Y.M.C.A. ACTIVITIES

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 88, 13 April 1917, Page 2

V.M.C.A. ACTIVITIES

During the Easter holidays the Wellington V.M.C.A. had a very busy time. Owing to the large number; of soldiers in town on leave, the accommodation was taxed to the utmost. In the Willis-street building the men filled the gymnasium and the other spare rooms, and when all tho blankets were in use some of them slept on the bare floor in their overcoats. JBeUveen the hostel in Boulcott-street and the main V.M.C.A. -780 beds were provided and over 1700 meals supplied to men from the camps, and much credit is due to the house staffs in both buildings for the splendid way in whioh they carried out an exceptionally heavy task j ' For the seventh time in succession tho association is indebted to Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Field for their great kindness in allowing the members and workers of the Boys' Department, 105 all told, to camp on their fine site at Waikanae. The boys arrived in camp on Thursday night. Most of the time was spent in competitions between the various, tents in football, running, tent inspection and swimming. G. Tilley was the captain of the winning tent. On Sunday two of the older boys, Don Scott and Jack Forsyth, spoke at the morning service, when Mr. Field was present. In the evening a splendid service was held ,when the boys were addressed by Messrs. F. F: Laurcnson and A.E. Smith. Several boys decided for the Christian life. The event of tho camp was the Soccer football match between seniors and juniors, which resulted in a draw —2 all. The boys returiifcd to town on Tuesday, after having had one of the finest camps ever hold by the Boys' Department. Mr. Jerard, already well-known in Wellington as one of tho twelve survivors of the Gladiator, was present throughout the camp. All arrangements were carried out by tho committee largely composed of the older boys themselves, together with an executive consisting of Messrs. F. F. Laurenson (camp leader), A. Truely '(deputy leader), J. Hume (boyB 1 work director), and B. Donkin (sooutmaster). -

In the Magistrate's Court yesterday Mr. W. G. Riddell, S.M., reversed his judgment in the case in which the Inspector of Awards (Mr. G. H. Lightfoot) proceeded against Horace J. Archer, drapery for a penalty in respsct of a breach of the section of the award. governing the employment of apprentices. The original judgment dismissing the case was" appealed against in-the Arbitration Court, and remitted to. the Magistrate. The penalty was fixed at'2os. .Archer was represented by Mr. C. H, Treadwell

"There is something wrong somewhere when a boy, can Jive so close to school and yet. not, attend for twelve months, and have only only passed the first standard. Where has the truant officer been?" said Mr. L. G. Reid, S.M., at Lower Hutt, durin? the hearing of a case in which application was being made to commit a boy of thirteen years to an industrial school.