ONEHUNGA NEWS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVII, Issue 197, 18 August 1906, Page 6

ONEHUNGA NEWS.

»^— ■ ■ MANUKAU YACHT CLUB BALL. The annual ball of tbe Manukau Yacht Cli'b, held at Onehunga in the Public Hall last night, was one. of the» most brilliant functions of the kind ever held in the district. The event has come to be looked forward to as one of the most enjoyable social events of the winter season, and the fact that 125 couples attended last night's ball goes to prove the contention. The ball, as the work of many hours and many willing bands, presented quite a transformation scene, and viewed from the gallery, waa picturesque in the extreme. The stage was very prettily decorated, representing a bower from Arcadia. It was entirely screened in with a net-work of nikau and puhga ferns; from the ceiling was suspended a large model of the yacht Shamrock III.: in the centre were displayed the club trophies, and the silver competition cups. The walls were hung with handsome oil paintings of the various craft, which made Onehunga a port of call, kindly lent by the artist, Mr Fraser: conspicuous amongst them was the original of the splendid picture of a. local steamer crossing the Jlanukau Bar. recently reproduced in the "New Zealand Graphic" Bunting was gaily suspended from the walls and ceiling (kindly lent by the Union and Northern Steamship Companies), adding to the festive appearance. Glorious music was contributed by Meredith's Orchestra, wafted from a bower hidden in a. net work of fernery. The supper-room was in keeping with the rest of the. arrangements, the tables lieing prettily decorated and ladened with a mass of good things. The large party present spent a thoroughly enjoyable time, and were unanimous in their congratulations to the committee and its energetic secretary. Mr Jack Park. ONEHUNGA LITERARY CLUB. There was a- very large attendance nt last night's meeting of the Onehunga Literary and Debating Club, held ill the Council" Chambers. Mr Warren Blyth (president) occupied the chair, and apologised for the lack of accommodation, the presence of such a large number not having been anticipated. Proceedings took the form of a debate on the question, "Is it desirable that woman should enter into business competition with man?" Mr .1. N. Rishworth led the argument in the affirmative, and stated a strong case. He contended that the old-time theory that a woman should sit at home doing thread-work and so forth, and waiting for man when grown tired of the joys of bachelor life, to come along and many ber was only a relic- of the pa.st. Woman, he submitted, was educated to a sufficient standpoint to take her pla.ee in the business world, and all honour to her grit in working for her own livelihood. Mr Fred W. Doidgc argued the case in the negative. His contention was that, whereas there were any amount of avenues of employment open to women who by inclination so desired, or by force of circumstances were compelled to earn their own livelihood, they had no right whatever to enter into competition with men. His strong point was that when such competition did exist there was a tendency to cheapen labour; furthermore, that Nature never moulded woman to stand the stress and strain of business life. Several ladies and gentlemen supported the two openers, and a lively debate ensued. Some capital speeches were made, especially by lady mmbers. Mr Biyth supported his coutention in the negative with a list of interesting statistics obtained from the Inspector of Labour. These figures proved that in Auckland there are (KJOO women earning their living, and tlrat 3000 of these are employed in factories. The rate of wages paid is very low, on an average; the amounts earned range from 5/ to £5, amongst women Of over 20 years of age. Mr Rishworth finally replied to the arguments propounded against the affirmative contention. A vote was then taken, and resulted in favour of the negative side of the question—that woman should not enter into business competition with man. The voting was very close, but a show of hands residted in favour of the negative by 25 to 21. It is rather significant that the majority of those present were ladies. Next Friday night's meeting of the club will take the form oi' mock Parliamentary election.