YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13601, 21 November 1907, Page 6

YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.

FAREWELL TO MR. MITCHELL.

Mr.' J. G. Mitchell, who for the past two years has acted as general secretary -of the Young • Men's Christian,. Association, in Auckland,. and is leaving .shortly for America; where he will.' continue in the 7 same work, was farewellcd by the senior members of the association iv the Y.M.C.A. Hall last evening. Mr. J. W. Stewart presided; and the- building was • crowded with young men. After referring to the i valuable . services which Mr. Mitchell had rendered the association during his stay in Auckland, 'thechairman called on the Rev. , Gillam to present him with a testimonial on behalf of <the ; board of .-management.''.'..' \' i. ;' ■" Mt: Gillam, who" was received with applause, said that, personally, he was much grieved that Mr. - Mitchell was leaving Auckland, and he wished to thank-him for-the influence" for good which he had exercised amongst th young men of his own parish. Mr GiHam then presented Mr. Mitchell with a testimonial, embossed, on parchment, in' which the board expressed 5 their' appreciation .of his, past; services and his''sdecessm and energetic.efforts in connection with .the recent building campaign. ■*: Mr. Gillam wished -Mr. Mitchell,. '• all prosperity ■.wherever.he- might be." (Applause.) -' J h [- ,w *™& ra SB said that when Mr. Mitchell had come to .Auckland two years ago . he found the association's work on>i 16 up-grade,:-".:. and ,it had, continued along that grade ever since. Mr. .Mitchell" had tackled < the/ work, mantuny, and., had won the respect, admiration, and affection of all. Possiblv thev might never understand how much "he had; done for them but they would,remember 'the' time when he was here, J and, would look I back to it'with great gratitude. '-~ If "there was anything which should call-forth their esteem it was : the manner; in which Mr; Mitchell had worked when he knew that he was. to leave them. (Applause.) Mi'.-Mitchell, who was, accorded an ovation, said he thought the best way to express his appreciation was to mention his regret that he could not have served-them "'? r ,°- _, ; AiKUough much ha<i been? accomplished, ho thought that more might have befen done. _ Progress, however, was absoute certain if they would all share the burden of the; association's "work, and lie would urge them to workman!'forme benev■*&%' a' 6 -'- insfcltutic>n »> and to study the 1 .M.G. A. movement thoroughly. He thanked the members for.:. the assistance winch they had rendered him, and the way in winch they had stood by ■ him during the recent campaign. -He also' wished to ex.press his thanks for the- manner in which .the ■ office staff tjad helped him. -• -He bespoke for his successor (Mr. Laing, of JDuiiechn) the same hearty co-operation which had always been extended to him. "Progress is i, an absolute certainty," said Mr ' Mitchell, amid great applause, "and I consider that • the Y.M.O.A. is the greatest' factor for good in the city that could exist,' '.'■',;',' '. ■■■' During the evening a musical programme was gone through", and the gathering terminated .shortly,-before 11 -o'clock. , -, ■.... Mr. and-Mrs. . Mitchell , will :' probably leave ..for America next week, vi 1 , ■ ."-.;/ '.: .-: