Y.M.C.A. WORK

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1048, 12 August 1930, Page 14

Y.M.C.A. WORK

MANY ACTIVITIES IN AUCKLAND BIG BROTHER MOVEMENT A total membership of 1,573 for the 'Auckland Y.M.C.A. vras reported at the monthly meeting of directors, held last evening. Mr. C. H. Furness presided. The boys’ work report, as presented by Mr. H. G. Fountain, showed extensive activity in 35 clubs, and the young men’s division had organised several religious work activities, debates, table tennis championships, and a harriers’ club. The athletic committee had organised four Association and three Rugby football teams. The work of the women’s auxiliary under the presidency of Mrs. E. E. Kitchener was praised. The gymnasium report showed that 35*1 men had enrolled for classes. The physical director was also instructing at the Auckland Grammar School and training 300 members of the Auckland Girls’ Athletic Association. The work of the Big Brother Movement was stressed by Mr. Furness, who said the public was not aware of the useful work being undertaken. Mr. C. J. Tunks said that since its inception in 1926 a total of 421 boys who had been before the Children’s Court had been passed on to the Y.M.C.A., and the association had issued to each boy a free membership, :tnd had arranged for an older man to lake an interest in the boy. Though the movement was not yet fully effective, the percentage of boys who appeared again before the Children’s Court was very low and the system was a decided improvement on the old system of probation.