YOUNG MEN’S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21307, 11 April 1931, Page 3

YOUNG MEN’S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION

' ANNUAL REPORT ■ The annual report of the Young Men’s Christian Association, Dunedin, states, inter alia, that:— SENIOR DIVISION. During the year the senior activities have been well maintained, the interest in the programme work has been kept running at high water mark, and an increase in membership is shown in some of the clubs. Many testimonies are to hand of the good derived from these activities, and the end for which they have been organised has not been lost sight of—the development of Christian personality and the making of better all-round men to serve the community has certainly been achieved. Forty-eight residential Sunday morning services have been held, and the attendance has averaged 25 per meeting. Local clergymen and laymen and visitors from other centres have been the speakers, the preliminaries being taken by the residents in turn. This service has proved a real means of blessing to those who have attended. The Optimists held their 'fortnightly luncheon regularly. The membership has grown from 35 to 43. The luncheons have been very successful, and were extended until the end of the year. The ideals for which the club stand are the ideals for which the Y.M.C.A. exists, with a special emphasis in the rendering of Christian service. During last year’s luncheons addresses were given by the following:—Sir Charles Statham, the Rev. A. Mead, Mr W. Wallace, Pastor W, D. More, Mr W. B. M'Ewan, Dr C. E. Hercus, Mr J. B. Callan, Dr North, Dr H. A. G. Fisher, Dr P. Fennelly, Mr Alec. Regan, Mr J. B. Brugh, Rev. W. A. Stevely, Mr D. Tannock, Dr V. E. Galway. Several “open days” were held, items were given by the members, and a very successful year was brought to a close by a social. The residential activities have been governed and controlled by a council elected from and by the residents. This council is sub-divided into committees which hold themselves responsible for the respective programmes. Much praise is due to the residents for the marked manner in which they have carried out their activities and the help in general they have given to the association. Four social evenings were held during the year, two other evenings adapted as intelligence tests, and _ one other evening for debating a specially chosen subject. The aggregate attendance at these was 323.

Weekly competitions were conducted in the following: —Basket ball, volley ball, ping pong, billiards, snooker, draughts. The entries' were 483. Various other games, including novelty games, swimming, Rugby, Soccer and cricket have also been heartily entered into. The library has become a necessary part of the association. There are now 621 books on the shelves, and on an average 14 books per' week have been in circulation. The introduction of the buffet has proved worth while. Approximately 2900 light suppers were served, and while not a money T making concern, it shows a credit balance. This credit will be devoted to Y.M.C.A. work.

The Vikings Club is the intermediate department covering the gap between the Boys’ Department and the Senior Department. The ages are from 18 to 22. Its members are non-residential, and it fills a very necessary place in the association's work. The year began with a membership of 25> and the attendance throughout was good,, The clubroom is the meeting place of the week for the members. The procedure of the evening is as follows:—Tea, eing-song, followed by an arranged programme. The club evenings during 1930 included special talks and addresses, impromptu speeches, debates, intelligence tests, billiard tournaments, social evenings, etc. Several inter-club competitions were also held.

During the year an effort has been made to bring the clubs more into contact with one another, and also to bring the Y.M.C.A, clubs into contact with the clubs of the Y.W.0.A., thus establishing a bond of friendship and widening the circle of acquaintance. To this end special functions, were arranged. COMMUNITY WORK. A very' successful old- clothes drive was staged by the Optimists’ Club, Members gave of their time and the use of their ears, and collected a large quantity of cast-off garments, mostly washed and repaired. A good proportion of the clothes was practically new. The effort was well rewarded, and a good number of needy families received help at a necessary time. A concert at Seacliff Mental Hospital was given by the Optimists to the inmates, which was thoroughly enjoyed and much appreciated. A concert at Seacliff Presbyterian Church in aid of the church funds was likewise given by the Optimists. A “ skit ” was given at the Central Mission by the Vikings Club to aid the mission funds.

The children’s Sunday services have been assisted by a party from the Boys’ Division, and on several occasions by the residents. A special health talk was delivered by Mr Postgate over the wireless. For some time the general secretary acted as an “uncle” on the children’s session. Several Bible classes and services have been taken by the general secretary. For several years it has been the custom of the Y.M.C.A. authorities to give the poorer children of the city, a Christmas party such as they would have little chance or enjoying in their own homes. In this work, Mr T. Wilkinson, a member of the staff of the association, has taken the leading part, and to him in no small measure the success of these functions in the past has been due. It is a matter for congratulation that, despite the financial stringency during the past year, it was possible for Mr Wilkinson to collect a sufficient amount to enable him to hold the party again for the benefit of as large a number of children as ever. 9 ve . r 200 children gathered by special invitation in the Y.M.C.A. buildings, and thoroughly enjoyed a Christmas tea and good programmes of games, and returned home each with a Christmas gift and a bag of sweets, PHYSICAL DEPARTMENT,

The enrolment of members numbered •520, and the attendance for the season in the regular classes alone (March to November) was just over 10,000. Five hundred and twelve classes were held. Apart from the above figures, there have been numerous other sections which have used the gymnasium during the year — viz., Boys’ Division, hostel residents, Vikings Club, Dunedin Training College students, Girl Guides, etc. The various classes have been most enthusiastic both in the work and attendance, the work given proving to be beneficial and useful. Two outstanding groups were the business men, who finished the season with 65 members, and the young men’s class, which totalled 75. The physical director was greatly helped by the Senior Leaders’ Corps, which gives much appreciated honorary service in the leadership of groups on the gymnasium floor. In addition three suburban churches were supplied with leaders from the corps to conduct their physical work. The senior leaders again "avc excellent exhibitions at the annual display, . , Physical examinations were conducted by the department’s honorary physicians. During the early part of the season over 100 members in the boys’ classes took advantage of this special privilege, and received a free medical examination. The annual display was held in the gymnasium on September 20 and 22. At

all performances all seating accommodation was taxed to its utmost, and the items were given to very appreciative audiences, which numbered 200 each night. The pupils in the various classes had put in some hard practice the few weeks preceding the display, and it was certainly due to this and to their enthusiasm that the function proved the decided success it was. The groups in general were to be highly complimented upon their excellent showing, 260 pupils participating at each performance. Basket Ball was a particularly popular activity, and much interest was shown by the members of the teams competing for the league premiership, the residents’ team ultimately carrying off the trophy. Of special interest was the visit of a men’s and also a ladies’ team from the Christchurch association. The annual fixtures with Oamaru were also held as usual.

The annual mid-season social function held in Juno and the fancy dress carnival in October again proved very popular with the senior classes. On the first occasion 150 were present, and on the second occasion approximately 180., BOYS’ DIVISION. The scope of the work carried on by the Boys’ Department ie seldom appreciated save by those who are in intimate touch with its activities. When it is realised that some 300 boys are enrolled on its books and that the greater number of these come under its influence each week, it forces upon one the reflection that thie is perhaps the most potential sphere of all Y.M.C.A. activities. To cope with such a large number of members the week-night evenings are apportioned to five different groups:—Monday night, Technical School boys; Tuesday night, primary school boys (from the north end) ; Thursday night, primary school boys (from the south end) ; Friday night, High School boye; Saturday night, business and employed boys. These groups are subdivided into clubs, which elect captains for themselves; the number of clubs this year was 25. The programme is a four-equare one, it being the aim to keep Christ always in the centre of the square.

The religious division was handicapped by a lack of leaders, particularly in the primary groups. Consequently, it was necessary to hold a number of mass meetings on club nights. The studies for the year followed the International Company Orders for 1930, the course adopted by the Salvation Army for their younger members last year. A new departure was made during the year in the form of a Sunday morning Bible class. During the year many talks and lectures were given dealing with various aspects of Christian experience.

Again the division was able to enter two teams in the Fifth Grade Competition of the Otago Football Association. As many of the members play for outside clubs, this ie a good representation from the division. The five Business Boys’ Clubs again held an athletic meeting during the year. Boxing classes met regularly on Wednesday nights under the able leadership of one of our business boys. To stimulate interest in this healthy sport, tournaments were held amongst the different groups of the division. Under the leadership of the late Mr Hanson, of the St. John Ambulance Association, a first-aid class was also carried on on Wednesday nights. As a knowledge of first aid is very valuable in many spheres of life, a class such as this serves a very useful and practical purpose. Swimming is a distinct feature of our boys’ work programme, and every night during the season sees some members of the Boys’ Division in the baths. At tho end of the swimming season a carnival was held in the baths with a large attendance both of spectators and competitors.

Mr and Mrs Williams and their concert party entertained the members on two occasions during the year. The proceeds of these two concerts were given to the Boys’ Division. A very successful concert was also held at the boys’ camp by the same concert party. Several socials were held amongst the boys, tho business boys having three, the Technical one, the High School two, and the primary boys four. These social gatherings were well attended, and acted as a stimulus to tho programme of the division. The department is fortunate In being well equipped as regards table games. These are in constant use, and many promising players owe their acquaintance with billiards, ping-pong, and similar games to their association with the Boys’ Division.

Despite the small numbers at camp this year, a very successful six weeks were spent at Camp Tahorn. Some 50 boys in all attended during the whole period, the average number in camp at one time being about 32. An outing in such an ideal spot as Whare Flat is an opportunity which seldom comes to those of slender means, and when in addition a full and comprehensive programme is carried out, the camp stands out as a milestone in the life of many' a boy. Parents are often slow to realise the value of fellowship in the life of a boy in forming habits of thoughtfulness and consideration for others. A week alone with his comrades has often meant to a boy an entirely new outlook on life. GENERAL. The year 1930 has seen the hostel well filled. The residents represented many trades and professions, and a few were students. Through the careful management of the House Committee and the care of the matron (Mrs Chapman), tho building has been made “ a homo away from home ” to the residents.

During tho months of March, April, September, and October the swimming pool has been well patronised by the gymnasium senior members, and throughout all the summer months by the boys’ division members, but outside patronage has again been extremely poor. A good number of the junior members were taught to swim, and a swimming class for boys was conducted during November and December. Only a few private lessons were given. The Dunedin Training College again used the baths for its instructional course in life-saving and swimming, and the Girls’ High School also attended as usual. A change in the staff occurred when Mr A. Warnock (bath custodian) resigned to take up other work. Mr A. D. Stewart was appointed in his place. Miss Reid again officiated during ladies’ hours. The Y.M.C.A. Football Club acquitted itself well for the first half of the season, and showed great promise of putting up a good performance during the year. Unfortunately, however, it had the misfortune to lose a number of its best players, thus making a big difference to the team and causing it to finish low in the competition. The games played were entered into in the spirit of the true sportsman, and the members at all times worthily upheld the traditions of tho Y.M.C.A." on the field. A- small credit balance is on hand.