Y.M.C.A.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 17945, 2 May 1928, Page 16

Y.M.C.A.

ANNUAL MEETING. MODIFIED SCHEME OF OPER- - ATI 0 NS. The annual meeting of. the Tima.ru branch of the Young Men’s Christian Association was held on Monday night, Mr C. G. Vogeler presiding over a. good attendance.. . Tiio annual report stated that the past, year had been one of many changes in the membership, especially among the younger senior members, many of whom have removed 'from’ the town, while several -others have joined the “Benedicts.” As no campaign has been held to build up these slirinkages the end of the year louiid the numbers on the roll short of last year’s total. The time, should, now be ripe for an effort to be made to build up this section of the membership before the winter programme commences. The at- , tendance in the senior department :liad been well maintained during the winter, but the operation of the Summertime Bill resulted in a very small attendance in the rooms for most of the summer. Physical culture classes wero held for young women and boys and were well patronised. The Association was indebted to Air K. Moflatt, who lnid again acted as honorary physical instructor to the boys’ classes. The tennis club opened its season early in October, and the courts had been well used during the summer. Several matches were played with other clubs, and the South Canterbury Lawn'Tennis Association used the courts lor its annual competitions. Billiards were again \ ery popular and several successful tournaments were held. A good deal of interest had .been shown in draughts and ping pong, both games being in much demand.' The annual football match with the Dunedin A’.M.C.A. was played in Tiinaru last p-ear, and resulted in a-win for 1 the local team. The Miniature Rifle Club again had a successful season. During'the year the annual father and son ba'nquet and membership rally was held, there being a good attendance. The "Amateur Athletic Club had a very successful year. Sports meetings .were hold regularly and were well patronised by competitors. The country clubs championships were held under, the club’s management this year, and tho local team was successful in securing the greatest aggregate number of points. The hoys’ division, which is the most important department ,of the Association’s work, has this year been conducted upon the club system, with a four square programme. Four clubs were organised under the leadership of members of the senior department. A definite programme was maintained including physical culture, social games, and study circles with several lectures. The problem of how to finance the Association is one that has to be brought before the annual meeting each year, and this y nr has enused your directors very considerable concern. The position had been reached when some definite action is necessary to both meet this year’s liabilities and also to prevent a ' ocurrenco of the position. Alternative schemes for either closing down the activities of the Association for a timp, or for reorganising the space used in this building so as to permit of a further section being leased, were discussed. The National Secretary was nr>pronclied for advice, and thanks to lit l co-operation of the National Council of the Y.M.O.A. the Hoard has been enabled to adopt the latter scheme, and to continue the aelivilies of the Association in Timer l '. The plans are to lens'! ' the present, billiard room and biunge. and to utilise tho big games room at the rear of the building for

the senior department and to use the gymnasium for the boys’ work on tvo nights each week, ic has also been agreed t-o dispose of the tennis court property. The Board expressed than us to many voluntary workers vho assisted in making the work possible, and to those who helped financially; to liir se who have donated trophies, ■ etc., for club competitions, to Mr AV. H. Walton, honorary solicitor, to the Ministers’ and the Nat-ional-Committee (through its National Secretary) who lias been ever ready to assist; also to the local Press, all of whom have assisted in no small measure in making for the success of the programme. Jll moving the adoption of tlie report and balance sheet, • the chairman (Mr Vogeler) said there was a movement a foot to enroll more members. -The directors a? well as the Association were deeply indebted to Mr Iv. Moffatt for the great interest he liad taken in the physical culture classes. The Board had decided to sell the tennis courts and if a good price were received- the amount should cover the interest charge, overdraft, and rates. The present part.of the building in which tho lounge and. billiards had been was to be let. The tables would be shifted to the boys’* room in another part of the building. He stressed tlie matter of unpaid membership subscriptions and hoped they would be paid very shortly, and so alleviate the Association’s position. There was about £IOO owing, and' this had 110 b been included a.s ail asset on the balance sheet.

Air D. Standage said that it was a pit.y that they liad to work on a reduced basis, but the financial strain had been too great. YVliat had been proposed for the coming year he hoped would stop the drift. He made reference to the good work done during the year, and he was pleased to see such a meeting of young members. The secretary (Afr E. G. Cliff in) said he was sorry that they were losing their lounge and billiard room, which was easily one of the best in New Zealand, but everything was done for ilia best, and he io'oked forward to tha time when they would he back again. He said that the payment of membership subscriptions was a serious problem, and the main cause of the falling off was that people liad thought they were closing down for good, and had not bothered to pay as they pay a year in advance. A member: If 100 or 200 new members joined up, it: would knock off the deficiency, or put the club on a good footing. - > 1 Air Vogeler said that this would not he sufficient. At present there were .sustaining members who gave £lO a year as well as others who ga.ve donations, etc., and this was always used up. if tho membership campaign was a success it would go a long way to wipe off tho deficit. The full value of the sale of the courts would help tho Association greatly. Tlie report was adopted. The secretary '.dated that in conjunction with, the membership campaign, an Optimists’ Club was to he formed. This was something similar to a Rotary Chib. 'The tennis court- had been bought out of tlie goneiml funds, and was the sole property of the Y.AI.C.A. and when sold the money would benefit tlie Association entirely. Apologies for absence wore received from Alessps \V. 0. Irwin. AV. Simpson, A. J. ll"idgow.iter and W. R. AVottnn. The election of officers resulted f Directors (last year’s unchanged), Ales-rs C. (I. Vogeler. I). Standage, P. B. Foot'-, c. AV. Cameron, AY. O. Irwin, IT. Orwin. S Andrews, and AA r . Simpson; auditor. Mr G. (Johnson.