YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15824, 24 July 1913, Page 8

YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.

A meeting of the board of directors of the Young Men's Christian Association was held on Tuesday evening. Mr Herbert Webb presided. A lettor Was received from the Otigo Centre Amateur Athlctic Association, thanking the association for the hospitality extended on the occasion of the combined harrier run. The National Secretary wrote in re tho proposed Y.M.C.A. tournaments at Auckland in .February of next year. It was resolved that the visit of the national secretary in August be made tho occasion for a series of conferences with the various committees of the association. A membership and renewal campaign would also be carried on. The anniversary festival was fixed for August 8. The Finance Committee's statements of the general and trust funds were adopted, and departmental accounts were passed for payment. The committee reported that the G. F. Bullen bequest of £500 had been received. The Bath Committee's recommendation that the charge for billiards be reduced was approved. The House Committeo reported that 50 men had occupied rooms during the month of June. The Membership Committee presented 26 applications for membership, which were approved. The Religious Work Committee reported on the Biblo classes, opon-air meetings, and other gatherings and classes. The Social Work Committee reported that 148 men attended the strangers' teas during June. A .combined athletio clubs' dinner would be held in September. The Educational Work Committee reported progress in the formation of an orchestra and shorthand clasees. A «ourao of lectures would be arranged. The elocution class and Literary Society were making headway. The physical director reported that 246 per6ons had mado 1058 attendances at the gymnastic classes during the month. Reports were presented from the hockey and harriers clubs. The Boy's Work Secretary gave an outline report of the activities of the boys' department. ' The Boys' Residence Committee reported 19 bo.vs in residence. Appreciative letters from parents were read regarding the care exercised over boys at the residence.

MILTON MEMBERSHIP CAMPAIGN.

The Milton branch of the Young Men's Christian A&wciation, with a view to increasing ite membership and enlarging its sphere of service, recently resolved to hold a special three days' campaign, setting as its " target" _ the obtaining of 100 new members 'within that period, lie project was an ambitious one, but the - ' optimistic members of title executive were sanguine that their hope 6 would be more than realised, and worked with a will arranging preliminaries for the campaign. The present members were divided into two teams, reds and blues, with prominent business men a3 captains and Mr Jameson, the national secretary, paid a. special visit to Milton to assist in conducting the campaign. The campaign was launched last Thursday evening, at a gathering of over 60 members. Mr James Reid, first president of the local Association, presided, and mado hopeful remarks regarding the present campaign and the future of the Y.M.C.A. movement, Mr Jameson also spoke, dealing with the changed views of Y.M.C.A. leaders regarding country work. It had first been thought tho movement was meant only for large centres and industrial communities, but tho country associations were demonstrating their succcess in a remarkable manner. The reds and blues were greatly in evidence on Friday canvassing, but the results disclosed at the evening's count were somewhat disappointing—only 28 new members having been enrolled. A further energetic canvass was mado on Saturday, which brought the total up to 72 for the first two days. Mr Jameson spoke at several gatherings, and conducted services in the local Presbyterian and Weslcyan churches on Sunday morning and evening. In the afternoon a men's meeting was held in the County Chambers, and largely attended. The Mth Regimental Band played the accompaniments for the various \iymns during the service, and Mr Jameson delivered an inspiring address from Joshua I,verse 6: "Bo strong and of igood courage. ... Be not afraid, neither bo thou dismayed." The strangers' tea which followed was attended by 66 young men—a record in the history of 'the Milton Association. The campaign was brought to a close with a social on Monday evening, when it was announced that the object aimed at had been realised, and 107 new membere had been enrolled. This consummation of their untiring efforts heartily gladdened those who had taken an active part in the campaign. Plans wcro discussed for a forward movement in the work of the local branch of the association.