Correspondence.

Press, Volume III, Issue 130, 31 March 1863, Page 2

Correspondence.

TO THE EDITOR OP THE 'TRESS.' Sik,—An article appeared iv the ' Standard' on 'the 24th instant—respecting "The Working Man's Home " about to bo established in this city. As you so ably advocated our cause in two articles on the 28th ult, and 7th instant respec- | tively, I have waited iintil this day in the hopes of seeing somo further remark from your pcn —but in this hope I havo been disappointed —I therefore take the liberty of troubling you with this letter. The article in the ' Standard' alluded to commences as follows :— " Some short time ago a subject was mooted in Christchurch, and advocated with a great amount of zeal—we allude to the Working Man's Home, which was declared by a large and enthusiastic public meeting to be an essential requirement of this city. A committee was appointed, a secretary nominated, and, in short, all the preliminaries usually obserrod at the inauguration of a great and important public institution were apparently compiled with. Wo watched the movement with much interest, and entertained earnest hopes of Its success. Hut the plan seems to be lapsing into oblivion —there are scarcely any outward and visible signs of its existence. As far as we can learn, no steps seem to havo been taken to carry it into real practical elTect." This statement, if unnoticed, may have an injurious effect on our society. I will briefly state what has been done : —You, sir, arc aware that a committee was appointed at the public meeting "to open a share list, and to take such steps as they might deem necessary to further the above object, and to call a mooting of the shareholders as soon as ono half of tho eiitiro number of shares shall havo been subscribed for."

The committco hold a meeting at which they unanimously agreed, that it was desirable to canvas for shares—they therefore decided on issuing a printed circular (a copy of which I enclose) to the runholders and gentlemen of influence in the province urging them to support the undertaking. Tliis is now being dono, and wo are daily receiving promises of support.

About 1000 shares arc already taken up, and I have little doubt that the requisite number of 2500 will be subscribed for in a very short time. We have received promises of support from ninny gentlemen who have not yet favoured mo with their names on tho share list, and I would beg respectfully to suggest to them tho desirability of doing so at once. We hope that the circulars now being issued will have the effect of speedily attaining tho desired result.

There is, however, ono point on which it appears to mc an error has been made; I alludo to the designation of tho society "Workiug Man's Home." It has been suggested to mo by several persons of influenco that it would have been "more taking" and less objectionable to have styled our society " Tho Mechanics Club." In this I cordially agree; and at the next meeting I intend to bring tho matter before tho committee. I have heard it remarked that tho word "Home" conveys an idea of a charitable institution. You are well aware, Sir, that the society is a stock company, and that there is nothing eleemosynary connected with it. It will be conducted by the shareholders, through a committee chosen annually by them, and if tho mechanics and working men support it as we expect they will, there is, I apprehond, very little doubt of its perfect success.

You, Sir, may doubtless have often observed that tho labouring class have a disinclination to launch a scheme until it has been fairly established, and I cannot but feel that in expecting any body of bonafide wort ing men to start our Society we are entertaining a Utopian idea. They will warmly support it when once established, and when they see the actual result ; but as a class they lack faith, and are opposed to speculation; therefore, I think it bchovos all those gentlemen of influence who are favourable to our ■views, and who feel an interest in tho mental and moral elovatation of their brethren to assist us at once by taking sliares, so as to enable the committee to call a meeting of the shareholders at the earliest possible moment. And I bog most respectfully to request your nflucnco on our behalf. I am, Sir, your obedient servant, J. B. Ellmajt, Secretary.