NELSON Y.I.C.A.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIX, 30 January 1936, Page 11

NELSON Y.I.C.A.

SUCCESSFUL SOCIAL FUNCTION

FAREWELL TO MR G. DARKNESS

WELCOME TO NEW SECRETARY

A most successful function was held at the Y.M.C.A. last evening when a large assemblage of members and friends of the Y.M.C.A. met to bid farewell to Mr and Mrs G. Harkness, who will shortly bo leaving NelsSn on transfer to Christchurch, and to welcome the new secretary, Mr L. Cato and Mrs Cato. Mr C. R. Fell, past president, occupied the chair and called on Air R. Black to open the meeting with prayer. Mr Fell in his opening remarks stated that the Mayor, ..Mr G. L. Page, would attend later and he would then vacate the chair in his favour.

In making a presentation to Ah' Harkness the Mayor said it was the wish of members of the Y.M.C.A. and of many friends that recognition be made of the valuable services rendered the Association by the secretary, and also to show the esteem in which lie and Airs Harkness were held. Air Harkness had come to Nelson nine years ago when the activities of the Association were at a low ebb, and be .had proved a wise selection to carry on the affairs of the Association. During the speaker’s term on the Y.M.C.A. Board of Directors he had learned the real worth of Air Harkness. He came as secretary, blit also undertook tile duties of physical director and had continued in that dual capacity. The reasons for Mr Harkness’s success were threefold, in his spiritual, physical and mental qualities Mr Harkness had devoted time and attention to the spiritual side of the work and set a fine example to the youth of the city. The physical and mental side of the work had been well developed and many young people would look back with pleasure and gratitude to their association with the Y.AI.C.A in Nelson during the past 9 years. Mr Page also paid a warm tribute to the work of Airs Harkness. The annual displays during Air Harkness’s term bad been splendid and afforded some indication of the great work that had been carried on for the physical and mental well-being of the youth of the town. The departure-' of Mr and Mrs Harkness was regretted but all would join in congratulating Air Harkness on lis promotion to the Christchurch YiAI.C.A. „ ' Tributes to the work and worth ot Mr and Mrs Harkness were paid by Mrs B. Trathen (Women’s Auxiliary committee), All's F. N\ Jones (on 1 behalf of business girls), Messrs C. R. l'ell and B. Trathen (on behalf of the Board of Directors), and M W. Armstrong (business ’community). Each speaker wished them success and happiness in their new sphere. Air and AL'S Harkness were accorded musical honours followed by cheers. AIR HARKNESS IN REPLY In reply Mr Harkness expressed thanks anil appreciation ou behalf of Airs Harkness and himself for the token which they had received but more particularly for the spirit of goodwill in which it bad been given. He stated that it gavp them untold pleasure to have the°opportunity to enjoy a final fellowship with sac'll a representative gathering of the members and friends with whom they had worked, and to be able to express to them personally their thanks for the loyalty and service given to them and to the Association, during the years they had been here. Air Harkness said it was with very mixed feelings that he was trying to express himself. The difficulty of saving farewell to friends and. so many coworkers, and the necessity for making merry with them created a strange sensation, but one which they would remember with joy when thinking back on Nelson. The speaker stated that he felt Nelson and the local Y.M.C.A. would in the very near future experience a time of new developments. Once conditions generally began to improve an opportunity would present itself for the extension of the Y.At.C.A. which was likely to become the most fortunately situated secondary centre Association in the Dominion. It was necessary for that reason alone that they .should never lose heart and let the work go down because at any time a bright future should be forthcoming. He hoped Air Cato’s appointment would mark the time when those possibilities were realised, and thus mark the commencement of a new era for the local work. Air Harkness in closing said they would always be eager to know how the local situation was developing as it was not the least bit likely that they could f 9 rget Nelson, and it was their greatest hope that the : Association would continue to become of increasing importance

BISHOP OF NELSON SPEAKS The Bishop of Nelson, the lit. Rev. W. G. Hilliard said lie was pleased to associate himself with the Y.M.C.A. which did so much for the youth of towns and cities. He was pleased to hear' the various speakers’ tributes to the' fact that Mr Harkness had attended to the spiritual side of tlie work. It was also necessary to attend to the physical side and keep a healthy body, and also to pay attention to the menial side. The mind must bo fed'and washed. A healthy body; a clean, properly fed mind, aiid a correct spiritual outlook were the essentials in life. In conclusion the Bishop wished Air and Mrs Harkness success and happiness in their new sphere and lie extended a hearty welcome to Air and Airs Cato and wished them success in their noble work.

11l extending a welcome to Air and Mrs Cato Air H. J. Savage, vice-pre-sident, on behalf of tlie past and present officers and members of the Y.AI.C.A. said be had met Air Cato that day and had been struck by his cheerful, optimistic and forceful character! He assured Mr Cato of the assistance of willing helpers and wish id him, Mrs Cato and family a pleasant and successful sojourn in Nelson.

Mr R. Black, past-president, also welcomed Mr and Mrs Cato. Mr Cato’s father had been the Baptist minister in Nelson and had baptised the speaker 54 years ago. The Rev. Mr Cato was a talented musician*and if his son possessed that ability it would be a great asset.

The Mayor on behalf of the city welcomed Mr' and Mrs Cato and wished then! success and the Y.iM.C'.A. continued prosperity during their stay in Nelson.

MR CATO IN REPLY

In thanking the various speakers and all present for the warmth of their welcome Mr Cato stated that ho fully realised the task ahead of him in having to follow in the footsteps of Mr Darkness. He was glad to be able to associate 'himself with the remarks eulogising the retiring secretary’s work -and joined with the members in wishing Mr and Mrs Darkness every success in their new field.

Mr Cato spoke of the lead given by the new King, King Edward VIII, in connection with youth work, and the fact that the great minds of the day were attaching .liore importance to the development of all phases of those activities. “Boys will lie boys’’ was a well known saying, but the wiser man now said: “Boys will be men,” and the question asked in all seriousness was :

“What kind of men ” “We are striving for the complete development of the individual,” he said, “and our ideal is that it may he written of every member and of himself, as was written by the chronicler of old of a young man of that day ‘He increased in wisdom and stature and in favour with God and man’.” ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAMME During the evening an enjoyable entertainment programme was provided as follows; Pianoforte solos, Miss F. Bensemann; songs from opera, Miss Veronica Bell; steel guitar selections, Mr F. Stock; songs Mr I). Bishop; songs, Miss B. Aydon; elocutionary items, Mr J. L. Black; violin solos, Mr W. G. Horrocks. Miss 31. Steventon played the accompaniments. A vote of thanks was passed to those taking part in the programme, and a special vote of thanks was passed to the members of the Ladies’ Auxiliary and other workers who had made the evening such a success. Tile happy function was brought to a close with the isinging of “Anld Lang Syne.”