COMMUNITY ASSET

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 167, 11 April 1935, Page 21

COMMUNITY ASSET

Masterton Y.M.C.A. THIRTIETH ANNUAL REPORT Special to The Dominion. Masterton, April 9., “The Masterton YAI.C.A. is very definitely a community asset,” states the thirtieth annual report o£ the association. "The number o£ people from all classes of the community, representing private interests, or the interests of other organisations, who are able to find in the YjM.C.A.' and its equipment that which they need to assist to a successful issue some plan or project is incalculable. So from this point of view alone, the association has a distinct claim on the community for the support it has proved so willing to give.” Continuing, the report states that the secretary, Mr. A. E, Bate, has continued I to co-operate with the Mayor, Mr. T. Jordan, in the relief fund and in numerous other opportunities of alleviating distress. These have been more directly concerned with youth, the association’s knowledge of the boys of Masterton having been of great use to employers, with' the result that over 100 positions, both casual and permanent, were filled during the past twelve months. However, there was not the same amount of call upon the association in connection with relief camps as during the previous year, mainly owing to the closing of several camps. The association is still the chief supervising agency as regards boys who transgress the law. For the third time in succession a camp for the less privileged boys in the community was held by the association. The rooms of the association were in constant demand for meetings of all sorts, as well as being made a rendezvous for visitors to the town, especially visiting teams and parties of juveniles. “The service of the association is inspired by the religious basis of the organisation and in the building up of character,” continues the report. “In. view of this, the junior programme especially has a definite religious basis.” The report mentions the formation of the Christian Youth Council, which was formed through the efforts of the YAI.C.A., to make the Bible class movement in Masterton more progressive. ‘‘The association provides a field of Christian service by youth for youth that is unequalled, but the difficulty of obtaining consecrated leaders is often very discouraging.

Referring to the physical section of the association, the report states that this is probably the best known side of its activities. Representing more than a 30 per cent, increase oir the previous year, the total enrolments in all classes for the past year was just over the 200 mark. Both the carnival effort and the state of the Masterton Opera House affected the decision not to hold an Olympiad last year, which was the first time it has been missed. The report gives a comprehensive review of the activities during' the past year, both indoors and out-of-doors. It states that the Junior Department was by far the most active during 1934, when over 70 boys were in the c’lub groups, whic'h worked oil a competitive basis. Special social activities were conducted in this department, one of the main functions being the revival of the inter-associa-tion visits.

Reference is made to the remarkable expression of the public confidence displayed by'the response to the association’s darnival effort launched in August. A sum of £939 was handed over to the association, but further expenses had since reduced this sum to under £9OO, though this did not detract from the splendid success attained. Mention is also made of the Coronation Ball, a spectacular ceremony, which outshone even the success of the carnival. The Masterton Municipal Hall was Crowded to capacity, and over £76 was received, the net profit from the function being a little over £5O, which was donated to the Mayor’s Relief of Distress Fund, z ’