ASSISTING YOUNG MEN

Evening Star, Issue 21078, 15 April 1932, Page 3

ASSISTING YOUNG MEN

Y.M.G.A. ACTIVITIES THIRTY-FIRST ANNUAL MEETING It was revealed at the thirty-first annual meeting of the Young Men’s Christian Association last night that despite the depression the year’s activities generally were marked with success. The president (Mr J. L. Salmond) presided over a fair attendance. The proceedings opened with the singing of a hymn, followed by a prayer offered by Mr 1). K. M‘Donald. THE YEAR’S WORK. The annual report stated;—An effort was made to help all coming within the association’s influence, both materially and spiritually, and to seek to bring them into closer contact with the great Friend of mankind. In these difficult times, especially for boys and young meiij the association was more than ever impressed with the importance of this work in the community and its possibilities for usefulness. The success of the work to a large extent was due to the splendid generosity of the citizens of Dunedin. During the year the board of management lost the services of Messrs W. Wright, J. Gray, J. Williams, and Rev. G. B. Hinton, who, during the period of their active association with the Y.M.C.A., rendered yeoman service. New members admitted to the board in the past twelve months wore Messrs M. C. Henderson, C. M'Kinnon, P. Findlay, T. Conly, J. Y. Love, and Rev. L. B. Neale. Throughout the year enthusiastic interest was well maintained in the activities of the association’s programme, and the building was utilised to its fullest capacity in the work of the four-fold character building. In spite of the unusual difficulties of 1931 the membership roll at the end of the year showed a total of 445. The objective of the hostel was to bring young men into congenial company and surround them with a Christian atmosphere. That this had been largely achieved was evident from the letters of thanks and the expressions of appreciation that had been received. «Tho activities of the residents were very successful. The Sunday morning services were well attended. Forty-nine services were held, two of which were combined services with the Y.W.C.A. The other activities included diverse competitions. Two combined social evenings were held with the Y.W.C.A. residents. The winter buffet run by the residents _ was an important factor in the evening’s programme. -The library had also been a decided asset to the residents. The Optimists’ Club, which aimed at bringing optimism and brightness into the lives of its members and of those with whom it came into contact, showed membership of forty-four, with an average attendance of thirtythree per luncheon. Twenty-two luncheons, at which helpful addresses of a high standard were given, were held. The younger men’s department had been affected by the depression, and to. a large extent by the transfer of many members to other centres. Nevertheless, although the number had been small, a series of club meetings were successfully organised. It was difficult to enumerate the whole of the community work done by the association, but a glance at the following list would convey some idea of what had been done in the past twelve months. The building was used extensively by religious, educational, and sports bodies as a meeting place. Church services had been taken by the staff, and help had been rendered to other church organisations. Assistance was given to local community efforts, gymnastic leaders being supplied to churches. 4YA helped at Sunday services and children’s hour. Concerts were given to local homes and institutions, and literature forwarded to the hospitals. Co-operative work with the local welfare and probationer officers in dealing with delinquent boys had been attended to. Counsel, help, and Christian fellowship was extended to visitors, including Flock House lads and ex-Borstal boys. Two hundred and thirty deserving children were provided with a free Christmas treat. Fifty boys were given a holiday at the boys’ summer camp, and a charge made according to their means. A monster “old clothes drive ” was staged, and hundreds _ of garments distributed among thirteen churches. Free accommodation was provided and assistance given to the Vocational Guidance Committee and its officer. In October the Governor-General and Lady Bledisloe were welcomed in the reception hall bv the trustees, board of directors, and the ladies’ auxiliary. The president delivered the reception address, and the Governor-General, in replying, paid a very high tribute to our work. Special thanks are due to the ladies’ auxiliary for their untiring and devoted labours in the interests of tho association, also for their financial assistance to the work. “ The Strolling Players," a company of local artists, again greatly assisted the association by flic presentation of another happy comedy. The cast greatly devoted their time to the work, and as a result they were able to hand over a substantial sum to the association. To ail who bad in any way assisted the work during the past twclve months thanks were expended. Their co-operation with the staff materially helped the smooth working of the various departments, and in no small measure contributed to the success,

Physical Department.—The total enrolments for the various classes in the gymnasium, including special classes, was 438,, and the attendance for the year in the regular classes alone had amounted to 8,644. Apart from this work, senior department physical activities included men’s basketball, gymnasium and socials, and residents’ "fixtures were responsible for an attendance of 1,500, whilst for boys’ division physical activities and other special work, the attendance was 2,425, making a grand total of 12,569 for the year. The members of the gymnasium classes had on the whole been enthusiastic in their work, had attended fairly regularly, and had received much benefit. Again the business men’s class was an outstanding success, with an enrolment of seventy-five, whilst the younger men’s class had a membership of sixtysix. The senior leaders’ corps again rendered valuable assistance in the gymnasium, by acting as leaders in the various squads on senior class nights. Gymnastic competition fixtures were held—senior business boys and High School boys. The work in each section was on the whole of a very satisfactory standard, and keen competition resulted. _ The physical examinations were again conducted by the department’s honorary physicians, and a large number of boys connected with the gymnastic classes took advantage of this privilege. The association’s thanks were duo to Drs Gerald Fitzgerald. Walden Fitzgerald, and W. ,1. Porteous, for their valuable and much-appre-ciated servies. The annual display, held in early October, proved a big success. Two performances were given, and on each night the gymnasium was completely filled with spectators. The largo numbers of pupils participating again rose to the occasion in a splendid manner, and were to be congratu-

latccl upon their excellent showing. Over 200 men and women, boys, and girls, took part in each performance. A most successful season was experienced in connection with the men’s basketball, a league was formed, and ten teams in all, including several teams outside of the association’s raembcrSj competed in the competition. Of special interest was the annual fixture with the Christchurch Y.M.C.A., which on this occasion was held away from home. Three gymnastic socials were hold in the gymnasium at various times during the class season, and proved extremely popular, about 150 members and friends being present on each occasion. Boys’ Division.—To bring boys into the fellowship , and spirit of Jesus Christ, to know and understand His ideals, teachings, and precepts, to exemplify these ideals in work and play of their daily lives, and to carry out a four-fold programme of religious, educational, physical, and social activities, was the objective of the boys’_ division. Last year the work was carried on in this department through the usual agency of small clubs or classes. Five different groups of boys—business, High School, Dunedin Technical College, Tuesday primary, and Thursday primary—met weekly. This work was most helpful in that the boys in association with their fellows in their games and studies, got to know each other intimately. Ten educational trips were made to various factories, machine shops, etc., during the year. Special clubs filled a big need in the department last year. Dramatic, stamp, woodwork, and tramping clubs were introduced, and met with great success. A well-attended mother, father, and son banquet was arranged at the end of the year. The High School group held two socials, and the primary group hold six. A parents’ meeting was held and was addressed by the general secretary and the boys’ work director. The Bible studies showed the successful manner in which the association was able to place before the boys the allimportant truths of life. A Y.M.C.A. Scout Troop had a membership of twenty Over ninety boys attended the camp at Wharc Flat, breaking the record for 1928. ADOPTION OF REPORT. “ It is wise to refresh our memories concerning the objects of tho association, and to ascertain whether or not the ideals of the founders are being fulfilled,” said the Chairman in prefacing bis remarks made when moving the adoption of the report. The great ideal and purpose of the association was to seek to develop in every boy and young man “ the mind of a scholar, the body of an athlete, and the spirit of a Christian gentleman.” The report gave no idea to what extent their efforts to fulfil these ideals have been successful, as such matters could nob be tabulated. They, however, had the evidence of many citizens, who gratefully testified to the great influence for good the Y.M.C.A. had on their lives, and they confidently believed this good influence still existed. Such ideals of service were surely worthy of the greatest efforts of time and money. Ho earnestly appealed to citizens, even in these times of great financial stress, to support the association in tho great work of helping to mould our youth to bo worthy citizens. The directors looked upon the hostel as a most important part of their work. It was a home in which a young man would meet with helpful companions and associations, and in which a Christian spirit of helpfulness and guidance was found. In these restless days and with the greater case of travel young men, to a greater extent than ever before ; were wandering from their homes seeking new fields in which to settle. Especially in the dominion were they being transferred in their businesses from one city to another. These made great use of the Y.M.C.A. hostels, and no fewer than 520 passed through tho Dunedin hostel last year. An endeavour was made to reach out a helping hand to all these homeless and very often friendless young men who come to them, and to interest them in things worth while. They had many evidences from residents of marked appreciation of the kindness shown, especially by the matron, Mrs Chapman, who took a motherly interest in them, especially in cases of sickness. (Applause.) The boys’ department was a tremendously important part of the work, and a great amount of really hard work would require to be put into this department to meet the present wants and conditions of boys, who, through want of employment, were having such difficult times. A great _ work is open to them here, and their supreme efforts should be made to attract tho boys so that their spare time might be filled with useful and helpful activities of body, mind, and spirit. A youth should bo optimistic and full of hope, with trust in himself and his fellows. They should try to guide him, that these might not bo lost to him by adverse conditions. Tho chairman added that be desired to thank all firms and citizens who had so generously subscribed to tho funds, without whoso aid this work in the city would be impossible; also to tho Press for its most generous help. Personally ho was most grateful to the directors for the great amount of work and attention they had given so ungrudgingly to the affairs of tho association.

The motion was seconded by Mr J. 11. Fairbaini, who on behalf of his codirectors paid a tribute to the work of the president. A movement that could attract such men as those in the different offices of the Y.M.C.A, must bo exceptional, lie said, and in this community there was much to be thankful for in respect of those who had come forward to assist vith the work. When a youth left school and was ready to start out in the world of business there were various movements ready to give him a helping hand. He referred to vocational guidance, which had as_ its object itho fitting of boys lor various kinds (if work. A small but energetic section of the community was at present pleaching Communism, and there was fertile soil among the young folk for this to spread. The association should endeavour to stop this trend by taking the youths in hand before it vas too late. He congratulated the director of the boys’ work department upon his success. Due prominence was given to sport in this department, but along with many other items sutdviig was encouraged. The report was adopted. FINANCE. Mr C. J. Da rracott (treisurer) moved the adoption of the financial statement, and said that it nas extremely fortunate that, in spite of the hard times, there was only a small deficit. Early in the year it wis seen that difficulties were ahead, so it was decided to effect economics. Plans were being made for the new jear to try to come nearer the budget. Mr J, M'Ara seconded the motion and paid a tribute to the work:of the treasuicr. The statement was adopted. ELECTION OF DIRECTOIS. Retiring directors were re-elected as follows; Messrs J, B, jWatirs* h

M‘Ara, N. Mollison, H. P. Desmoulins, J. Dove, and J. M'George. VOTES OF THANKS. Proposed by Mr W. E. Smith, votes of thanks to officers and the ladies for their services were passed. Messrs F. Watt and H. P. West provided a vocal solo and a recitation respectively, and supper was served at tho close of the meeting.