YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10404, 31 March 1897, Page 5

YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.

The annual general meeting of the Young Men's Christian Association was held in the Lecture Hall of the rooms, Wellesley and Albert Streets, last evening. There was a very good attendance of members present; Mr. J. L. Wilson, president, in the chair. Proceedings wore opened with devotional exercises, after which the president addressed a few words to those present on the growth of the Associations in England and on the Continent, and the good work done by tho local body during the past twelve mouths. A letter of apology for unavoidable absence, owing to indisposition, was read from Mr. Battley, who in the course of his communication wished the Association continued success, AXNDAL REPORT. The annual report of the committee was read by the Honorary Secretary (Uγ. Thos. Buddie), as follows :— It has been our lot, for many years to deplore the depression which hail so long hung over our colony. Now. we are thankful that the clouds hire lifted, and the revival in trade and commerce (Hiring the past year hv exerted a beneficial influence all round. This improved tone has enabled us to dispose of tire land in Swansonstreot, bequeathed by the late C. O. I) ivis to th» Association, the Bible Society, anil the Orphan Home, in equal share». at a fair price, and the share coming to the Association has been a great help. The legacy of £-01) Mt by the late Mr. Dilworth, Ami which hitherto Ins been unavailable, lus now been received from the trustees, and this has enabled us to pay off the mortgage upon the property adjoining tils Association Building, and will relieve us of interest on that sum. The committee desire to expre-s their thanks to the trustees of the Dilworth estate fur their <onsulfation in making this payment before actually compelled to do so, in terms of the bequest The lectures and concerts given during the winter were of the high-class nature which we have ever endeavoured to procure, and were successful in bringing together a large number of friends, an I must have exerted an influence for good. The lommittee consider that every •■(Tort should be made to continue these winter engagements, and to aim at making them still more the means of spreading valuable information and aliordinir high-class entertainment. Tliejexcellentselection of papers and magazines supplied to the Reading Kooin have been a source of attraction. They are much appreciated by those who make use of the comfortable room, but there is room for many more visitors. The library has very much improved, regular additions of new books having been added monthly, the circulation for tho year being 3598 The night-school lias during the year developed considerably, the instruction, though upon elementary subjects, having been found helpful to the lads who assemble week by week, and many expressions of gratitude have been received by the workers. There his been a considerable increase in the membership of the Rambling Club, which continue.) to prosper. The Sunday afternoon addresses, conducted by Mr. Button, are well attended and greatly appreciated, and the work of that useful branch, the Tract Society, has been zealously and steadily carried on, three new districts having been opened, while the Onehnnga shipping is alia now attended to. The City Hall Sunday evening services (General Secretary's report) havo been regularly held, with large attendances composed largely of young men. We finish 21 years this year. Ministers and workers of all denominations have given suitable addresses. We are deeply grateful for the kind and ri-ady help always given by so many. Mr. Hell, leader of evangelistic choir, and workers who so punctually and roaularly are found In their places, merit our hearty thanks and highest appreciation. Twenty-six thousand ■ tracts and twe vo thousand invitations hare licen distributed during the year. We regret that Ihe membership of the Assoc!'lion does not increase in proportion to Its usefulness. We would again make an earnest appeal to young men to take advantage of the privileges such an Association affords in a city such as ours. Mr. J. L. Wilson, the president, anil for so long a true friend of the Association, returned in December from his visit to lingland. A " Welcome Home" was given to him and Mrs. Wilson at the Rooms, in the sbapo of a conversazione, and a very bright and hearty evening was spent. An address was p.-e-tented to him. The gymnasium is still under lease to Professor Carrnllo, but the committee look forward to the time when easier circumstances financially will enable them to utilise the gymnasium more entirely for the benefit of the Association members. .Mr. A. Bell, tho leader of the choir, hopes to bo able t> establish a singing class this winter. The sys'em of interchange! of letters of introduction between the Associations in different parts of the world is by no means a unimportant pirt of our work. Many have found it of great advantage to have such letters, giving them at onco the entree in a strange city to the membership of the Association of that city—a privilege which has been found of great use, and is of incalculable service to ,i young man, STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS.

The balance-sheet for the year ending February 23 was then submitted by the hon. treasurer, Mr. CI. \V. Hemery, as under :— Reckipis.— Balance, £10 I6s lid; subscriptions. £157 ISs 3d; rent, £474 Is lid; hire of hills anil rooms, £41) Is Gd; lectures and concerts (net proceeds £28 Ms lid), £47 3s Oil; Sunday afternoon, lecture?, £21 8s 8il; CO. Davis's legacy (in part),' £146 10.1 ; City Mission (subscription-,), j>93 U.l Gd ; sundries, £lf:s m<l ■ total, £798259i1.

EXPENDITURE.-Salaries and wages, £220 19s interest on loan on mortgage, £127 10s; rates, cily and water, £43 5s id; gas, £33 &i; installation of incandescent liaht, £G;>Gs; Bre insurance, £18 IBs; advertising, £13 Us; reading-ioom, periodicals, etc., £33 6s (id; liliraty, £11 Is Oil : stationery. SU 15i 2d; postigo and wires, £:) 4s Oil ; lectures and concerts (expenses), £15 9s llltl; repairs to building, £8 h Id; general expense.?, £'.'4 Si Oil; license fee for hall, £'-.: city mission, £120 ;• balance, £8 Oil; total, £738 2s Bd.

On the motion of the Rw. Mr. Larkins, seconded by Mr. E. Bell, the report and accounts were adopted as read. CITY HALL SERVICES. The accounts in connection with the Sunday evening services held in the City Hall were read by Mr. Brakespjg, and showed a credit balance of £6 0s sd. He also spoke at some length concerning the excellent results of the work carried on by the mission, and pointed out that some 16,000 had attended the services during the year. ELECTION OP OFFICERS. The election of officers for the ensuing year was then proceeded with, and resulted as follow: — President, Mr. J. L. Wilson; vice-presidents, Right Rev. Bishop Cowie, Revs. F. Larkins, H. Bull, R. F. Macnicol, F. Warner, Colonel Haultain, Dr. Knight. Messrs. F. Battley, C. E. Button, M.H.R.', R. B. Shalders; executive committee, Messrs. A. Carr, P. E. Olual, W. R. Wilson, S. Macaul&y, Duthie, C. J. Heinerv, H. Marler, L. Wilson, Mains, James Wilson, John Smythe, McClusky, Heriof; hon. secretary, Mr. Thomas Buddie; hon. treasurer, Mr. 0. W. Hemery; hon. auditor, Mr. F. fiodle; general secretary, Mr. William Brakenrig. The meeting concluded with praise air! prayer.