WORK OF THE Y.M.C.A.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12710, 22 March 1911, Page 3

WORK OF THE V.M.C.A.

AUCKLAND'S YEAR OF PROGRESS

PLANNING THE NEW r BUILDING

The reports presented at the annual meeting of the Auckland V.M.C.A. on Friday evening last, without exception, referred in enthusiastic terms to the excellent results of the past 12 months' working. There was> an attendance of about 300 persons, and th's cliaiv ■ ms occupied by Mr J. W. Stewart, president.

The report of the Rieligious Work Committee said there had been great improvement in all meetings held ibr religious instruction and interoourse; th? general secretary had shown them improved methods and a large amount of success had followed. A policy had been adopted, which would provide for courses of Bibls study during the coming session " The- physical department is not the. least important in Iths Association," said another report, "we consider thai ib stands for all that is strong and good and manly, and offers all nembers privileges and advantages which «re not always availed of to the extP^nfc they might be. The various branches were kept going under capable ma.na^'jirent. and excellent work was acconv plifihed." Reports on the educational, sooiVil, and boys' departments were also read. The memilvrship ciommtittr^'s ray>ort stated that during the year 201 applications for membership had be&n passed, 33 more than in the previous year. The number of members wes now 532, as against 501 in the previous year. A statement showing the position of the building fund stated that tha total n.rr>.nTi"+, nf «iibscHt)+oTis wo mised wns £11;793 10s Bd, and tfiat' of this amous"' £8560 Is Id had been collected, leaving £3233 9s 7d still unpaid. The rew buildingl s&'te was valued at £7(>00 and fisseltls 'botrj'led £'11.959 8s 2d, liabilities amounting to £70 3s.

The balance-sheet stat3d that receipts during the year amounted to £1.434 9a 2d, and included members' subscriptions £314, donations and Knox liequest £295 16s lOd, forward movement £333, and.rente £34^. Th»x year had been started with a debt balance of £204 17e 3d, and ©nded witii a credit balance of £34 7s 3d Assets amounted to £14,603 7s 3d, and' exceeded liabilities by £10,428. The repoprts and balance-sheet were adopted on the motion of Mr Wesley Spragg, second by Mr W. E. Bush.

The secretary, Mr Joseph MeFarlane, gave an inspiring address. The Auckland Association, he said, had justified its existence during the past year. It was a live organisation of young men to help in the extension of Christ's kingdom, and expert workers were required. For the.t purpose they li.-ul planned for Easter a workers' camp at Waimarino.

The president, in his address, said that during the year the association had made a distinct step in advance in the appointment of Mr MeFarlnir> as general secretary. From his energy and devotion they expected gre.it results, and already his efforts we/c telling in the right direction. Speaking of ithe new building, he said that the plans had been prepared by the architect, and were_now under serious consideration by the Board. It would be> necessary for them to have more money but they hoped to be able to erect a building that* "would compare favourably with others in the Australasian colonies, and one that Auckland '.\ould be proud of.