YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13995, 30 August 1907, Page 5

YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.

PROGRESS OF THE BUILDING " CAMPAIGN.

TOTAL DONATIONS, £4585 4s.

The gcntlo art of making speeches, tp which tlio Y.M.O.A. has devoted itself for the last, day or two, nas now changed into a formidable phalanx of strenuous endeavour. Tho touch of an experienced organic-er is apparent. Prospectuses have been circulated, committees formed, canvassere appointed, and an army, drilled, disciplined, and capably officered, has commenced its assault upon the pockets of the public. Tho captains ami their various teams met al; the association's rooms last evening, when tea was provided bv the ladies of t.he auxiliary branch of tho Y.M.C.A., who also acted as waitresses for the occasion. Messrs Lyman L. Pierce and W. Gilanders wore present, and, tea over, a consultation was held. Progress was reported, suggestions were made, plans revised, and ways and means further discussed.

Mr Lymswr L. Pierce informed 113 last evening tliat, er&iking-from a vast experience of such matters, ho had never seen l,hc opening day of any campaign so auspicious and encounjffiiifc as yesterday had proved. He ventured to predict that tho city of Dunedin would establish a record in giving for tho Southern Hemisphere. Tho money would not be got too easily, though, and a groat deal of lia.rd work lay in front, of the memhera of tho association. It was most stimulating to find leading people of tho citv giving up three or four hours of their valuable time every day for tho benefit of the movement. Yesterday people wore ringing up the secretary over the telephone offering donation?. That, showed, if anything did, the spirit existing in Dunedin. Members of tho Y.M.0.A., not content witli working hard till after. 10 o'clock at night, had given eiims that, to say tho least of, it, ineant a sacrifice. Youths of 18 had promised to sacredly sot aside the sum of £10 in tho course- of the year; and sums of £15 and £20 had in many instances boen promisee]. The first day of the building campaign closed at 10 o'clock last night, when it was announced that out of th'e £17,000 to be raised within the prescribed fortnight £4585 4e had been obtained. ■ Tho collections by tho youn? men's teams, comprising 120 members, amounted to slightly over £450 for the day.