feos by £63 15s. A new source of revenue in- sustaining subscriptions (annual subscriptions outside membership) brought in-£lO2 7s. .

Our receipts for the year from all sources amounted to £6260 17s. 7d. Despite the fact that so many young men are leaving our shores-in--order to fight for King and Country, the membership of the association has increased considerably during the year. Over 300 men who have been on our books as members are on active service. Two of these have won the Military Medal. The membership campaign lield in July and August was a great success, resulting in the securing of over 500 new members, subscribers, and donors. _ Free membership for twelve months is offered to returned soldiers. ,

Membership fees received amount to £796 Bs., as against £732 13s. for last year, being an increase of £63 15s. The present financial membership of the association is as follows:—Senior, 706; boys' department, 225; total, 931. This is the largest number in the history of the assooiation.- In addition, we have 42 sustaining subscribers. Field Service. Although the greater part of the war- work done previously by this association has been taken over by the National Committee, the year hae been a' strenuous one in service for. our soldiers. •-'".'.'. | The hostel establishment in Boulcott Street, in. August,-1916, has been of incalculable service,' especially to the men. on week-end leave. .It speedily became evident that; further accomrhbfla-. tion was absolutely iiteessary- and this was provided by,*the conversion of" a' building at "the' back, an additional 30 beds, tlras~'making provision i for 96 mon altogether. A' large number of returned men use the hostel upon arrival. The efficient service, of this branch of the association's work is apparent from the fact that the demand each week-end' is considerably in excess of the beds available. - Miss Patrick, the matron, assisted by Mrs. Kent, and members of the. Y.W.C.A., with our own Ladies' Auxiliary, are doing splendid work.

To meet the extra requirements, our gymnasium and some committee-rooms in tho Willis Street building are turned into dormitories for the Saturday and Sunday nights, and in this way wewere able to cater for 81 mCn in addition to the ordinary residential facilities. '

The main building is also extensively used by soldiers for residence, meals, storage of parcels, reading; writing, social intercourse, making inquiries, etc. Thero is no doubt that the men value very highly indeed.the conditions prevailing in the association building, especially tho helpful atmosphere and good-comradeship that.exists within its walls.' / •/••- .''.''■!

Striking evidence of the work done is shown--in the -fact that at! the hosteli since '"its" Inception, 1,2;542 'beds have been supplied and 23,837 meals served.

At the Willis Street building we have supplied 3959 beds and 5722 meats during the year.'.' Art average of 70 soldiers aro entertained at supper by the association on Sunday evenings after church hours; many joining in song service round the organ. In addition to these services rendered to the men themselves, a large number of inquiries by relatives and friends re sick and wounded men, cabling money, sending of parcels, etc., have been dealt with.

Concert parties organised by Miss Mina Caldow and Mr. W. Goudie have regularly visited_ tho various military camps and provided high-class programmes.

,- # There was only one Territorial training camp held iii our district during the year and the service rendered by the association in conjunction with the chaplains was highly appreciated by officers and men.

The- Wellington association is wel represented at the front by. the following members as,Y.M.CA. field secretaries: Messrs.- E-.-.M.' JR-yan, R.. D, Baker, W. H. Cox, C.H.'E, Strack, and 'A. Gillies ....'. ... . .'.

Thanks. We aro again indebted to our ladies auxiliary for inuch. valuable service They have been particularly active ii working for the men on active service The Red Trianglo Depot, which has beei caricd on most successfully throughoui the year, has resulted in the sum o: £275 being raised for the Trench Cora forts Fund. The "Flower Day," heli in November, 191.6, was a splendir effort, and brought in the sum of £511 2s. 6d. for trench comforts. This mag nificeut result is a tribute to the ex cellent organisation and whole-hcartec enthusiasm of our ladies' auxiliary, win were well supported by the Y.W.C.A and other societies. Tho annual bazaar and sale of worl produced the sum of £134 10s., am this, together with the proceeds of seve ral jumble sales, enabled the auxiliary to hand over tho_ sum of £180 to th< Building Renovation Fund. , Your directors desire to specially thank all who have come forward witl financial assistance. The many honor 'ary workers who have so loyally stoot by us during the year, merit our warm est thanks. Wo would also again rccon our appreciation of the valuable assist ance so readily rendered by the Presi of Wellington in bringing the work am claims of the association before tin public. • Election of Directors. Tlie election of nine directors resulted in the following being returned unop posed:—Messrs. W, C. Badden, J. L Laurenson, /• J. Mather, W. M. Eglin T. Forsyth, J- Ilott, C. M. Luke (al 're-elected), J. Caughley and Roberl Johnson (now members). Complimentary Votes. A hearty vote of thanks was accordec to the ladies' auxiliary for valued assistance during the year, a similar vot( to the Press of this country foT ait given, and also a vote of thanks to tin staff. . " Mr. 11. \V. Korsloy moved to recori the- sympathy of the association witl tho parents and relatives of members of the association who have fallen ii: tho war, On the motion of Mr. Varncy it wa'f decided to send greetings from the meeting to members of Wellinptor Y.M.C.A. now on war servico as field secretaries. It was agreed also to sent greetings to Mr. H. Holmes, formerly secretary in Wellington, who is mm secretary in charge of Y.M.C.A. worl in connection with the Second Army with which, the Now /calenders' ar< associated. It was decided also to forward f letter of congratulation and thrtnks. t( Mrs. Williams,-president of the ladies auxiliary.