Y. M. C. A.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2630, 12 October 1909, Page 7

Y. M. C. A.

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of tlio Young Men’s Christian Association wds held last night, Mr. F. S. Malcolm presiding. The report stated that in presenting the first annual report since the inception of the forward' movement of the Gisborne Y.M.C.A., the Board of Directors felt that their hopes had been more than realised, and that there Avere still greater possibilities in the future. The Board appointed _ last year met regularly, twelve ordinary and six special meetings having been held. Messrs J. Dawson, J. It. Kirk, E. H. Mannj. and Captain W. Gumming were appointed l to vacancies occurring during the year. These gentlemen, with Messrs J. C. Aicken, F. S. Malcolm, F. Ohas. Perry, C. D. M. Rosie, and. T. E. Toneycliffe, retired from office, but offered themselves for re-eleotion. Messrs H. Adair, J. Peach, J. W. J. Preston, and J. C. E. Kissling, having been elected for two years, continued' in office for another twelve months. The generous assistance and suport accorded by the citizens of the town and country friends made it possible for the directors to undertake work for the young men of the town on a Jarger. scale than was at first anticipated. About £3OO per annum for three years had been promised. and although the initial expenses Avere high, nearly £3OO having been spent in furnishing, the financial position must be regarded as fairly satisfactory. The balance-sheet shoAVed a debit balance at 30th September, but the next year’s expenditure Avould not be so heavy. There Avere at present 390 names on the membership roll, alloAving for removals and resignations. This very satisfactory number Avas due largely to the intense interest taken in the red and blue membership campaign, just prior to the opening of the rooms, Avhen over 300 members Avere enrolled Avithin a fortnight. The energy displayed by the campaigners, and the publicity given to the Association movement at that time, had done much to establish the Avork on a permanent footing. Although a number of these members Avere bound to drop out in the course of time, it Avas anticipated that no difficulty will be experienced in maintaining the membership. The religious Avork of the Association had been quietly but nersistently carried on. Meetings* for men, addressed by ministers and prominent laymen, had been held on Sunday afternoons, the attendances at which varied from 25 to 150. In addition, a Gospel meeting conducted by the young men had been held on Sunday evenings after the church services. A Bible-class meets for study on Sunday mornings, and the Bible Study Club, Avhich has its meetings on Saturday evening, was AA r ell attended. The help given in the past to the country churches continued to be one of the religious activities of the Association, and there AA’ere 22 men enlisted in this Avork. A sum of £lO per annum had been guaranteed the National Committee by a number of members to support a Y.M.C.A. secretary at Hyderabad, India. The educational features had been necessarily limited. OAving to lack of accommodation. The Literary and Debating Society completed a ver- successful session with Rev. AY. Lamb as president and Mr. G. D. Malcolm as secretary. The mock Parliamentary debates held periodically were specially popular. To encourage young speakers, a Junior Society was formed, and marked improvement Avas shown bv the members attending the various meetings. A Glee Club was formed under the leadership of Mr. H. G. McClymont, and attention had been gi\*en to the study of photography and Esperanto. The Association Avas indebted to seA reral gentlemen for gifts of books and magazines of an educational nature, and later on it was intended to extend the small library noAv existing. The directors, recognising the need of a gymnasium in the town, decided to lease a portion of Read’s Quay Hall, and equip it Avith the necessary apparatus. Thirty-five men were enrolled in the senior class, and the Board desired to record their appreciation of the good services rendered by Messrs Kissling. Knibb, Watts, Goldsmith, and Bloomfield as honorary instructors and Mr. R. J. Saunders, secretary of the Physical Committee. In _ football three Rugby, teams and a British Association Club were formed, and a team also entered for the hockey competition. A Ladies’ Auxiliary was termed, Avith the Mayoress (Mrs. W. D. Lysnar) as president, and Miss F. Quigley as secretary. It rendered invaluable service to the Association. OAving to lack of facilities, work among boys had not been attempted, excepting for a gymnasium class, Avhich had 40 members. An endeavor was being made, however, to establish the boys scouts movement. The financial statement _ showed an excess of assets over liabilities amounting to £263 7s, on September 30th, 1909. For the year, hoAvever, the excess of expenditure over income avus £74 19s 6d. Qf the expenditure £337 19s 6d represented furniture and appliances. The Chairman, after briefly opening the meeting, moved the adoption of the report and balance-sheet. In seconding the motion, Mr. J. R. Kirk said that the report gave great reason for thankfulness, and for hope for the future. It was a most creditable thing that the Association had draAvn to it nearly 400 young men of this town.

The report and balance-sheet Avere then adopted. In the absence of other nominations, the retiring directors were re-elected, Avith the addition of Mr. J. D. Harries. A hearty vote of thanks to the cliariman of directors (Mr. _ Malcolm) Avas proposed by Mr. H. Adair, seconded by Mr. Rosie, and carried unanimons’lv. On the. suggestion of Mr. Rosie, the hon. treasurer was included in the vote. On the motion of the Chaircnan vseconded by Mr. Dawson , a vote of thanks was passed to the secretary, Mr. Webster, and placed on the minutes. A vote of thanks to the Ladies Auxiliary and. to all the leaders in all branches of work, was proposed by Mr. Malcolm, and carried unanimously.