A WORTHY EXAMPLE.

Evening Post, Volume LXX, Issue 61, 9 September 1905, Page 4

A WORTHY EXAMPLE.

Tho recent appeal on behalf of the Yoiang Mqn's Christian Association has not been in vain. As we noted yesterday, Mrs. W. R. Williams, of whose well-directed munificence this is not the» firs!; example, has presented the Associa- 1 t\on with premises in one of our principal .streets, the land and buildings together being valued at £2800. This is the first and a very important step towards the housing of the Association in such a man. ner as to allow due scope for its varied energfea, and a number of the members havo guaranteed £1000 to the building fund. So far, no attempt has beon made to canvass the public for aid— all that has been done was to make known through the press the difficulty under which the institution has been labouring for want of convenient premises of its own. At the anniversary meeting next week, the committee will be üble to lay before tho public an encouraging report, and we have full confidence that its efforts will be seconded by the public as heartily as similar work luis been elsewhere. There is always much promise in a good beginning, and this has certainly been made. Tt seems to us; however, that there is one point demanding attention before any final or decisive step is taken towards carrying out the object of the committee. It is desirable that the projected building should not only be sufficiently large to accommodate the various departments of the Association — offices, lecture-room, library, class-rooms, gymnasium, etc. — bift that it should, in matter of architecture, be worthy of the institution, and of tho prominent site it is to occupy in a city possessing already many fine public buildings? The site so freely and liberally given, while of considerable area, has a frontage which seems scarcely adequate for these requirements, being just thirty-four feet. The committee would, we think, be well advised to ascertain whether it can arrange to acquire property adjoining and increase the frontage to such an extent as to allow of a? 1 dignified and well-pro-portioned front elevation. Should this be practicable it ought to be accomplished, and the general public, which has reason to be proud of the Association and its work, would, we are convinced, itake pride also in a handsome _addition to the architectural features of the city, and would give all needed help. There is also an excellent opportunity for some of our wealthier and public-spirited citizens, following the excellent example set by Mrs. Williams, to come forward with substantial donations. It will be a plea-sp-nt feature of next Thursday's meeting if the committee has something of the kind to report.