Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1916-07-10
NINE
HOW THEY. N. {. A. NFAR india
AND ELSEWHERE MET OPPORTUNITY

the ladies Of the city wAlSed on the
| men in person, an unheard Of thing
for the Tommies. In other canton
ments II was in the form OF regular
systematic groups in small numbers
going 10 various homes for games and
teas. A notable feature Of the Madras
work Is the arrangement Of trips 70
one OF the City'S seaside resorts, Il
miles from the city, where the men
had eats. smokes. drinks. games
swims and other amusements, all free
Of charge. the members Of the Ma
dras Club. the most aristocratic club
in South India, paying all the bills
After one Of these trips one Of the
men said that it was the best time
that he had had in India, and many
echoed their willingness to have pai6
their share Of the expenses OF tho
outing If only they could get the,
oftener. 1t filled a real need.
Recreation is a great need in a eli
mate like India where many OF the
men are kept indoors for four hours
during the heat of the day to prevent
sunstroke The temperature often
climbs to 120 degrees Fahrenheit in
some of the northern environments
and several deaths have occurred al
ready from strokes. The splendid ath.
letic equipment and athletic fields 81
the Y NJ. c. AS have been used verv
freely by the men Matches in hockey.
football and cricket have been ar.
ranged both among the men and with
outside Indian teams of the best
caliber.
Glasses Organized.
Educational classes in Hindustanl,
Urdu, and other languages have been
organized in many places. Trips TO
places of historic and educational in
,terest have been arranged In others.
For example, large group went from
Bangalore to Seringapatam, the scene
of stirring times in mutiny days. In
Madras all the men were taken around
the great harbor works, one Of the
best examples of an artificial harbor
in the world. In Lucknow groups have
been taken to Delhi. Agra and Ben.
ares, the famous holy city Of the Hin
dus. Educational lectures on war sub.
jects, prevention of Indian diseases,
comparative religions, tours, engin-
eering, architecture, social service
work, etc. have been given BY the
best local European. American and In
dian talent. Moving pictures have
kept hundreds occupied, facilities for
writing letters home have been pro
vided by the association, pianos have
been loaned for the tents or buildtnge
and gramophone records are kept on
regular circuit for all the associa'
items. Tea bars and refreshment
stands are the rule in almost every
army Y. M. G. A. and in many cases
the local ladies oversee the food and
even serve it themselves In cases.
Libraries have been made up Of
loaned books and papers are regular
ly contributed for the branch. In
my own association It Is o highly aps
preciated thing to leave papers In the
fort hospital for the man on his
back" @-@.
The religious work has not been
neglected although government In &C.
cordance with her national policy 10
not allowed to make any CONCESSIONS
for such work with Indian troops.
Bible classes and mission study
groups have been organized and the
pheasant Sunday Evening" meetings
are regular thing IN most associa-
tions with singing, good straight
talk and prayers. In some places like
Madras small group meetings are held
for the men in private homes and are
eagerly attended. for the men are be.
ginning to get fed up on barrack
life. Last Of all. the association has
become place of resort and rest from
the monotony of garrison life. where
man may find friends and ccmpan-
ions, enjoy d game Of billiards, Of
concert, hear a lecture or q talk on
serious subjects, and best Of all find
4 substitute. the best that can be pro-
vided. for them away from their own
homes. After the war viii be great
days for the British Y. NJ. @. As.
= I