YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN AS SOCIATION.

Colonist, Volume L, Issue 12206, 1 April 1908, Page 2 (Supplement)

YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN AS SOCIATION.

THE^A NNUAL MEETING

The annual meeting of the Y.M.O.A. was beid on March 26 in the Association's rooms in Hardy street, when the President (Rev. £C. |H. Garland) occupied the chair. The annual report was read by Mr A. E. Robinson, the honorary secretary* The annual report presented! by the Board stated that at an informal meeting, called by Mr H. Hurst, and held on Wednesday, 13th July, 1907, it was the unanimous opinion of those present that the Y.M.O.A. should be resuscitated. Several meetings were .held subsequently, and the constitution was drawn up and officers elected, the Rev. C H. GarJand being the first President, and Mr N. Webley hon. secretary. It I was with the highest hopes that the association was relaunched, after a long period of inactivity. The members were to be congratulated upon the comfortable temporary quarters which they now had. Friends bad forwarded gifts which had greatly added to the brightness I and homelike appearance of the rooms, and the thanks of the Board were due to those who bad so hberallv heloed in supplying magazines, etc. The reading room wa9 well supplied with literature, and was well patronised, while the bagatelle table added to the attractions of the rooms. Thanks were expressed to those members Avho bad exercised a great deal of self-denial in attending night after night to open and look after the rooms. Bible classes and devotional meetings had been held on Sundays, but the executive felt tbat there Avas lack of interest in these, and trusted that in the future this would be remedied. The gym nasium classes bad been weU attended, and .the Literary and Debating Society under the presidency of the late Mr T. M. Grant had proved very successful. Regret was expressed that for lack of conveniences the strangers' teas had to'be abandoned, butt it was hoped that these Avould be recommenced. Reference was made to the success of the garden party held at Mr Branford's, and it was reported thafc the membership now stood at 200.

Mr E. Webley moved tbe adoption of the report, and referred to the valuable -services of Mr Robinson, who had proved to be the right man in the right place.. Seconded by Mr. Bradbury, and

carried unanimously. Mr Lang reported as to the Bible class and the deA-otional meetings. A wish was expressed that t&e latter would be better attended in the future.

On the motion of Mr F. V. Knapp, seconded by Mr King, Mi Lang's report was adopted, and his services were acknowledged. Mr H. Wood, the honorary treasurer, submitted the balance sheet, which showed a deficit of about £27, but some subscriptions are still owing and a hope was expressed that these would soon be paid. Mr E. Webley thought an effort by' means of lectures and entertainments should be' made to wipe the deficit off.

Mr F. V. Knapp considered tbe Association had done Aery well, considering the heavy expenditure for furniture and other requisites, _ to come out at the end of their first year with such a. small debit, which he hoped would soon disappear. The election of officers was proceeded wifch.

The Secretary reported that only one nomination had been received for the office of President, namely, the ReA\ C. H. Garland. The announcement was received with applause. The Chairman said he esteemed tbe honor of being President of the Association, but he felt that he had been unable to do full justice to the ottice from a laok of time, ancl he was afraid he codld not for that reason take the position for a second year. Messrs Knapp. Bredbury, Page and Webley urged that Mr Garland should accept tim office for another year: the Association greatly needing a good man at the helm. They suggested the night of the Board's meetings could be altered, if there was any interference with Mr Garland's clerical duties.

The Chairman consented to accept the nomination, and amidst applause he was re-elected as President. The Secretary reported that Messrs F. V. Knapp "and E. Webley had been nominated for the two VicePresidents. Mr Knapp said he must decline nomination, as the position had interfered too much with his work. Mr Webley explained his views on certain matters re being m favor of providing a billiard room and even a smoking room, Avith a view to get hold of the young men who frequent the streets, billiard rooms and public houses. If the members chose to elect him notwithstanding he held such views, he would hot decline to take ofiice. (Applause). Mr Weoley was duly elected. The Chairman pointed out that the rules did not provide for nominations being received at the annual meeting. He considered that was a mistake, and a special meeting should be called to amend the rules where found necessary. No nomination was received for the office of Secretary. Mr Robinson said he could not continue m office as he was leaving Nelson. A minute Avas read from the Board's meeting in which it was recommended that efforts shoud be put forth to procure a permanent or paid secretary. Mr Bredbury spoke en the importance of having some such officer, whose duty ifc would be to see that the room was opened and lighted up. On being requested by resolution. Mr Webley undertook to try and collect special donations towards paying a Secretary. Tbe President intimated pi 3 willingcess to contribute towards tbe fund.

Mr Bredbury offered to temporarily fill tbo office of honorary Secre tary until a Secretary had been elected, and his kind offer was accepted,

Tbe following members were elected to the Board of Management, Messrs H. A u tice, S. P. Lang, J. Antice, G. Blake, G. Page J. Heath, H. A. Hobbs. J. Bredbury, E. H. King, and Thomas Petit, Mr H. Wood elected as honorary treasurer.

Mes^is A. Robertson and Mears were appointed as auditors. Votes of thanks were accorded to to the retiring Vice - Presidents (Messrs Knapp and Carr), to Mr Robinson and his colleagues who had acted as honorary Secretary, and to the local newspapers for reports. It. was announced that next Thursday eA-ening, April 2nd, the members of the Literary branch would meet to arrange syllabus for the winter season.

lt was resolved to call, a special meeting for Monday evening, April 27th, for amending the miss, fche proposed -amend incuts to be posted up in the io'jlu of the Association seven days prior to April 27th. The meeting was then brought to a close.