MEMORIAL Y.M.C.A.

Hutt News, Volume 6, Issue 20, 18 October 1933, Page 5

MEMORIAL V.M.C.A.

GIFT TO HUTT VALLEY. .

A striking momunment of the regard of the .New Zealand Division for the work of the V.M.C.A. at the present ,is being planned for erection in the Hutt Valley. It is appropriate that it should take the form of an institution which will serve the ideals ol the young men of this district whose young men were so prominent in 1914 to 1918. The Valley is fortunate to be chosen &9 the site of this memorial and will accept the responsibility it entails gladly and with a sense of fellowship. By those wh,o know the needs of our young men it has been welcomed as capable o$ making a real contribution to their welfare and training—physically, mentally, and spiritually. A number of public spirited men of tower Hutt and Petone have already offered their hearty support and it is undoubted that whenthe public meet' i&gs are called to inaugurate the Association there will be a -warm response. Equipped fully and erected without; ajny debt to be met by the district it will be an asset which any community would be glad to have. The local men of the N.Z. Division are taking very especial interest and wish to see a worthy memorial ia View ys the fact that it is a national movement. The plans will shortly be available for pub-'

lie inspection.

The site is at the corner of Manchester and Cuba Street, Petone.

Details of the hall were discussed at a meeting of representative citizens held in the Hutt Valley in August. Mr. H. W. Kersley said that the two boroughs, containing c total population of about 26,000 and an important industrial community, offered a groat field of service and a great need fo* Institutions such as the V.M.C.A. There would be no difliculty in regard to finance, as the premises Avould be handed over free of debt.

Speaking as cjjainuan of the Bible Class Union of the 'Hutt Valley, MrJ, S. Reid said that members of the Boy Scouts and Toe H were. brought'i together to do social work, u*id there'l had been trouble in finding avenues of service for them. The V.M.C.A. would iill this need. As to the site, it would hot be possible to find a section which iwould serve both Petoue and Lower Hutt, but a site had been obtained hoar the ramp (the boundary of the two boroughs), and hie fears had disappeared. The site was on the bus' route, • and would servo Moffra and the closely populated part of "IPetone, including the Ava Railway Station and Alicetown. The provision of shops was 1 wise. He did not think a more suitable site could be obtained*than that proposed, and he suggested that the municipal bodies might assist in the scheme. • * ' The following resolution was carried unanimously: "That having heard the representation of members of the National Executive Committee of Y.M.€.A's of New Zealand, this meeting decides to establish an association to be known as the Hutt Valley -YM.C.A., and hereby makes application to the National Council that the ■Hutt Memorial Fund be expended on ithe necessary building site, and equipj intent for such association." j

At a meeting of the provisional comjmittee in September the -following were appointed provisional directors: SRevs. J. C. Loan J. T. Crozier, J. E. Xopdell, Messrs J. R. Carey senr., J. C. Burns, V. A. Noble, Carey junr., J. S. Reid, W. B. Nicholson, H. W. Kersley, J; S. Barton, and J. W. Andrews. The following members of the National Executive Committee >were ap ; pointed to act as advisory directors: Messrs C. S. Falconer, A. H. Wallace, C. R>. Edmond and H. D. Grocott.

•Pealing with tbe history of the trust fund, Mr C. R. Edmond, who was leader of the Y.M^C.A. serving with the Army of Occupation, states that when the New Zealand Division arrived in Germany at Christmas, 1918, they were ■welcomed by the New Zealand V.M.C.A who had established a refreshment booth just opposite the detraining point.

At this time the suggestion was made by certain members of the division that many of the soldiers would appreciate the opportunity of contri■buting toward tho erection of a ■Memorial' Y.M.C^A Hut in New Zealand. This suggestion was taken up, and as a result approximately £1300 was, raised from the different units of the division. A portion otf this money was donated by ..battalion canteens as they closed down prior to demobilisation. This money was transferred to New Zealand by the National Council of Y.M.O.A's , who created a special trust fund to be operated by Major-General Sir Andrew ! Russell, Officer Commanding New Zealand Division, Mr. J. L. Hay, secretary of New -Zealand V.M.C.A Overseas, Mr W. C. Hemery, treasurer of the National Council of V.M.C.A >s.

During' the intervening years the money bad been carrying interest, and ! the amount now available was £2100. I The Convention of Y.M.CA's of New Zealand held in Chriatchurch in March last resolved that the Memorial Hut should be erected in the Hutt Valley. This wa9 considered a suitable location as most of the men who went overseas during the war were trained at Trentham, and passed through the Hutt Valley on their war to the troopship.

On Labour Day the 23rd inst, a holiday will be observed at the Lower Hutt Post Offie. TEhe early morning clearances of the .street.-boxes will be made, and a despatch of correspondence to 'Wellington will be made up at 6.45 a.m. and 8 a.m respectively. On Saturday evening, •.; the , 21st idem, between the hours of 8.15 and 8.45 p.m a delivery of correspondence will be made at tke ( Postmen's Branch. The Telegraph Office will be closed.