Increasing Support For Christchurch Youth Club

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28013, 6 July 1956, Page 9

Increasing Support For Christchurch Youth Club

Pastor T. W. Whiting, who sponsored the Christchurch Young Citizens’ Club, will soon be looking for a larger hall About 50 young persons attend the clubrooms in Gloucester street on two evenings a week, and with the introduction shortly of formal club membership. this number is likely to grow “The Government would be prepared to grant £lOO to £2OO. which we could use for equipment, and J will soon be scouting round for a larger hall.” said Pastor Whiting yesterday, on his return from the North Island. In Wellington. Pastor Whiting interviewed the Minister of Internal Affairs (Mr S. W. Smith), and the ActingMinister of Police (Mr D. J. Eyre), and learnt more of the Wellington club sponsored bv the Wellington City Mission. In Auckland, he spoke to those interested in the formation of a club there. “The Wellington club has been given a £5OOO building by the Government, but it will have to be moved into the city from Trentham. The club there does not yet seem to be functioning, as ours is.” he said. “It would appear

that Christchurch is giving the lead in that respect.” Onlv motor-cycle enthusiasts were catered for bv the Wellington club, said Pastor Whiting, but Christchurch’s club provided games and social activities. Membership fees were to be introduced soon, and cards would be issued. Visitors would pay at the door. But more than games was needed. Pastor Whiting told the Ministers. Some youths had to be rehabilitated socially, and loaders were needed who could lift them out of their present environment. A sewing machine which had been given bv a Christchurch firm would be used by one of the girls, who was a dressmaker, to teach others. That was a step in the right direction. Pastor Whiting said. Since the establishment of the club, there had been a noticeable improvement in the behaviour of young people on the streets, said the Superintendent of Police (Mr D. Sugrue), yesterday. “In the last month or so. there has been less trouble on the streets, and the constables report that these young chaps are better behaved now.’’ Mr Sugrue said "We arc clad to see it.”