Y.M.C.A. OF PALMERSTON NORTH

Manawatu Times, Volume LIII, Issue 6568, 27 March 1928, Page 9

Y.M.C.A. OF PALMERSTON NORTH

Ninth Annual Report

TO BE PRESENTED TO THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING ON FRIDAY

The following is the ninth annual report, to be presented to the Annual General Meeting on Friday, 30th March, 1928. The Board of Directors have ideasure in presenting t» members and friends the report of our eighth year of working. We feel thankful to God that we have been permitted to operate for another year among the young men and boys of the community, and trust that our efforts to build Manhood through physical, mental, social and spiritual service may have contributed something toward the extension of the Kingdom of God. Membership.

There has been a splendid increase in the membership roll, especially in the Boys’ Division. At the end of the winter season the total membership was 602, as compared with 404 last year, the rise being due mainly to the adding of new boys and new sustained to the roll. 224 boys have been attending the weekly classes out of the 1550 of our community, or 1 of every 7, and this number promises to grow. In addition there arc 145 young ladies and girls in the physical classes, and 35 ladies of the Ladies’ Auxiliary making a very wi'do circle of community contact. Board of Directors. The thanks of all Association members arc due to the group of men who undertake the ■ responsibility of controlling the affairs, and who as busy men lind time to servo on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee. Especial tribute should be paid to our President, Mr. Jas, Wallace; and out' Chairman of Directors, Mr. T. E. Hoddcr, for their continued devotion io and interest in all phases of the Association work. Staff.

During the year the staff has un- \ clergone several changes. In March last i' Mr. George Harkncss, who had been with out Association for a number of . years, left us to take up a position as General Secretary to the Nelson Association. In July, Mr. D. Murray was ' appointed to fill the vacancy and is doing good work. Our thanks arc due to Mr. Woods, Physical Director, for the great success achieved in his department—larger memberships, greater interest, and efficiency. Mr. F. M. Koesing, our General Secretary, is now leaving us, and it is with deep regret wc accept his resignation. Mr. Keosing has done splendid work for the Assoc- ' iation, especially in the Boys' Dcpart- | ment, where he has not only consider--1 ably increased the membership, but brought the Department up to a very high standard. He has proved him- ; self a friend and a companion to the youth of Palmerston North—a very real asset to the town. Mr. Alfred F. Kaufmann, of Sydney, has been appointed General Secretary and takes up his duties about the middle of March. Finance Report. The position of favour which tho Association holds now in the community was well demonstrated when, in the middle of this most difficult winter, a number of Board members and friends sought to increase the list of sustaining members by means of a wide visitation of prospective supporters. 120 of these responded, with the result that the Association has almost paid its way. The members have again been doing their utmost to raise funds to supplement the annual membership income. The three-night gym. carnival in the Opera House gave record nett proceeds, while a one dayRed Triangle Carnival realised a satisfactory amount. The full statement of the financial position will be found in the Balance Sheet. Special Religious Activities.

The “C" in our nanio is the fundamental purpose of our being. Yet it is impossible to convey in words and statistics the spiritual service “in His name" rendered by the Association to all it touches, or to describe in terms of activity that Christian influence which permeates our Brotherhood. However, an increasing number of organised religious activities are growing in our programme. In May, the annual “Mother’s Day’’ was celebrated by a large group of boys and young men, taking the form of an afternoon service followed by tea and a sing-song. The annual World Week of Prayer was opened with a combined meeting with T.W.C.A. members in the Lounge, and a largo number' of members joined in the week’s studies following this. The Leaders’ Corps of the Gymnasium has observed its devotional period at weekly meetings. The spiritual “square’’ of the boys’ work programme, through its group Biblc-study, and its challenge to boys to cultivate regularity in Church attendance and personal devotions, has been a source of strength. Both during the year and at the summer camp every opportunity has boon used to link up our boys with boys all over the globe in the World Study of Jesus Christ, promoted by the Y.M.C.A. World Headquarters at Geneva as a result of the Helsingfors Conference. Through these and many other channels that constantly present themselves, the Association is maintaining its touch with the Source of Power through which alone it can bring life jinorc abundantly to young men and boys. Social Activities. A splendid spirit of comradeship has prevailed in the social life of the Association. The monthly socials, the Saturday fire-side evenings, the banquets, inter-Association visits, and the constant attraction of the wireless set have all fostered this fellowship. During (he year the Ladies’ Auxiliary have added much to the attractiveness of the Lounge by providing lamp•hades, re-covering chairs, etc. Spoc-

ial events of the year include a grand party to celebrate the eighth birthday of the Association, special visits to Wellington and Wanganui Associations, and the entertainment of a visiting Basket-ball team from Wellington, some fancy dress socials, and the Red Triangle Fair in December. The Billiard Ladder has provided some keen competition among enthusiasts this year. The Y.M.C.A. Entertainers again provided the fun at the annual Gym. Carnival. Certainly the fine social atmosphere of the Association is one of the greatest contributions wc can make to the young people of the membership.

Community Service. During the past year the Association building, staff and equipment have been at the service of the community and of the district. other organisations have made use of this privilege, including churches, schools, clubs, societies and sports bodies. Also a constant stream of people seek out the sign of the Ecd Triangle for a host of purposes. In every case the hand of friendship has been extended, and satisfaction given wherever possible. Ladies’ Auxiliary. The Board again wish to emphasise their keen appreciation of the services of the Ladies' Auxiliary, and express their deep gratitude of Association members for the help given and tho splendid spirit of the giving. Press. The thanks of the Association is again due to the newspapers for their willingness to keep our- affairs before the public—a service most helpful to such an institution as ours. Finally, the Board would express its appreciation to all who have helped in this year of working, by personal services, by goodwill, and by financial assistance. \Yc believe that the ‘Y.M.' of Palmerston North has made an adequate return for these investments in stronger, more sensitive, and more reverent manhood. Boys’ Work.

Already one out of every seven boys in our town arc members of the Boys' Division, this after a few short years of working. The roll strength at the end of the winter’season was: ployed boys, 42 secondary school boys, 107 primary school boys, and 27 newspaper boys, totalling 224 boys under the age of IS. Prom the end of March until December, the boys gathered weekly of afternoons, evenings, and on Saturday mornings in their groups for various aspects of a “four-square” programme—of physical, intellectual, spiritual, and service activities. Some of the groups have been divided into clubs under young men as leaders, and a period of Bibic-study preceded the regular gymnasium classes. A happy feature of the growing work is the promotion from,year to year of groups of boys; from primary to secondary or employed groups, and finally at the age of 18 into the senior department. Perha'ps the finest piece of boys’ work done this year has been the building up of the. Newspaper Boys’ Club, meeting Saturday mornings. These boys are “'under-privileged” and hence the opportunity to get a programme of healthy activity and an interest taken in them should do much to make up for the handicap they arc under through force of circumstances. The club was led by the General Secretary, and the regular programme of indoor and outdoor games, sports, talks, etc., has been varied with such outings as a tramp across country, and a well-remembered' motor-lorry trip organised by Mr. H. J. Simmonds. Another work akin to this is the “Big Brother" Movement, by which boys who are under the supervision of the Child Welfare Department are handed over to the care of the Y.M.C.A. Only some 6 cases have needed such help this year; which number, compared with that in other torvns, marks our town as being splendidly free from juvenile delinquency. Co-operation has been maintained as far as possible with the Flock House boys tvho are stationed in this distric' or who are visiting the Headquarters Office. The Mother and Sou Banquet and Father and Son Banquet both proved record occasions,, the numbers present being 190 and 220 as compared with 160 and ISO last year. The speakers were Mr. It. M. Brasted, National Sec. Y.M.C.A., and Col. C. G. Bowles In order that employed boys attending night-school classes might have the benefit of the gymnasium, a class for employed boys was organised in the tea hours on Tuesdays, and a hot drin,k was supplied to have with their tea before leaving for the Technical school. Included in the year’s programme were many special events such as a concert, at which a, scries of plays'written by the boys themselves were splendidly presented; impromptu speech evenings; readings from plays and literature; also talks on such subjects as “Maori History and folk-tales”, “Climbing Euapohu”, “Pacific problems”, “Jesus—the Great Hero” (weekly studies). Basket-ball proved a popular activity in the gymnasium this year, being played weekly with keen competition by the various clubs. Both the Swimming and Tennis Clubs have had a junior membership, also the Life-saving classes. Our chief summer activity was the fourth annual “Camp Pohangina” which was a record in numbers and enthusiasm, 42 leaders and boys being present. Several poor boys had their fees paid by interested business men. All boys but one stayed in camp for the fortnight, and, favoured with beautiful weather, the fullest programme of “four-square” activities was entered into. Such a brief report as this can only be the merest outline, but one must imagine all these events being carried on with all the zest and enthusiasm of growing boyhood. The results cannot be seen or measured immediately; they must bo looked for in a finer and more stalwart manhood'in the years to come. Physical Department.

This, the fifth year of organised activities within the physical department, has easily been its most fruitful season. In every class operating, there is an increase over that of the previous year. The members have taken keen interest in all activities, and at all times have responded loyally to the call for service from the Association. During tile past year 471 members, including business men, seniors, young men. boys, ladies and girls, received regular weekly instruction under the personal supervision of the

physical director. In all, 324 class sessions have been held. Tire work of the department has definitely gained tho public confidence, and has ’ proved a real asset to the com- . munity. Several children suffering from various physical disabilities were enrolled in classes for remedial treat- , ment. Our annual Gymnastic Carnival i was bold in the Opel a House for a 3- ; night season, and was tho most suc- [ cessful yet produced. Packed houses . witnessed the 250 performers in a pro- ; gramme which displayed well the value . of our physical work. Wo owe the . success to the enthusiastic work of the classes, to tho army of voluntary workers, and to the ladies’ Auxiliary who helped behind the scenes and in 1 front of the house. The members of ; the Leaders’ Corps.and Physical Com ; mittec have consistently given service throughout the season with the result > that the work of tho department runs ' efficiently. The opening gym. social ' and closing gym, banquet were both ; successful, the attendances being 160 • and 263; also, under the auspices of the Ladies’ Auxiliary, the members of 1 the Saturday morning classes were given a party at the close of the season. Tho gold medal presented by the physii cal director for the best all-round man i in the gym,, was awarded to G. Eos- ; ter, and that presented by Mr. I. Gorrand for tho most improved man, to , C. McMinn. The Tramping Club organised three tours during the year. At Easter 12 Hampers visited the National Park, climbing Tougariro, Ngaruhoe, Euapchu, and seeing the Ketetahi hot springs. On Labour Day weekend four Hampers crossed the Tararuas with Mr. Tregcar of the Tararua Club as guide. Pelorus and Queen Charlotte Sounds were the objective of the Xmas Holidays tour over a period of two weeks. All trips were thoroughly enjoyed. ,Basket-ball has been taken up enthusiastically, both in the senior and boys’ division. For some months four senior basket-ball teams competed for the Basket-ball Shield, G. Foster’s team winning by a sma ■ margin. The winning team were entertained to a tea, at which 63 were present. In June our senior representatives visited Wellington to .bo beat 1 en narrowly by their senior team. Tho return match played at Palmerston North was won by our representatives, who showed great improvement.’ A match was also played against the Canadian soccer footballers, a spectacular game ending 12-11 in favour of the visitors. At tho invitation of .tho Wanganui Y.M., a rugby football team from our gym, visited Wanganui, only to lose tho “Eanfurther Shield”; hospitable entertainment followed tho match. Assistance was given to the Gisborne and Levin Associations in their physical work. Mr. McKenzie was sent from the former for train ing and Mr. Eyre, of our loaders’ corps, was appointed part-time instructor to the latter. The Tennis Club is having a good season this year, members making much more use of tho courts. The Technical and Carncott schools each use tho courts one afternoon a week. The Swimming and Life-saving Club, under the leadership of Mr. W. Eyre, is having a most successful season, and is at present one of the leading clubs in the district. The club specialises in tho teaching of life-saving, classes being held continually during the season. It is with pleasure that wo are able, to report that the Eoyal Life Saving Society has awarded Proficiency Certificates, the Bronze Medallion, and Award- of Merit to the following members: E. Haddou, S. Wilson, C. McMinn, G. Young, J. Griggs, T. Twigge, K. Eobinson, B Harvey, G. McMinn. Mr. Eyre., who was responsible for their training, has been awarded the Hon. Instructor’s and Teacher’s Certificates, the highest award possible. The swimming carnival of the club, held at the Municipal Baths oh 15th February, was an outstanding . success, there being 553 of tho public present. After keenly contested Club races, tho Eyre Cup was won by K. Eobinson. C. McKenzie holds the record time for the Manawatu 100 yards Championship, E. < Fletcher the 100 yards Intermediate Championship. The Physical Committee wish to pay tribute to tho services rendered by Mrs. W. H. Boon as an hon. pianist in the department.. At the request of the Kotary Club, our class members took part in various items of entertainment during the Eotary Conference. In closing, we wish to state our purpose to be the development of bodily efficiency as an essential part of the building of Christian manhood.