YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume V, Issue 1364, 31 March 1868, Page 3

YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.

The annual general meeting of the 016101)618 of the Auckland Young Men's Christian Associa* tion, Wellesley-street, 'was held on Friday evening last, the 27th instant. After partaking of tea in the Lecture Hall, the members adjourned to the Eeference room, where the business of the evening was transacted. Mr. S. Hague Suite, the President of the Association, presided. A hymn having been sung and a prayer offered on behalf of the young men of this city, as well as for the prosperity of the institution, The hon. Secretary, Mr. T. Buddie, read. the minutes of the last annual general meeting,, "which were confirmed. The following report of the • .-ommiUee, and statement of the Treasurer's receipts and disbursements, were read and adopted, and ordered to be entered upon the minutes. BEPOB.T. The Committee of the Auckland Young Men's Christian Association, in presenting their report for the year ending March 6. 1868, are thankful that notwithstanding the unprecedented difficulties they have had to encounter, thoy have been able to conduct the operations of tho Institution without exceeding its income. This has teen accomplished chiefly by a reduction of the Secretary*!, salary from £150 to £SO per annum, a piece of economy which the Committee most reluctantly adopted, and on £he understanding that a portion only of a Secretary's time would be required. In consequence of this arrangement, the Institution in October last was deprived of the valued services of Mr. Cox, who felt himself compelled to seek an engagement elsewhere. Until the appointment of a successors, several members of the Committee did the work of a Secretary. In December, Mr. Carson consented to fill the vacant post, and immediately applied himself with moßt commendable earnestness to the discharge of his new

uties. In a few weeks he considerably increased tho list of subscribers, and in other ways prived his special fitness for hia office. The Committee very much regret that an unexpected turn in his engagements has deprived the Institution of his services—by removing him from the province. The Secretaryship is therefore now again vacant. On mating the usual revision of the list of members previous to the Annual Meeting, it h found that the number of recognized members is 80, exclusive of the ministers of various Churches. This shows a decrea? e of 34j which may be accounted for mainly by removals. _ . SUBSCEIUE3S.—The list of subscribers contains 149 member?, about 40 of which have been obtained during the last three or four months, by the exertions of the late Secretary. Bidle CIiAS3. —The Sunday afternoon Bible Class having dwindled to a very small and uncertain number, has upon Mr. Fletcher's recommendation been suspended for the present. Tho Committee however, would urge Jthat so important a branch of a Young Men's Christian Association should be resumed as Boon as circumstances may indicate the probability of securing an attendance. liniuAßY.—The library is well stocked with valua» ble reading, and the circulation has been quite equal to what it was last year. In consequence of the vei/ small amount that could be devoted to this department—not more than a few good and popular works have been added to the catalogue ; the truth however is fully recognized, that a library cannot long maintain a good position in public opinion without constant supplies of fresh literature. Heading Uooji.—lt has been considered necessary to reduce the number of newspapers and magazines upon the table of'the Beading Room. It is believed, however, that the publications most usually in demand are still to be seen there.

Lectures.—The hearty thanks «f the Association are due to those gentlemon who kindly consented to deliver lectures, in connexion with the institution during last winter. It is to be regretted that owing to the weather and other assignable causes the attendance was mfariably smallBuilding Fund.—l'he state of the building fund is most deplorable. The Committee exceedingly regret that in this department the Institution has been quite unable to meet its liabilities; and that in consequence those who for its benefit consented to become its Trustees, have suffered annoyance and pecuniary loss. As the whole income arising from subscriptions, lectures, &c, has been absorbed in the working expenses, has been nothing except the rent of the Bhops (unfortunately very smell), with which to meet the interest upon the mortgage A very considerable balance therefore, has been demanded quarter by quarter from the private means of the Trustees. To leesen this demand as much as possible, special subscription of Is. a week have been solicited with gome succeess from members and others; and the Committee would strongly urge all friends of the Institution to aesist in thiß matter as far as possible.

In conclusion the Committee would deeirft members to bear in mind that upon the extent to which they assist and recommend its operations, do the continued life and usefulness of the institution in great measure depend. The financial position of the Association is, no doubt critical, and demand self-denial and sacrifice from every true member; yet if each will earnestly pray and prayerfully work, theAssociation will outlive its difficulties, young men will be blesßed, and God will be glorified. Earnestly desiring the attainment of these ends, the Committee lay down their office. Thc'Trcasurer in account with the Young Men's Christian Association. 1867-8. Db. £ b. d. Torentofßhops 5° ° £ Subscriptions "2 15 6 Donations ... ... ... ... 1 9 0 Cash received from Trustees (on account ofintereßt) 20 0 0 Sale of lecture tickets 13 0 Eent of lecture, reference, and refreshment rooms... ... 17 6 5 Proceeds cf sale of newspapers and periodicals ... ... ••• ... 9 9 9 Proceeds of lectures 5 10 0 Proceeds of entertainments 2 9 6 Cash received on account of drainage... 37 2 0 Donations on account of drainage and alterations ... ... ... ... 8 7 6 Balance due to Treasurer 3 13 7 £229 6 3 1867-8. Ck. £ s. d. By balance paid to late Treasurer ... 4 18 6JSecretaries (salaries) 79 19 8 Printing and advertising 5 16 6 Cash paid on account of alterations ...12 0 0 Newspapers and periodicals ... ... 14 1" 2 Cash paid to mortgagee (interest money) 50 0 0 Gas account 6 *J °, Sundries I 2 " 2* Advanced to tenant on account of flood 5 0 0 Donation paid to Trustees instead of Treasurer 1 0 <> Drainage... ... -.- ... ... 37 2 J £229 6 3 Balance brought down, and due to Treasurer 3 I< 3 We certify that these accounts are correct. Frederick BaTTIiBY, Robert Fry. The Hon. Secbetaby reported that the present liabilities of the Association amounted to about £130. A statement of the expenditure of the trustees and the amount of the liability on account of the purchase of the freehold and the expense incurred in the erection of the buildings of the Association, was laid upon the table, when it was resolved that a special meeting of the members be called for that night month, to take the same into consideration. \ A donation of £1 was received from "A Friend," on account of the Trust Fund. _ The Chaibslj:n said that notwithstanding tho existing commercial depression, he hoped that the young men of Auckland would rally round the Association, and by their support prevent its dissolution. He believed that the efforts of the office bearers of the institution had hitherto been instrumental in doing much good, and he trusted that each member of the new committee would exert himself to secure additional aid to the Association. „ ' The following members were elected the omee bearers for the year ensuing: President, Mr. S." Hague Smith -, v'ice Presidents, Thomas Macfarlane and J. Pletcher; Treasurer, J. M. Lennox. Committee, S. H. Matthews, O. Lewis, J. Welsman, S. Wells, E. Walker, J7T. Garlick, J. Gittos, W. B. TJtton, Dr. Day, F.

G. Ewington, J. B. Russell. T. Buddie, McLachlan, Glanville, and Bartley. The office of Secretary having been previously declared vacant, the letters and. testimonials of the various applicants for that appointment were examined, and after considerable discussion and scrutiny, Mr. James Dickson was elected the Secretary of the Association. Mr. T. Buddie consented to act as Honorary Secretary for a short time longer. The meeting closed by the Rev. Mr. Dean delivering the Benediction.