YOUNG MENS CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION GYMNASIUM.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9130, 11 August 1888, Page 3

YOUNG MENS CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION GYMNASIUM.

The opening of this establishment, at 92, Long-acre, London, on the site of the Queen's Theatre, but in connection with the Central Young Men's Christian Association, whose headquarters are at Exeter Hall, Strand, was doubly honoured with royal patronage on Thursday, June 7, the Prince of Wales, Prince Albert Victor, and the King of Sweden and Norway taking part in the ceremony. There was a peculiar appropriateness in the presence of King Oscar 11. on this occasion, for, as His Majesty observed in a brief and graceful speech, muscular training is highly appreciated in Sweden, which has made Europe its debtor for models of the best equipped gymnasia in the world. Their Royal Highnesses and his Majesty arrived at one o'clock, welcomed with cheering. They were received by the Earl of Aberdeen, President of the Gymnastic Club; Mr. J. Herbert. Tritton, President, and other officials of the Young Men's Christian Association. A portion of Psalm cxlviii. having been read, and prayer offered by the Bishop of London, the Earl of Aberdeen read an address to his Royal Highness. It stated that the Association, founded forty-four years ago, has nearly -1000 affiliated branches in Grest Britain, the colonies, and the civilised world, seventy-seven of them in London, with an aggregate membership of 250,000. Their object is permanently to benefit young men. spiritually, intellectually, socially, and physically. Of late years the value of athletics has been more fully recognised, and the committee of the Central Association have availed themselves of that pursuit. The Exeter Hall Gymnasium team have won, in open competition, the 200-guinea challenge shield and gold medals offered by the National Physical Recreation Society. Moreover, the gymnasium is able to supply voluntary teachers who instruct children and others of the poorer classes in the exercises acquired in this place. The Prince of Wales, in reply to the address, commended the excellent principles and the practical usefulness of the Young Men's Christian Association, combining religious education with physical training ana healthy recreation. Mr. Herbert Gladstone, M.P., President of the National Physical Recreation Society, addressing the Prince and Kiug Oscar, stated that the Challenge Shield had been won this year, at the contest in Dundee, by the team of eight belonging to the Exeter Hall Club, and asked His Royal Highness to do them the honour of presenting the shield to the team collectively and to each of the members a gold medal valued at £10. This shield, a fine piece of work, in solid silver, rested on a table in front of the dais. After the Prince had handed to each member his well-earned medal, the team collectively shouldered the trophy, and marched off with it triumphantly the length of the gymnasium, amid general cheering. To this ensued an exhibition of musical drill—a feature in athletics introduced by Mr. Sully, the director of this gymnasium, who gave the word of command while thirty young fellows went through exercises with the dumb-bells, clubs, and bar-bells. In some cases they accompanied their movements with popular songs; in others, the airs were whistled. When the drill was over, the King of Sweden, speaking in English, expressed his approval of the performance, and his best wishes for the progress and prosperity of the Association.