BOYS' INSTITUTE

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3040, 29 March 1917, Page 9

BOYS' INSTITUTE

PREPARING FOR THE FUTURE ANNUAL REPORT ' •Many important advances hav» been made in the work of the .Wellington Boys' Institute within the last year. Tho new building had been competed and occupied, and a programme of work, greatly exceeding anything formerly attempted, had been ■ carfied out under many disadvantages. $he report of the executive'states that, the keen interest taken by the public in the affairs of tho institute has been noted. "If in tlio past it was needful to givo special attention to the training of young boys it is especially so :iow when so many of the best of tho city's young manhood have fallen, and their vacant chairs will require to be filled by juniors. Greater responsibility and greater burdens of irorlc will in tho immediate future rest upon the shoulders of each, to oarry which a better training to ensure a higher state of efficiency will he required. The boy must be stimulated to do more work, and to do better work, and above nil the importance of character must be recognised. Great opportunities will soon present themselves to the boys of to-day, for a new era, which might be fittingly called 'The Boys' Era,' is opening up, in winch the Boys' Institute can play an important part in helping to fit him physically, mentally, and in tho moulding of his character, to meet the dawning situation." The new building nas not only permitted of a much larger programme of work and provided better facilities both for the instructors and boys, hut it has helped to make an - esprit do corps which has been most helpful? Altogether 500 boys are members, nnd the membership is still increasing. "The institute again closes its year of work without' any mortgage, debt, or outstanding liability. The revenno for the year has just met the expenditure with' nothing to spare. With the additional expense of the larger building a, much larger revenue had to be provided. Thanks to the services cf Miss M'Wjiae, the official collector of the institute, and to the generous response of the public, this wan,obtained. Thanks are also due .to tho trustees of the T.-G. M'Carthy Esteta for a doriatjon of £100. : Even with those additional sourees,of income the increased work of the institute would not have been . possible but for the handsomo legacy from! the estate of; the latolElrs'.* S. A. Rhodes. A large prpporlisn of this legacy has now been received wid invested in first mortgago oh city pro-' perty. A coipmencement is being; made' with the boyb , boarding establishment, but this -.depliTtmorit of work will not bo fully entered upon until, the whole amount of tile legacy has been ceivetl."

Very great appreciation is expressed in the report ol ■ tho work of the director, Mr. S. Ro\sb; who has not spared himself iu the' interests of the boys. He has also beep greatly helped by the lino band of old institute boys, who assemble every night at the rooms and take a classy or in some way lend a hand. • ■•■.;.

The tepid baths, have not been supported in such large numbers as were expected, and in ;the ■ working of • the baths the expenses -havo exceeded the revenue by £216. , 111 the meantime bath hours will be curtailed. The Ladies' Auxiliary has rendered splendid service during the year. The furnishing of the new building which was left in their hands was successfully carried out. They have given, valuables aid at social gatherings, have ■ made various garments, and tho oversight of the boarding establishinent is in their hands. The report of the director summarises tho work of the institute in tho eight months of the year for which the new building has been available. On entering the new building the. membership was 124. At the end of December this number -had increased to 500. During these eight months 14,000 boys had passed under tho control of the institute offioials, and in this number those taking part in the'.outside games are. not-included. Since the opening of the baths hundreds of tho boys havo learnt to swim, and altogether 9000 boys have availed themselves of the privilege of. using them 'free. During the last ten days of tho year distance swimming -for-.certificates was started, and in the short period sixty members wore awarded certificates by tho N.Z.A.S.A., tho distances covoreu ranging from 100 .yards to two miles 700 yards. As,showing the incentive to. long-distance swimming which tho institute and bath havo given, it might bo worth mentioning- that while 8(3. of the institute boys succeeded in swimming over one mile 'in-this short period, only 34 others from all the sohoole \n Wellington accomplished this during the whole' of last year. One hundred and fifty Royal LifeSaving Society's certificates were gained m the short period of four months by instituto of which 74 were elementary: 70 proficiency, and C teachers' certificates; also one bronzemedallion.. This record has never been equalled in Now Zealand, and it'is believed that' no■school or institution in Australasia has beaten it. Religious activities are outlined, and the attractions of the reading-room and library, iihe gamos .loom, etc:, are referred to. Among the interests enumerated aro the orchestra, the drum and fife band, scouts cadets; gymnastics, and wrestling,, football, cricket, etc. Situations havo been secured for a humbor of lads by the employment bureau, and employers are requested to communicate with the director of the institute when in need of a boy. Tho nanies of 160 old boys who havo answered to tho great call havo been traced, but it is only a small proportion of all who have really been serving with the colours: The annual meeting of the institute will be hold in tho institute buildings this evening.. , '