Y.M.C.A.

Gisborne Times, Volume LXVIII, Issue 10740, 10 November 1928, Page 11

Y.M.C.A.

THREE YEARS’ WORK. IN GISBORNE.

A PLEASING RECORD

“While all our hopes have not been realised, we have had a full measure of sympathetic support, and have attained a pleasing record of successful work. There are of.course, greater possibilities ahead, and we feel that our association has a very distinct service to render the boyhood and young manhood of this district.’* Tlius .states the report of the Gisborne and East Coast branch of the Young Men’s 'Christian Association, presented to the first general meeting of members, the, paper covering a period of three years-. The report'explains at- the-outset that as the present board of directors had been in office for three years, the first year as a provisional cohimittee by sumption of national headquarters, and the last two years, as a' constituted board i°r the purpose of carrying- out the reorganisation lof the association, the report necessarily covered that period.

. 3he report goes on to state* that the ™petus given to the reorganisation oi the association was largely due- to the men who had Tieen responsible for the work during the past eight years. They planned the present administration, and in September, 1925, the hoard was sanctioned by national headquarters as follows: President, Mr. 'Ohas. Matthews; vice-presidents, Dr. A. L. Singer and Mr. C. Tatter,sfield; directors, Messrs. S. H. -Phil--'lP's;. S. O. Clare, C. A. Smith, S. Muir, J. O. Hardy, E. J. Halford) H. P. Forster, P. W. Bushnell, F. H. Forge, F. T. Robinson and F. W. Nolan, During the period Messrs. H. R-. Kendon, M. Nicolson, R. W. Halbert and A. W. Hall were appointed to vacancies on t-hei board.

“The generous and hearty support extended by the citizens of town and country has greatly assisted the directors in undertaking the work accomplished. The principal effort was the financial campaign in February, 1926, to secure funds for the erection of a. building. Our present building is the result of that effort. In all, £4325 was raised by promises and cash donations, which was considered very satisfactory in view of the extremely bud season experienced throughout the’ district. The work of the ladies’ committee, who provided and superintended the luncheons during the week of the campaign, is deserving of special mention, for their work was arduous. Red Triangle Day each year lias been a most encouraging success, as showing the sympathetic interest of the public in our work. Last year from the total raised in this appeal we handed" over £l3 to the Mayor's unemployment reliof fund. At the end of this year we organised, with the help of'the ladies’ committee, a spring fair salo of work, etc.,,- which was very successful, thanks to the- generous response of members and interested friends. Last December a sheep drive was commenced on tile East Coast, when approximately 700 sheep were promised, but owing to an unforeseen circumstance only -520 sheep were collected and disposed of. It is hoped to arrange for the colleetilon of the balance this season. A start was also made late this year to organise a sheep drive around Gisborne, but wo bad to bold this over until next year. A most encouraging response was received from those interviewed, and it is expected that- this area will respond as generously as the East Coast contributors.

“As the result of the financial campaign held in February, 1926, the directors erected the present portion of the building, which is still incomplete, costing £3500, to cater especially for the growing gymnasium classes, and hoys’ work. Although the other activities are greatly curtailed through lack of suitable provision, the building has proved exceptionally serviceable. The greatestneed experienced at present is the lack of lounge and- other social facilities for our intermediate and senior members. The erection of this section of the building will stimulate membership and therelty provide the association with an added opportunity for service to young men, who are now not being catered for to any extent, MEMBERSHIP. “There are 202 names on the membership roll, allowing for removals and resignations. This is a- very satisfactory number, considering that we have not held an organised membership campaign, hut a personal canvass only. The junior membership is always a fluctuating quantity, mainly owing to increasing studies preventing many boys for a time from taking part in the activities of the association. We have at present 71 sustaining members, and we aim at reaching 300, who are required if we are to carry on an effective work. It is to Trie remembered that the association’s community work caters for hundreds of boys and. young men who are not members, but who come within the scone of our activities. A very pleasing feature is the splendid assistance rendered by our member ■ship in the building and ground improvement. The work of excavation under the building and the laying out- of the grounds was largely carried out by enthusiastic boys and young men. We are indeed fortunate in that whatever work we> require to lie carried out our members arc ever ready and willing to should--er the responsibility. GENERAL ACTIVITIES “Physical.—-The importance of physical work in the programme of the association has been consistently recognised, and it is pleasing to record continued progress in this department. There has been an average, for the three years under review,' of 230 pupils enrolled for each season, and the standard of exercise has risen steadily, especially apparatus work. This year we gave a display at Tolaga Bay, when 50$qf our senior pupils gave a demonstration before a packed audience. We clo not aim at spectacular work so much as tlio most approved and latest, bodybuilding exercises, in which all are able to take part, and which provide the greatest permanent good. The services rendered by the honorary instructors, Messrs. H. F. Forster and E. J. Halford, deserve special mention. These gentlemen for eight, years have undertaken this responsible honorary position, and we owe them our heartiest thanks for their enthusiastic and loyal co-operation. We also record our appreciation of the work of Messrs. C. A. Goldsmith and E. W. McKenzie, who have carried out the arduous duties of leaders of various classes of work during the last two years. “Religious.— I The rohgioufi. life ot the association has been quietly but consistently carried on. As we have practically no senior active member-, ship, owing to lack of suitable accommodation , the main programme has been among tlie boys, who constitute the majority of our members. However, we have had tor the seniors missionary addrcsseji, and a special Sunday evening service which were all well attended. Bible study for group leaders has been regularly held during the winter, and also *. combined service with the Y.WC.A. during the World .Fellowship Week. Bible study in connection with our Christian citizenship training, programme is a regular weekly feature of our boys’ work. During the last two years 60 boys have received Christian training through Bible study under senior leadership, not only in * the building but oil all .outdoor excursions during the summer,

and .at our boys’ camps. It is our earnest desire to extend this work so that we may carry out a full Y.M.O.A. programme catering for body, mind and spirit. “Y.B.M.C.—In June, 1926, it was decided to form a club to he called ‘The Young Business, Men’s Club.’ The organisation was proceeded with, the result being that a very fine club was carried on, meetings being held fortnightly in Mr. Findlay’s, tea rooms. An interesting programme of activities was arranged which gave full scope, to the abilities of the members. '.Leading business and professional men gave their assistance willingly in giving lectures on all subjects. An orchestra was also formed, and this became quite an acquisition. In March, 1927, the club commenced to meet in our own building, but it soon became apparent that social work was difficult to carry out in the space available. In view of these, and other difficulties, we have held over operations until conditions in the building improve by the erection of suitable accommodation. The members of this club, however, have been responsible for splendid service to the association and they still continue to carry out their motto: ‘Service before Self.' ”

The report comments further upon the improvements effected to the grounds, stating that the bank fronting the river has been considerably increased in area by shifting, soil from under the building- The finishing touches were carried out under the supervision of the borough, engineer, and included the erection of the breastwork along the river front. It is the intention to make the bank of the river in keeping with the locality. BOYS’ WORK. Dealing with boys’ work, the report states Hi at the association’s contact with boys has increased in every way. In December, 1926, the first camp was held on Mr. W. S. Black’s property, where 19 seniors and 23 hoys were under canvas, tlio camp lasting three weeks, _ and the boys “had the time of their lives.” During Easter a cycle tour to Opotiki and Oliiwa beach was undertaken, nine young men with the general secretary enjoying the, strenuous exercise. Tire work catered for physical, intellectual, - spiritual and social needs; In 1926 the association organised its Boy Scout troop and Cub pack under the control of Scoutmaster T. McMurrav and Gubin aster C. Bloomfield, and it was pleasing to report that the troop had grown considerably, the roll being 37 Scouts and 25, Cubs, who had made good progress in their respective training. The troop was responsible for the, cleaning and upkeep of the Cook Memorial, and had done their self-appointed task with commendable interest. In© Cub pack last- year won the Nasmith Shield for highest points for general training, but they would have to work strenuously to retain it.

One of the most appreciated privileges the association had to offer was its library, which had been gradually added to' hv the timely gifts of good hooks given by junior and senior members and augmented by friends in the district. There were now nearly 400 volumes. The winter season was usually the time for [.social work, and the. association had not neglected this phase of activity among the hoys. One of the most enjoyable and successful functions carried out m connection with tlio hoys’ work wa9 the Father and Son banquet held iff Soptombor, 1927, when 140 fathers and sons did full justice to the menu provided by the ladies’ committee. The first exhibition of general hobbies for bovs was held in October, 1927, when 150 entries were received in all classes, the display arousing very complimentary remarks. The familiar Red Triangle of the Y.M.C.A. was to be seen at all military camps where marquees were erected to provide social recreation for the men after they had completed their training. These centres were the happy rendezvous of everyone >n camp, where provision was -made for games, reading, and w’riting, a gramophone, piano and even a radio set being provided. It had been the association’s usual custom to help boys and young men to find employment when it received requests to do so. This service had increased in view of the amount or unemployment. The association had placed numbers of youths in country positions all round the district, and they were giving satisfaction. This was a service the association appreciated doing, but it was not always easy to find boys who were willing to go in for country work.

In conclusion, the report states:— “The directors desire to record their thanks to the public for its support, to the Press for the excellent reports given from time* to time, to the ladies for their ready help at all times, and to all honorary workers who have rendered such invaluable service during the past three years. The directors believe that.the association stands for all that is worth while and true in the lives of young men and Coys. They consider that- the Y.M.U.A. has a. definite service to render to the community, and therefore appeals for a greater measure of support for the coming year. The salient features of our work are brought forward in this report, but there are countless small services rendered which cannot be stated, but which are done in the usual round of everyday work. We, therefore, look forward in hope, realising that the^future holds still further possibilities of fruitful sendee, and trusting in God, seek His blessing and guidance m the, work which we know is for the upbuilding and strengthening of the character of the young men and boys ot the district.” FINANCIAL POSITION.

The report on the accounts for the year ending September 30, prepared by the treasurer, Mr. M. Nicolson, contains the following:—

Gymnasium account. —The surplus in this account amounts to £65 15s 8d as compared with £SL 4s 9d in the previous year, an increase ot £l4 10s Hd. The expenses are greater, and the subscriptions (show a falling off as compared with the previous year but the income from the gymnasium displays held during the year in Gisborne and Tolaga Bay resulted in increased revenue amounting to £24 as compared with the year ended September 30. 1927. General income and expenditure account: ino main items of expenditure over, the past two years, are shown in the following statement (the figures being for 1927 and 1928 in' tliah order): Salaries, £391, £358; rates £44. £66; interest, £lOl, £88; advertising, printing and stationary, £iU, lighting, £l3, £l4: telephone rental and bureaux, £l3, £l4. Boys camp: Last year there was a loss oi £l/ m connection, with the boy!’ camp, ana the board decided that no camp would be held during the year ended September 30, 1928. Military, camp: In this year’s accounts there is a P item of £4 13s, 6d- charged to military camp, but this amount is more than affset by a, donation of £8 13s by the officers and men attending, the camp. Buffet: The buffet lias not reached the revenue-producing stage, ancl there was a loss under the heading or £5 14s during the year. Legal costs: Legal costs amounting to £l2 were charged in this account last, year, but no expenditure under this. heading appears in this year’s accounts. The total expenditure, including depreciation, amounts to £604, a decrease of £B7, as compared with the expenditure for the previous- year. On the credit side, of this account is shown the surplus from tlie gymnasium account. £65, and the other terns of income, are set out in'detail.

The sheep drive and the spring failheld during the year were very successful, the net proceeds being £348 and £SO respectively. The credit balance of tthe income and expenditure account, £146, is considerable improvement on the accounts for the previous year, which showed a deficit of £436. Fitzherherti street section.—The value of the Fitzherbert street section is now shown as £1498 5s sd. "Whitaker street section: This section, was sold during the year for £llß 15s net. Building: In last, year’s accounts the total cost of the building was shown as £3570 7s 3d. During the year additional payments made on the building account totalled £3B 16s 4d. No provision has been made for depreciation on the building. Gymnasium equipment: Additional gymnasium equipment, costing £l4 10s Bd, was purchased during the year, and the usual 5 per cent, depreciation has been provided for. Sundry creditors: All tlio amounts owing to sundry creditors as at September 30, 1927, £214, have Been paid oil’. The, total liabilities, of the association ar© now £I4BO, as compared with £1370 at the corresponding dat© last year. Accumulated funds account. —To tlio balance as at September 30, .1927, £3974, has been added the building fund receipts for the year, £293, :ou th© credit balance from 1 tlie general income and expenditure account, £146, and deducted is the Joss on the sale of the Whitaker "troet section, £Bl. The balance of 'his account b now shown as £1302. The building fund receipts, which have been contributed for the purpose o ferectilng the building, cannot be regarded as ordinary income'.

CHILD WELFARE

Under the heading or “Child "Welfare,” the report states: “This special and important branch of service entered into by the association in April, 1926, has assumed such proportions that it is now a work that occupies a considerable amount of time. The association, realising the need of rendering a service to the boy who is inclined to become antisocial in his tendencies, undertook to place their secretary at the disposal of the Child Welfare Department for this work. During tlie period stated the calls made upon tlie secretary have increased to an alarming degree, which was not, expected when we allowed the appointment. The prelimirtary investigations, court sessions, the time given in supervision of hoys, and furnishing reports io the department, have unlortunately made it necessary io review the matter. Therefore it, has been considered necessary to withdraw mir sanction for our. secretary to act in an official capacity, so that his time mnv he more fully occupied in lus own work. However, we have intimated that we will do the usual Y.M.C.A. older brother work of supervising boys who bnvo boon, pi noon unoior supervision.”