YOUNG MEN’S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION OF F.N., INC.

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6869, 26 March 1929, Page 10

YOUNG MEN’S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION OF F.N., INC.

Tentli :iniiuul report:—lo bo presented to the annual general meeting un Tuesday, 2Gth March HUD at S n.m. In presenting this, the tentli annual report, the directors desire to acknowledge a deeper interest and keener appreciation bv the general public of the ideals and aims of the Association. As servants of the great architect, we arc endeavouring to build into the lives and characters of the voting manhood of this community those qualities which fire cnlculiitoVl to develop the highest ideals of citizenship. It will be observed from the follow-, iug report Hint every worthy , side- of e voung man's character is cared for;—The Physical, (the basis of a full and vigorous life). The Mental (the dilection of the man's mental faculties to the service of his .fellows). The Moral (the directing and fixing of the highest, moral standard so much needed ill these modern days of temptation and danger) and the Spiritual, (transcending all the above and setting a high and imperishable, goal and providing motive power for all the above). All spell Service. Board of Directors.

Under the presidency of Air. Janies Wallace the following gentlemen have this year been iu office: —T. K. 11 odder (Chairman). A. liopwood (Vice-Presi-dent), ,T. O'. Young (Vice-President). J. E. Ounninghamo (Treasurer), G. 1. McGregor. J. A. Grant, J. Murray, D. 1. -Mian, F. E. B. Chin, J. 11. Dick, ,T. »). Whitehead, C. E. Histcd. S, Kingston, J. Belwyn, T. Hunt and I. GerranJ. Staff. The stuff at present consists of A. F. Kan f maun (General Secretary), O. Woods (Physical Director), aird 1. Twiggo (Assistant, Secretary). Your Board appreciates lo the full the loyalty of the service rendered by these officers. „ Pinar.ee Report. A full statement of the financial position will bo found attached to this report, but. it is well to mention here that the year closes with a profit ot £l4/17/3.‘as compared with losses in previous years. The members have been doing their utmost to raise xunas to supplement the annual membership income. The Three vglit Gym.. Carnival in. the Opera House again ffuve record proceeds, while a one day Ecu Triangle Day realised a very satisfactory amount. Despite the fact that tl.e year has been a strenuous one tor most public institutions, your Directors appreciate the continued and practical support of the citizens. \ Religious Work, The Association is fundamentally a Christian organisation and seeks to permeate all its activities with a strong Christian atmosphere. During the year every effort has been made to uphold this vital principle. The distinction between wliat is commonly understood as the Religious and noil Religious is so subtle that wo hesitate to label one section of Association work as Religious and the other non Religious, lhc whole should reflect the spirit of the Christ to whom we owe allegiance and whom we seek to serve. This ideal has been our objective throughout the year. To permeate all its activities with, a strong, uplifting influence is. what tue Association stands for. It is perhaps then in this indirect way, roucliing lire as it does and projecting its silent influence into the community that the value of the Association as a force tor good in the city becomes apparent. Special Mention must be made ot the. Loaders’ Dedication. Service (tho first of its kind to be held in the Dominion), tho Mothers’ Day Service, when tho address was given by the Rev. John Patterson M.A., of Wanganui, and the Wednesday night Prayer Meetings. Social and Educational Work A splendid spirit of comradeship lias prevailed in the social life of the Association. The monthly socials, and banquets, intcr-Association visits and the attraction of tho wireless set have all fostered this fellowship. While the primary object of the Association is not merely to provide amusement or recreation for its members, yet it is mi* peritive that a licaitliy social life should have a place in the all-round development programme for which the Association stands. Throughout Inc year therefore a strong social work programme lias been maintained, shortly after tho present General Secretary was installed in office the Optimists Club came into being and quickly became one of the chief clubs in the Dominion. Special mention must 1)0 made of tlio splendid community service work which stiffs club undertakes. Limited to members of the Association under the ago of 35, this group.of men taking as their motto "Sunshine, and Service ” meet weekly for dinner and au educational talk. The formation ut this club also materially assists tho educational work, and sets it upon a tinner basis. Several* important, additions have been made to the library which has been reformed, and the stock of magazines considerable added to.

Physical Department. The work of I his Department has Ion" since passed the experimental stage, and now. after six years experience under a full time Physical Director it has demonstrated to the public of Palmerston North its ability to successfully promote a programme of Physical Education for the boys and youth of this community. Tlic briefness ot this report only permits of a few outstanding events being enumerated, but with the knowledge that behind these lie a host of smaller activities striving towards the same goal, it will be realised that a great unique work is being doim 434 members, including business men, seniors, young men, boys, adics and girls, received regular weekly instruction under the personal supervision of the Physical Director m oui community gymnasium. During the past year 347 "class sessions were held with a total attendance of 11,371. Again there has been steady growth in the work. Wc must pay tributes to that line band of young men who servo so faithfully on the Leaders’ Corps and Physical Committee and it is very largely due to their enthusiasm that our work lias been placed on such a high plane. Our Annual (i.vmnastio Carnival held in the Opera House tor a three nights session again scored a most conspicuous success before crowded houses. Tint the nnblic of Palmerston North appreciates the work that is being done is sinvplv demonstrated by their splendid patronage at our Annual Carnivals. Without the fullest co-opera-tion of the 300 members who took part in the programme, the Ladies Auxiiliary and that army of voluntary workers who worked behind the scenes, suecess would be impossible, lo them all wc owe our most grateful thanks. Tin opening Gym. Modal and flic closing Gym. Banquet were both the most successful vet held, tho attendances being ISO and 282 respectively. The gob, medal presented by W. Evre, for the best all round man in tho Physical Department was won by G. Foster and that presented by Cr. Foster for tho most improved was won by 0. Goo/l-

jotin. The membership of the Tennis Club stands at 30 men and 1-1 ladies. The Technical School have the use of the Courts during lunch hours, and one afternoon per week. The Swimming end Life Saving Club, under the leadership of R. Haddon have had their best vear to date, carrying the banner of tho V.M.C.A. far afield. By the request of the local branch of the. Royal Life Saving Society life saving dc-j iiionsf rations were given at tlie follow-1 ing places: Girl Guide camp. Boys camp, I’ohangina, Danncvirkc, Tangi-l-ioana Beach, Foxton and Flock House The activities within the Club have been well maintained during etui) i nights at the Central School baths.. Many of our members have been sue-. ccssful competitors at the various carnivals liel'd throughout the summer months, the most outstanding being the winning of the Weston Smith Rose Bowl by R. Haddon and S. Wilson. The F, re Cup for competition amongst Gluo members was won by J. Wilson by the narrow margin oJ two points, S. "Wilson being the runner up. Successful classes for life saving have been held under the capable direction of T. Twiggo. Members were put. through their haul examination by the examiner appointed by the Royal Life- Saving Society on Thursday -till March at the Central School baths, the following passing tho required tests for the Society s Bronze Medallion: J. Wilson. S. -Beverlcv, A. McDowell. F. Marks, J. Coates, D. Smcllie. 0. Fuller. O. Goodiohn. while the higher Award of -Merit lias also been won by S. Beverley, A McDowell, J. Coates and D. Smell)c T. Twiggo who has been responsible for their training, receives the Royal Lite Saving Societies Hon. Instructors certificate. The club is to be congratulated on the splendid work done towards furthering the knowledge of the accepted methods of rescuing the drowning. The Swimming carnival held in the Municipal Baths on 'Wednesday 13th February was an outstanding success the attendance Vicing between live ami six hundred. Wo have to thank the Central School committee lor the use of its swimming baths m the evening twice weekly for water polo, racing, and the teaching of Life-saving. The Tramping Club t-lffs year organised a tour extending over two weeks during the Christmas vacation into the heart of tho Urcwera Country, taking cn-routc Napier, Wairoa, Hydro Electric scheme tit Lake Waikarcmoana, the almost unknown bush country of the Urnwera, Rotorua. Arapuni and Hamilton. Tu all 24 L miles were travelled by rail. So bv ear, 50 on launch and boat, ami 120 on foot. Basket Ball has shown marked improvement both in the numbers playing and Lhc quality of the games played. Four picked teams from the Senior Class competed for the Basket Ball Shield throughout the season, F. Steinmullcr’s team winning. Our representative team played tho following matches against other Associations during the year, each occasion proving victorious. At Christchurch on Monday, June, ord. 4;> to 1* at AVellington on Saturday. July -Bth, •W to 20, Kilbirnio at. Palmerston North August 25th. (50 to 14, Christchurch at Palmerston North on October --ml- .>4 to Hi. This inter-Association activity creates a line spirit amongst members and does much to cement friendship between Associations. The Physical De, partment is called upon repeatedly both for advice and assistance by other bodies. Through the Rotary Club, Danncvirkc, a most sueccsstui gymnastic display was given bv our members in the Danncvirkc, Town Hall, which gave a great impetus to the boys work of that town, the A. and P. Association at its Royal {Show, and the Choral Society were also assisted bv items from our class members, lhc YWC.A. called upon us to provide instructors for their Physical work and Miss T. Randall, Miss C. Wood and Mr G. Young were selected to take over the classes. The General Secretary o„ tho Y.W.C.A. reports that; their work wms of the utmost value to that, institution. The gymnasium, dressing-rooms and shower rooms have been Hip rough _ ly renovated by a keen group oi senior members and wc can iinhesilaUngL say that our facilities ioi .ull ™ ull “ Physical Education arc unrivalled i the Dominion. Au important additio to the classes this year was a married ladies’ class. Wc hope to .considerably increase their numbers during the cumin!; season. Mr. YV. Evre a product ot our Leaders’ Corps where he received all his training for Y.M.C.A,. y orUnow Physical Director of the Hau.il.on Association. Our thanks arc due to Mr. Cooper, Bacteriologist Hosnitnl who gave educational lectures to the Leaders’ Corps during the season and to Mrs. Boon who again acted as Hon. Pianist to the Department, rendering invaluablo service. Your Board looks back with gratitude to the service so unstintedly given bv members and looks forward to yet another year of successful work amongst the boys and young people- of this community.

Boys’ Work. The work of this Department of Association activities has expanded so rapidly that the urgent need of Inc Y'M.C'.A. at the present moment is lor more, accommodation tor the meinbcis of the, Bovs’ Division. Already one out of everv seven boys hi our town are members of our Boys’ Division, this after a few short years ot working 'The roll strength at the end ot the Winter season was:----0 Employe' bovs 45 Secondary school boys, L> Primary school boys. .14 Newspaper bovs totaling 219 boys under the age or IS"’ A new departure of this year has been the formation of two dubs (which are modelled after the laics ot ft Eo in"' y an^address!h a cmployed boys sSooi l b^ C t°-HbY Club.’\ Bo* only one other club for employed boj« in tho Dominion, at Christduacli, a •,0 far wc have the only, Hi-X Club which is 'affiliated to the Brisbane, Australia Club. An important feature of this "yi-. werk was tho •! letters of greeting to the y.JVi.i-.A. . at London, Paris, Berlin, Constantinople Chicago and Brisbane. In each ease tho official letter was accompanied bv a letter to a boy in these cities. \s"an outcome ot this the Brisbane Association is forwarmng to 1 aimerston North a presentation Australian flag end there is on the way the French flag officially presented In the In i. association. The New Zealand flat will dulv be returned by our bovs This is verv important inasmuch as Jm Wall- of World Brotherhood, ot whi.l wc hear so much to-day, becomes close, towards a reality. The Palmers on hot will very short.lv become intimately ac mminted with the life, of a Gernur “ - and vica versa. The General becre t-uV is also a Child Welfare Officer am ho has under supervision some 9 bow who have been made members of th Association. Close touch is also hep with outgoing boys front block Hons, who arc residents in this district. Ihi i\Jother and Son banquet, and I n Father and Son. banquet taxed th gymnasium to its fullest capacity bott o roving records. The numbers presonl were 280 and 3.11 respectively as coin pared witli 210 and 180 previously After the Father and Sou banquet ovoi 100 small brothers and siste-rs were on tertained. Both the swimming am tennis clubs have junior membership! a iso the life-saving classes. Baske ball proved a popular activity in the

gymnasium this year being played weekly with keen competition of the various clubs. A team of High School boys defeated the Wanganui association by a largo margin. Our chief summer activity was the fifth annual camp at Pohangina which was a record in numbers and enthusiasm. 63 leaders and boys being in camp. Tho previous camp record was 42. Although bad weather was experienced and several of the younger boys left before tho finish, the majority stayed until the end. ’ Parents expressed themselves as being well pleased with the camp .arrangements and other details. However as we have to rely solely on tents each year, wc look forward to tho time when a permanent building will be erected upon what must certainly bo tho finest camp site in this Dominion. Such a brief report as this cun only bo 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 lie seen or measured immeditely; they must bo looked for in a finer and more stalwart manhood in the years to come.

Community Work. A great amount of what might be termed community service now passes through the association. Probably due to the impetus given the Y.M.C.A. during the war, the association is being cilled upon more and more to render community service. Scarcely a week passes without some department of the association being called upon to assist in work of a community nature, and whenever possible these services of the association havo been freely given. Then, the building itself is probably the greatest community centre in the , city. During the busy months of the year every inch of space in our building is used to the utmost, in fact the building is far too small to cope with Ibn over increasing demands on our space and facilities. Ladies’ Auxiliary. Once again your board places on record its sincere appreciation of the magnificent work rendered to the asso ciation bv the ladies’ auxiliary. The ladies work unstintedly throughout the year and are deserving of our praise. Early in the year the entrance hall was covered and 'brightened by the ladies, and the change that has been effected is most noticeable and appreciated. We ■ arc indeed fortunate in having a band of such loyal workers and the board hereby tenders its grateful thanks. Press. Once again acknowledgement is made of the valuable help rendered to the association by the Press. On all occasions cvcrv assistance has been given ’ in the matter of publicity. Thanks are ■ due also to the hon. auditor. Mr. It. A. • Puller, F.P.A., N.Z. for his help in ' auditing the books of the association. ■ Conclusion. A review of the past year '3 work ' justifies the confidence that much usc--1 ful work lies ahead of the association. : During tho year something has been [I at tempted and something done. We ’lh'iivc not reached every objective that -jwas set, but wherever there has bcea or shortcoming, a determined > ‘effort will be made in the, incoming Eyenr to achieve success. Tho association is a. well established organisatiot J in this city. The responsibility is ours 1 to maintain and extend its sphere of - usefulness. It. is well that wc should -1 recall the final message of the founder • of the Y.M.C.A.—Sir George Williams—•j to the young men of the world:— -| “My" last legacy, and it, is a precious l one, is the Young Men’s Christian As- ) soeiation. I leave, it to you, beloved t young men of many countries, to carry > cn and extend.”