New Britain herald., 1917-10-18
'. N. |. A. MAKING
 STRIDES IN INDIA
Annual Report Of General SeCre- tary Shows Gratifying Results

Y M. c. A. work in India is mak- ing rapid strides, in spite of the war, according to the annual report re- ceived by General Secretary c. H. Barnes of the local association from E. J. Simonds, M. A. B. &c.,, general secretary of the Poona Y. M. c. A., India. The salary of MT. Simonds is provided for by the New Britain as- sociation.
 The report in part follows:
 'PoOna has now three Young Mems Christian associations, which are all connected with the National Council of the Young Mems Christian asso- citation of India and Ceylon. A new constitution has been drawn up in order that each association and all new branches to be formed shall have unity of action.
 "The various associations now existing have elected four members each, for the general board of di- rectors. These twelve have in turn co-opted three more. Thus the pres cnt civil and military branch, the student committee, and the active members of the city association, have all conferred in bringing this new constitution and board of directors in to being.
 '"The board of directors is to be the central governing body for all asso- citation work of Poona. It will ac- quire and hold all property of the association. The branch committees have the detailed management of their respective branches.
 lowing to the fact that the board of directors has just been organized, the report for this year is mainly of the work done by the various branch committees. We believe that the va rious branches will continue to feel the responsibility for the development of their own work. The board of di rectors will help to coordinate the entire work and assist each branch whenever possible.
 The work for British troops is car ried on in three places. The work is supervised by a committee of man. agement of which Major Sir Michael Tighe, K. c. G. M., is chair ] man and A. H. Boult Esq, is hon. 1 orary treasurer.
 l A staff of five secretaries is en- l ployed, two working at Connaught Institute and one each at Kirkee and l Pashan. The general secretary of the 1 Poona associations gives not less than l tWo-thirds of his time to the army work. The salaries of these men are paid by the National Council of Y. l M. c. A.
 l Membership.
 | The doors of the Army branches are open alike to all No fees for membership are charged. Any civil ian young man who desires the privi- l leges is welcome. Were it not for the ! support of the National Council and gifts from Poona friends this would ] not be possible.
 Every week sees from one to three special evenings, concert at least once a fortnight, a social each Thurs day evening, and many evenings es- pecially for games have been attract ing hundreds of men weekly. Nearly every week this past year has seen a lecture of some kind. Poona and Bombay's best speakers have been se- cured. Men and women who know conditions and the work they are giv- ing their lives to, have been on the list of speakers. Special lectures on the religious customs and conditions of the people of India have been numerous. Lectures concerning the work of the most of Poona's mission ary enterprises have been given.
 Boys and girls from nearly all of these mission schools have taken part in these programs and have given the soldiers much better idea of the real work of the missionary societies.
 Sunday evening services are held every week. A good songsservice, and a short address is the usual form of service.
 Kirl@ee Camp Army Branch.
 Only few days after the opening of new camps at Kirkee and Pashan the Red Triangle, Army Young Mems 1 Christian Association emblem, was seen on five cents. Permanent huts have now been built for these camps The first four days the Kirkee camp
 was opened the soldiers used 7.5O0 sheets of stationery and 2OOO enve- lopes. An average of 25,OOO sheets of letter paper have been used month ly in these camps.
 Whenever the men are off duty at the camps you will find them gathered