YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.

Evening Post, Volume LXXII, Issue 93, 17 October 1906, Page 10

YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.

»ANNUAL MEETING. The Young Men's Christian Association held its fourth annual meeting at tho V.M.C.A. rooms, Jervois-quay, last evening. Mr. H. W. Kersley "presided, there being over 60 members in attendance. It was resolved, on the motion of Mr. J. Ilott, "That those present at this first general meeting of members of the association since the great building campaign, desire to place on record their gratitude to Almighty God for the wonderful measure of success vouchsafed to t?.e campaign, and the hearty and generous response accorded this great forward movement of the association by all sections of the community." The annual report, particulars of which have already appeared in the Post, and the balance-sheet were read and adopted. The general fund in the bal-ance-sheet showed the total receipts to be £587 14s 9d, a pleasing item of which was £201 for members' subscriptions. Last year this item was put down at £150. The hon. treasurer, Mr. J. C. Port, in commenting on the financial aspect of the association, said the Ladies' Auxiliary had done good work in collecting £129 13s 5d towards the fund for furnishing the new building. In connection with the building fund, he said, there was a sum of £2350 on deposit. Various speakers, in referring to the report presented by Mr. H. N. Holmes, general secretary, said it was gratifying to hear such highly successful results achieved by the various departments of the association, and expressed tho opinion that behind it all was the personal influence and great ability of Mr. Holmes. Subsequently Mr. J. Ilott moved : "That the members take this opportunity of heartily thanking the general secretary, Mr. H. N. Holmes, for the wholehearted and splendid service he has rendered the association during the past year. Only those closely identified with the inner working of the association can at all realise how great and constant the strain has been, particularly during the great building campaign, with all its many added responsibilities ; yet throughout it all Mr. Holmes has shown admirable tact and splendid capacity for the work in every department. The boards and members take this opportunity of wishing Mr. Holmes bon voyage on almost the eve of departure for a six months' visit to the United States, Canada, etc., the batter to qualify himself for the important position of secretary to the rssociation in its new building. They trust he will havie a truly happy and profitable time, and assure him of a hearty welcome on his return. The mption was seconded by Mr. Wm. Allan, and carried. Mr. Holmes, in reply, said he came to Wellington two and a half yenrs ago a stranger, and since his arrival he had made many friends. He did not know of any place — even except Adelaide, where he came from — thafc he liked better than Wellington. He scouted the idea that the success of the association wao duo to any one individual. The association, he said, would fail to-mor-row if that were so. The keynote to the succsss of the institution to-day was, and ever mu?t be, in the training of volunteer service Appreciation was expressed of the invaluable services rendered the association by Mr. J. C. Port in his capacity of hon. treasurer during the past year, especially recofnising his magnificent work during the building campaign. Similar compliments were paid to Mr. H. S. Hart, hon. secretary, Messrs. Badham and Biss, and the Ladies' Auxiliary. • • On the motion of Mr. W. C. Hemery, seconded by Mr. J. Ilott, it was resolved, "That this annual meeting desires to place on record its high appreciation of the great 'service rendered to the association by the daily press of the city, more especially during the progress of the building , campaign." A presentation of prizes was made as follows: — P. F. Hodge, for highest points scored in the Amateur Athletic Club; L. C. Parlon, first in the Gymnastic Club competition ; C. A. Dickinson, second in the Gymnastic Club competition 5 and S. J. Parkes, for making most improvement in the same club during the season. A subcommittee, consisting of Messrs. Wm. Allan, C. M. Luke, W. H. George, and J. C. Port, was appointed to go through the constitution and report at the next annual meeting. Officers for the ensuing year were appointed as follows ; — President, Mr. J. G. W. Aitken, M.H.R. ; vice-presi-dents, Messrs. W. Allan, 'J. H. Barker, Captain Blackburn, E. Balcombe Brown, W. H. George, A Hoby) J. Hott, C. H. Jones H. W. Kersley, C. M. Luke, J. Rumgay, G. S. Shirtcliffe, A. P. Smith, and R. W. Waterhouse j Board of Management, Messrs. J. W. Black, W. Campbell, C. E. Dowland, W. Eglin, C. S. Falconer, J. W. Fossette, W. C. Hemery, J. W. Jack, J. P. Luke, H. N. M'Leod, E. M. Ryan, and T. Wardell ; hon. secretary, Mr. H. S. Hart ; hon. treasurer, Mr. J. C. Port.