MOTHER AND SONS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19865, 13 June 1927, Page 8

MOTHER AND SONS

Y.M.C.A. BANQUET A SUCCESSFUL FUNCTION “A boy’s best friend- is his mother” goes inc well-known saying. 1 bus it is with the object of impressing this important fact on the young mind, that a considerable porL°n of the work among the more youthful members of the Young Men’s Christian Association is devoted. The director of boys’ work in the Wanganm Y.M.C.A., Mr E. J. Ward, explained to a “Chronicle” man during the course of the annual Mother and Son Banquet on Saturday evening that the function was held in order to give the boy a truer appreciation of his home life. Certainly the gathering was a happy one, for when the “Chrqnicle” man arrived at the meeting—there were over 200 mothers and sons present—he was impressed at onee with the extent of the work of the Y.M.C.A. junior idjepartment, and. with the obvious spirit of jollification prevailing. The Y.M.C.A. gymnasium had been effectively decorated with foliage for the occasion, and catering arrange - ments were made by a band of young women. The Mayor, Mr W. J. Rogers, was present, and in replying to the toast “Our City,” said that the gathering augured well for the future of the city. He gave advice to the assemblod* boys, and- declared that the greatest test of citizenship was character. Were the boys to take the advice of Mother, they would make good citizens. Miss M. A. Newcome spoke to the gathering on “Loyalty.” During the programme, Mr J. McMillan, president of the Wanganui Y.M.C.A., made reference to the approaching departure for Christchurch of the secretary, Mr A. J. McEhdowney. He eulogised} the services rendered by Mr McJDldowney, who responded to Mr McMillan’s remarks. Cheers were given for Mr and Mrs McEldowney. Mr E. J. Ward, boys’ director, made the concluding speech. Numerous choruses were sung during the function, and items were given by the Y.M.C.A. Orchestra undser the baton of Mr W. A . Bowra. Visitors to the function, including Mr Basil Dean, Mrs G. E. Tarrant andMiss I). Dempsey, gave items and* were recalled freely. The following musical and vocal, numbers were given:—Song (“Mother O’Mine”), Mrs G. Jl. Tarisnt; violin solo, (“Old Folks at Lome”), Miss D, Dempsey; vocal an I musical items. Mr Basil Dean; xylophone »010, (“PytlJan March”), Mr Norftn Koss; soug ' (“Come to the Fnir”), Mr G. P. Williamson; soig (“That’s What God Made Mntucr For”). Master VT iamson. Toasts honoured; were as under:— “Our King and’ Country,” proposed by Mr G. P. Williamson, chairman off the Boys’ Division Cabinet; “Our iCity,” Master Jack Kerr; “A Boy’s [Best Friend—His Mother.” Master Fred, Young; and “To Dad,” Master Norman Neilsen. The function concluded with the singing of .“Auld Lang Syne” and “God Save the King.”