Y.M.C.A. AFFAIRS

Wairarapa Age, 26 March 1929, Page 3

Y.M.C.A. AFFAIRS

DIRECTORS’ ANNUAL REPORT YEAR OF ACHIEVEMENTS. SURVEY Of" EXPANDING ACTIVITIES. The president of the Masterton Y.M.C.A., Mr. J. H. Handyside, in presenting to the annual meeting of members, of the Association, the directors’ report for the year ended February 28, 1929, reported inter alia that on the whole, the year just closed had been marked by great achievements and real successes and observed that directors and members alike had every reason to be proud of their Association. The members of the directorate during the year were as follow:—Mr. J. H. Handyside (president), Rev. J. Cocker and Mr. G. Joy (vice-presidents), Mr. F. Pinkney and Mr. E. J. Clarke (hon. secretary), and Mr. C. A. Hendry (hon. treasurer), Messrs. G. W. Morice, H. M. Peacock, A. J. Daysh, W. Camp-, bell, H. L. Pearce, T. L. Elder, A. M. Sanson, W. A. Clarke, E. W. Weymouth. MEMBERSHIP INCREASE, The membership of the Association shows a total increase of 52 on last year, the total at February 28 being 268. In addition to the above figures there were on the gymnasium rolls 90 ladies, girls and boys who were not members of the Association, thus making a total membership in all departments of 358 as compared with 288 in the previous year. Touching on religious work, the report observed that whenever a boy or young man entering into the Association’s programme or building is helped to be a better boy or man, or even restrained from being a worse one, then the Association has in part at. least, fulfilled its purpose as a religious organisation. In addition to this, however, the weekly reading of the Bible was a personal requirement nf the programme in the Boys’ Department and, these readings were discussed in the individual club meetings which were always opened with prayer. In the Boys’ Camps, too. daily devotions and talks had their places on the programme and were entered into with true sincerity by the boys. In the senior department two Sunday afternoon teas were organised as special occasions for the purpose of presenting the Christian messages as the heavy weekly programme made it impossible for the general secretary to do anything in this direction with seniors during the week.

Approximately 5000 took advantage during the year of the social facilities provided by the Association. The billiard room was well patronised and a number of tournaments were held under the auspices of a senior club formed during the winter months. A number of successful social functions were-or-ganised; some of them in co-operation with the Ladies 7 Auxiliary. Activities of a defintely educational character have been maintained by means of the Esperanto group and the Optimist Club. The former maintains a membership of 16 and the influence of the class is a growing one. The Optimist Club continues to afford a weekly opportunity for social intercourse and attractive education by means of its luncheons and addresses. The membership of the club is 22. The programme of the Junior Department alos includes educational features of various kinds. PHYSICAL INSTRUCTION. The physical department shows a record of steady progress during the past few years and the 1928 season was no exception. During the season the gymnasium was by far the livest section of the work. The total gymnasium attendance for 1928 was 3477 nearly 25 per cent, more than in 1927, which showed a similar increase over 1926. The progress recorded in the physical department during'the year led to the proposal that a fully qualified physical instructor be employed for the next season. The proposal met with a good response and if sufficient support is forthcoming we are hoping to have a first-class instructor in charge of the Association’s gymnasium for the new season. JUNIOR DEPARTMENT. An early start was made with the club work in the Junior Department last year, when three clubs were formed much after the fashion of the previous year. At the end of the year there were 81 boys in the Association’s Junior Department as compared with 71 in the previous year. In addition there are 45 other boys in the .gymnasium classes, making a total number of 126 boys coming within the Association’s influence. (108 in 1927.) COMMUNITY WORK. The Association’s facilities, equipment, staff and adaptability made it the ideal organisation for certain kinds of community work, and the number of

calls made upon the Association in these directions is very considerable. The work commenced over two years ago in connection with juvenile delinquents is one illustration. During the year concluded there were over 390 recorded interviews with such .boys and their parents, including nine attendances at the Magistrate’s Court. A total of 15 boys reported regularly at the Y.M.C.A. and most of them have shown themselves capable of better things. This is a. piece of work the Y.M.C.A. is particularly suited for, and if we can rescue these boys from developing into anti-social individuals we have surely more than justified our place in the community. Flock House boys coming into the district are invited not only to make use of the Y.M.C.A. building facilities when in town, but also to regard the Y.M.C.A. secretary as a ready friend and helper. During last winter the Y.M.C.A. was for a few months a centre of activities in connection with the relief of distress committee of which the general secretary was honorary secretary. The Association has also played a part in military work and besides giving the freedom of the rooms to visiting cadets in training, magazines and books have been supplied to the military camps at Waipukurau. FINANCE. Early in the year it was realised that a special effort would have to be made to increase the number of sustaining subscribers to the Association. As a result of this effort £4B was added io the regular income in sustaining subscribers and £34 was received in donations. In spite of this, however, there was an excess of payments over receipts amounting to £54 2s 6d, of which amount, however, £24 represents the payment of sundry debtors appearing in the previous year’s balance sheet. The Association is in the happy position of having £l5OO as an endowment fund and the directors are very anxious to build this up so as to place the AssoCia- j tion on a solid financial basis. The attention of all friends of the Association

is drawn to this very fine opportunity of permanently assisting a worthy object, when considering making beqßests, etc. The directors feel satisfied that if a further £lOO can be added to the Associations 1 regular annual income, not only will all financial difficulties disappear but the Association will be able to do more efficient and intensive work. LADIES’ AUXILIARY. The Association continues to be deeply indebted to the band of ladies whose devotion to the Y.M.C.A. cause makes possible much greater success than could otherwise be expected. Thanks were expressed, also, to the National Committee and the National Secretaries, the Trust Lands Trustees, the Churches, the Press, the Rotary and Optimist Clubs, the Honorary Auditor, Mr. A. D. Low, and all subscribers, donors and helpers who by their generosity and sympathy have made a continuance of the work possible throughout another yoflr.’