Y.M.C.A.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume II, Issue 122, 8 May 1912, Page 5

Y.M.C.A.

HASTINGS BRANCH

The meeting held in the Hastings Council Chambers last night under the auspices of the V.M.C.A. was a decided success. There was a good attendance and great enthusiasm was displayed. Mr. E. T. James occupied the ehair. The meeting opened with prayer bv the Rev. P. Ramsav.

The chairman gave a short address outlining the work that had already been accomplished, and the plans for the future. He said the directors had experienced great difficulty in securing a suitable man for the position of general secretary, and it was not until the general secretary of the Invercargill Association, Mr. T. B. McKinney, recommended Mr. King that the difficulty was overcome. The directors had undertaken a deal of responsibility, financially and otherwise. The new rooms were admirably adopted for present requirments. The directors had been careful to safeguard the financial position, and for this purpose had deeded to ask several of the donors of large amounts to allow their gifts to be utilised to finance the present scheme. Several had already consented, and others were yet to be approachd. This would ensure that the money already in hand would be used for the purpose for which itwas given, i.e., to erect and equip a new building, the association thus keeping faith with the public. It should be clearly understood that the present plan was not in any way a substitute for the original one. The directors had resolved to push on with the building scheme at the earliest possible date. Mr. James then introduced the general secretary to the members, who gave him a hearty cheer. In reply, Mr. King said that he was glad to have this opportunity of getting in' touch with the members. He wished them to look upon him as one of themselves. He would see that there was no “snobbishness” in the association. “Brothers All” was to be their motto. The association could only be a success just as far as the members were willing to undertake responsibilities and to co-oper-ate with the directors. It was up to them to do their part. It was resolved that the opening of the rooms take place either on Thursday, May 30th, or Wednesday, June 3rd, and that it take the form of an official opening in the afternoon and a social evening. Messrs. H. G. Reeves, L. P. Millar, J. Fear, D. Haining, and T. C.! Williams were elected as a committee to make the necessary arrangements.

A working bee of 12 was elected to whitewash the walls of the gymnasium and billiard room and to do several other things with the object of saving expense. The following agreed to undertake this work: — Messrs. Millar, Haining, McClaren, Harding, Mitchell, Fear, Reeves, A. Mitehell, Charles Campbell. J. W. Clapham, Campbell and Paul. Messrs. Denton, T. C; Williams, J. Fear, J. W. Clapham, and Stanton were elected as a sports committee. Several cheques were handed in during the evening. Th general secretary will be pleased to receive cheques from any person who would like to make a special donation towards defraying the initial expenses. Members’ application forms were distributed. The members present promised to make a special canvass for members. Forms can be obtained from the secretary at his office in Station street, Hastings. (Postal address Box 159.) At the close of the meeting the Sports Committee met and elected Mr. T. C. Williams as secretary. It was resolved to form a harriers club, and arrangements are now being made to give effect to the resolution.