Y.M.C.A. BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEET

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6624, 10 August 1931, Page 3

Y.M.C.A. BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEET

To Discuss Work for the Month.

The usual monthly meeting of the board of directors was held on Friday evening, when there were present Mr J. A. Grant (chairman), Messrs T. E. Hodder, A. Hopwood, C. E. Hisled, R. 0. Donald, L.Laurenson, W. G. Miilor, A. M. Spilman, W. 11. Brown, J. Sclwyn, R. Linkkitcr, and the general secretary. Apologies were received from Messrs. C. S. Matthews, .T, Wallace, I. Gcrrand, J. H. Dick and J. Murray.

Tho general secretary reported that the regular activities of the association have' functioned smoothly during tho month and in addition certain social events were successfully carried out. On July Hi the Debating club held a literary evening, taking the form of short addiesses on “Authors.” Members of tho Business Girls’ Lunch Club wore tho guests of the evening. Speakers gave interesting and capable, addresses upon tho life and works of tho following: —Rupert Brooks, Thomas Hood, John Masefield, L. Herd and Robert Louis Stevenson.

On Sunday, August 2, 40 members attended tho evening servico at St. Andrew's Church. Members appreciate these monthly visits to various churches and take full opportunity of getting together on a Sunday evening for the church services.

Notwithstanding that every Is 6d counts these days, members of the Optimist Club still consider time and money ■well spent by attendance at the regular luncheons on Fridays. Speakers for the month were: Mr Ross Meikle, who gave an interesting address on “The Progress of tho Moving Picture Industry”; Mr Framjee, who spoke on “Photography in Industry”; Mr Golquhoun, who gave a very interesting address on “'The Present Slump,” and Mr L. .J. Greenberg, who gave a. very fine address on “The World Challenge to Youth.” On July 24, the club held a special meeting when members of the board, the president of the Rotary Club, and other visitors were in attendance, the occasion being tho presentation of the Gavel by tho chairman of tho Dominion Executive of tho Optimist Clubs of New Zealand, to the Palmerston North Club for best average attendance for tho past year. The club also intends to hold “pound days,” each member bringing along a contribution of foodstuffs to bo forwarded to tho Relief Deyot as from the club. The socials organised by the Social Committee have been most successful in promoting a happy social atmosphere amongst the members. Out of the funds built up during the year the committee have purchased a new billiaid cloth for the table, a much needed improvement. It was icportod that the Opera House has been booked for three nights in October for tho Annual Gymnasium Display. All classes are now practising energetically, and every effort is being made to make this annual- event as popular and successful as ever. It is further reported that the Ladies’ Auxiliary who are constantly keeping the interior of our building comfortable and homely in appearance, have recently bought two curtains for the corridor, and eight cushions for the lounge. Thcso additions make a great improvement and are much appreciated by all. A meeting of the general secretaries of the secondary centres of the Y.M.C.A in tho North island is planned to be held hero on .September 5 and. (3, to hold a conference under the chairmanship of Mr E. M. Brasted, of Wellington, National Secretary for New Zealand,

The Boys ’ Work report states that- all activities have been well maintained during the month. In pursuance of tho policy of having different speakers in to address the buys during the month, the High School group have had the following talks: Mr A. McKegg, who spoke, on “Clean Sportsmanship’’; Rev. C. S. Matthews, who spoke on “Aim High”; Mr L. Laurcnson gave an educational talk on the progress made in medical work and modern hygiene; three members of the Hi-T Club spoke to the hoys, their subjects (impromptu) being, ‘ ‘ Camp Pohangina,” “IVhat . the Y.M.C.A. Means to a Chap,” and “Pig Hunting.” These talks are of a- great educational value and are given in such a way that they prove very interesting. A family social evening was held for members of tho primary boys’ and girls’ classes, with their parents, on Wednesday, July 29. There were approximately oSO present and a vciy pleasant and successful evening was spent. Games for both parents and children constituted the programme, being supplemented by humorous items given by Messrs. Robertson, Toung, Luke and Hutchins. Community singing under tho conductorship of Mr. It. Houston went with a good swing. Supper was dispensed by the Ladies’ Auxiliary, which also handed a bag of sweets to each child afterwards.

The. boys’ hcxathlou contest, a contest for all boys in the Y.M.C.A.’s of New Zealand to compete for tho Herbert, Smith Trust Shield, has again been held, and the IS best resords have been forwarded to Wellington to represent this association. It is further reported that the boys in tho primary group have been persuaded lo take up hobbies, and a hobby competition night, lias beca planned for next month, when exhibits will bo displayed and judged. In this way the boys are learning to devote their spare moments to something worth while arid educating.

It was reported that arrangements arc in hand for a party of the local association’s boys to pay a visit to the Wellington' Y.M.C.A. during t lie coming school holidays, for friendly games and competitions. Inter-association visits sucli as these give a full appreciation of tho Y.M.C.A. and its world-wide value to the boys.