Y.M.C.A. NOTES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19843, 18 May 1927, Page 3

Y.M.C.A. NOTES

HERE AND THERE WITH Y.M.C.A. MEMBERS. (Contributed by the Association). We recently had a vis.it from Air. “Happy” Silver, who has had a great deal of experience with' the Y.M.C.A. He was first associated with it overseas, then in Christchurch, Palmerston North and AVellington. Of late years Mr Silver has been closely in touch with the “Toe II.” movement. At tho present time he is connected with lhe Prisons Department. Mr. D. D. Milligan, the general secre-tary-elect of tho Wanganui Y.M.C.A., will arrive in Wanganui to-day for a stay of ten days, after which he will pay a brief visit to Australia, returning to AVanganui on July 1. Mr. Spencer Green, physical director of tho Christchurch Y.M.C.A., leaves for America in July. He intends to stay in America during the time his son is receiving his education. A most highly qualified instructor, Air. Green will be missed from the New Zealand secretariat. He is the only New Zealand director holding the degree of Master of Physical Education. General regret will be expressed at the departure of Air. R. A. Kenner from the ranks of tho secretariat. Air. Kenner has accepted an important position on the Auckland Star, a journal with which ho was connected prior to 11 he war. Air. Kenner saw considerable war service with the Y.M.C.A. and was i at one time in charge of the “Alasonic” I hut. lie was also attached to tho’Artillcry and only recently attended the ’Artillery reunion at, Auckland. I From all’ quarters one hears of the ! very good work done by Air. Vic. • French at Flock House. Prior to his ' departure for Dunedin, he received a rousing send off from the Flock House i boys.

; Air. “Jim” Hay. the pioneer I Y.M.C.A. secretary with the N.Z.E.F, land until recently general secretary of i the AVellington Y.M.C.A., is now secretary of Ballantync's Ltd., Christchurch. He still takes an interest in the Y.M.C.A., being chairman of tho younger men’s department of the Christchurch Y.M.C.A. IN THE BUILDING. The weekly attendance in the boys’ I department during the last two weeks I in April averaged 440. The total enrolment ir. gym classes I is 148, but with the addition of the I Technical College Ist. XV. and the es- I tablishing of a business men’s gym R class, the number should approximate | .180, which will be a record for Wan- I ganui. The business men’s gym class | from 5.15 p.m. on Mondays and Thurs- I days promises to be. a most popular I •feature of the physical classes. The | first class will be held on Alonday, 23rd I inst. The St. Paul’s choir will be giving a I concert in aid of the Y.M.C.A. at an j I early date. They will be assisted by | the Y.M.C.A. orchestra. The AVanganui Pieriots arc also giv- I ing a conceit in the Opera House to- I wards the end of June. “DAD” There are three stages in a Son’s I relations to his father. Ju the first | stage Father appears to him to be the | chief instrument of correction. bon | has alternately dreaded and respected | and occasionally enjoyed his father; I the latter when lie is a real human. In j the second stage of the boy’s? | is the hero, tho one who figures more i largely in Son’s ideas than any other | person. Lucky is that father who en- I joys his sixteen year old son as much L as he wants Son to understand him. il Then comes the period of equality, of ! partnership, of relations man to man. j The senior college age on to the thir- L tieth and fortieth year afford for Son gj the priceless opportunity for real equality with Dad. A new period is this to both Son and Father. One rejoices in the new revelation of capacity and usefulness in the younger man, and the other draws upon the experiences and acGomplishments of the older. The one no longer seems callow nor the other crusty, as they come into the full tide of their maturer life together. It is a wonderful period for both, of them. Son is now treated as a perfect equal and associate, and it means much to him, but it is even a greater thing for Dad to share the idealism and courage and cultural and professional training of his son. It renews the youth of the older man. He says in his heart, “This makes all the struggle of the earlier years worth-while.” But sad is the maturity of that father whose character is not such as to command the respect, of his son. Terrible is the after life of the son who does not dare to reveal himself to an honourable rather, but we like to think that such sons and fathers are in a vast minority, and that the true and strong are representative. The best relationships between father and son are a great help in bringing about a good world. If Father cannot trust Son, whom can he trust? If Son isn’t, devoted to Father, whom does he respect? WHERE’S MOTHER? Bursting in from school or play, This is what the children say, Tripping, crowding, big and small, On the threshold, in the hall, Joining in the constant cry. Ever as the days go by, ‘‘AVherc’s Mother?” From the weary bed of pain, - Thi? same question comes again; From the boy with sparkling eyes, Bearing homo his earliest prize; From the bronzed and bearded son. Perils past and honours won, “AVhcre’s Mother?” Burdened with a lonely task, One day we may vainly ask, For the comfort of her face, For the rest of her embrace; Let us love her while we may, AVell for us that we can say, “Where’s Mother?” At the post of duty stands; Patient, seeking not. her own, Anxious for lhe good alone, Afother with untiring hands, Of the children as they cry, Ever as the days go by, “Where’s Mother?”