Y.M.C.A.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 116, 22 June 1914, Page 5

Y.M.C.A.

WORK IN INDIA. The Y.M.CA. Debating Club met on Saturday night, when Mr J. Caughley, M.A., presided over a large attendance of members.

After the conclusion of the ordinary business an interesting address was delivered by the Rev. J. H, Lang t of Hyderabad. Mr Lang, in the course of his remarks, said that in Hyderabad the Y.M.C.A. had a debating club which met weekly, the students taking a very keen interest in the meetings. Lectures on popular subjects were delivered from time to time by prominent citizens, while a .debate was held ,once a month. The average attendance at the meetings was eighty-four, the natives attending regularly in order to become more proficient in the English language. The membership of the Association was growing steadily in Hyderabad, having increased during the past three years from 25 to 365. The Association had the hearty support of the leading public men of the town, as they realised it was doing good work. Mr Lang urged his hearers to do their share in helping forward the campaign which he had inaugurated. The Associations in America were contributing largely to mission work, and New. Zealand was being asked to do its share. The Hyderabad station was supported entirely by Australasian Associations, and if every member would help the campaign the £6OOO wanted would soon be obtained.

The chairman thanked Mr Lang for his address, and wished him success in his campaign, stating that Mr Lang was a former pupil of his, and he was therefore very glad to notice the good work he was doing in Hyderabad. An elocutionary competition was afterwards held, Mr Caughley being the judge. Recitations were given by Messrs W. J, Mason, H. B. Plimsoll, R. D. Baker, Eric Lund, F. J. Hulston and W. H. Beanjand, and a character sketch by Mr G. Letchford. Mr Lund won the competition, Mr Mason securing second place.