The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1883-04-25
Y. M Q. a.
Welcome Stranger ! =


The dedicaiory exercises connected with tie
first public opening uf the rooms Of the Young
Mems Christian Association, was held in the
lecture room of the new building on the evening
Of the aIst inst and was the event of the season.
Long before the hour announced for the opening
Of the exercises the room occupied by repre-
santatives of tho wealth beauty and fashion in the
community and the brilliantly lighted chandeliers
amongst whom were His Majesty the King. mem
bers Of the ROYAL Family, Government officials,
members OF the diplomatic and consular corps
members of the Ministry, and the stranger within
our gates. On the raised platform at the Era end
Of the nom were seated Hon. A. +. Judd. Chan
cellor Of the Kingdom and President of the Y. N.
c. A., Amasa Pratt Esq, the retiring President
Rev. ). c. Damon Of the Bethel Pastor ]. A. Cru
zan Of the Fort Street Congregational Church. F.
c. Jones Jr., Rev. DIR. HYDE and Mr.. I. H. Davies
programme had been- arranged and the first
event was an instrumental duet. piano, by Miss
Hessie Dickson ard Mrs. Theo. II. Davies. The
composition played was rule bTfiiaHfc and the
Performance won deserved applause. President
Judd then requested the audience to assist the
choir in singing the hymn Jesus shall reign
and hearty response vas accorded. Rev. \ G.
Damon delivered an earnest dedicatory PRAYER.
followed by the anthem. ''Hark bark my soul
very effectively rendertd by the choir. consisting
Of AIrs. Hanford, Miss Parke, Mrs. W. W. Hall,
Miss. Carrie Castle and Messrs W. W Hail. ]. l.
Warehouse Jr.. c. NJ. Cooke and ]. Starkey, Mr..
u. H. Jones. presiding at the piano. The report
Of the Building Committee was then read by Mr..
p c. Jones Jr.. a follows:
Nh. PEIsIpESr:-As Chairman of the Building
Committee / beg to submit final report this
evening 1heie are still some things TO be finished.
and some slight alterations to be made, but they
will not interfere with occupying the building.
The committee consists Of Mr.. c. NJ. Cooke. Mr..
]. b. Atherton and myself. The working in
the committee Is Mr.. Cooke. We have had much
10 perpe1 and annoy since We accepted this trust;
We have been misunderstood and misrepresented;
and feel that II Is proper for me 10 make an e1-
plantation of some of the delays which have come
up from time to time. though no fault Of the CON-
miiiee.
We were ANXIOUS to select a location that was
central aud EASY Of access. Some lots thought to
IL desirable We could not get perfect title; one
lot selected, but II was necessary TO communi-
cate with the owner, who lives in the United States.
We corrusponded with him, causing delay of two
months; but he declined to sell
We finally decided upon the present site. but
had TO wait three months before we could obtain
possession.
Again We we've delayed in obtaining plans. Many
promised but at our annual meeting last yei.r only
one complete plan was presented. and one rough
plan designed by Mr.. Cooke. This latter was ac-
c.pttL by the Society, but were DELAYED IN get
ting our working plans 80 Us 10 get our tenders
We were obliged 10 postpone opening tenders in
older TO give all chance to bid. When they were
opened the lowest bid was about sl6-0, the highest
over $1,000. Nine bids were received. Without
reducing the size Of the building weakening the
structure reduced the cost to SIG 900 and finally
concluded and signed the contract at that price,
fixing the date at which the building shOuld be
finished Dee ., but no peualty was attached for
nOn-fulhllmeni as TO date, and 1t Is now months
since that time when We take possession
The Committee are all fully satisfied with the
work done We BELIEVE Mr.. Lucas has given Us
all the contract called and the work has been faith
fully and honestly done.
| herewith present a Statement Of the cost Of
this property: