SAVE THE BOY.

Evening Post, Volume LXXIX, Issue 82, 8 April 1910, Page 4

SAVE THE BOY.

SIR ROBERT STOUT'S VIEWS. ANNUAL MEETING OF BOYS' INSTITUTE. The annual meeting 1 of the subsciibem of the Boys' Institute w;is held in tho institute hall last evening. The Chief Justice, Sir Robert Stout, presided. In referring to the report, already published in The Post, Mr. Coloneus, general secretary, said the spiritual side of the work was somewhat discouraging when the figures of the attendance at the meetings was considered. Nevertheless, the boys in many cases were handicapped by home influences. Many things bad to be taken into account, however. He referred to the lasting power of the lato Mr. Harry Drummond's influence, results of which were most apparent. He appealed for more workere. Col. Campbell, in moving tho adoption of the report and balance-t-heet, said he had no idea until he read them of the extensive character of the work done by the institute among boys. It was a very good feature, oi the institution t<# provide so many facilities for the employment of a boy's leisure time and for his good. It was most pleasing to see that the Education Hoard recognised the useful woik which the in.-titu-tion was doing. Tim social work appeared to be mo*t successful, and no had ua doubt but that the- religious welfare of the lads was properly looked after. Mr. Callis stated that it was most pleasing to see the military spirit among' boys. The scout movement hud had an excellent effect upon boys. The report and balance-sheet weio adopted. ALL BOYS GOOD. Sir Robert Stout, referrini; to the "bad boy" problem, said he perbonally did not believe that there were hopelessly bad boys. Ho held that boys were always good — none were bad. He gave an instance of his early teaching day;, of a boy who was given up ax bad, ai incorrigible, and with whom the head- j master wo* unable to deal. The lad's I father cants to him (Sir Robert Stout), talked the matter over, and instead oi the lad going to what was known us an industiial school, he was taken in baud. "I found the boy was all right." said the Chief Justice. "Tliero was nothing the matter with him. Well. his father was killed, and he became the provider for his family. lf» was ultimately kilkd himself, but with what he had earned himself, and what his father— only a labouring man — hud left, and what the Ind left, there was sufficient to support liin mother and sister when he was taken." The boys of New Zealand would have to be looked to, and it was fur those who had their interests ut heart to see that a bettor race could bo produced from the boys than that from which their fathers and grandfathers tunic. They ought to bo able to do so, seeing the specially favourable circumstances in which they lived in New Zealand. When ho saw the diUicultien that the boys of England and Scotland were under — want of food, want of fresh air, want of clothing, and their ineunitary kxfaings, then ho thought how cliffciently the boys of New Zealand were situated. Ho urged that boys should be treated with confidence, mid it should b* pointed out to them what their position was if a lino race of men was wanted in New Zealand. Ho was a teacher for many yeais, but he had never had any trouble with boys. If one- took an interest in them, it would be found that they would respond, and no trouble would be given. Sir Robert then referred to a boys' institute btarted in 1858 in his native place. He was a boy of 14 then, but was on the committee, and none of the other members was more than 26 or 27 years. Classes of an educational kind were held, nnd good work was dune. Eventually, Mr. Anderson, of the P. and (J., who was a native of the town, started tho Anderson Institute, at » cost of */40,000 or £50,000, an inirtituto which far exceeded anything that the original membeis of the old institution imagined. Sir Robert suggested the establishment- of institutes in other parts of the city to carry on the work begun co well in Aithur utreet. THANKS. Mr. G. A. Troupe (president oi" the Institute) said not only had all tiuancial obligation* been met but there had been real advancement. In referring to adjoining premise* recently acquired, he #aid the>« would piov« ureful in advuiiciti£ the work, and encouraging a proper esprit *le corps among the boys. MesM I*.1 *. Gray nnd Jackson, who l.r.d fought tho Institute's ca*e in tbe court*-, had spent much time on it, but they had fiiven their service* ifiatuitoiifly. (AppUuee.) ' Mr, Troupe alto proposed a vote oi thanks to Mrs. S. A. Rhode*, who had given £25 for the furnishing of the new building, and who had promised an annual prize, to the fcout showing most efficiency, which wao cariied; and similar compliments to the City Council, th<» Superintendent of Reserve* (Mr. Glen), Hnd tho Indie* who helped at ihx recent garden fete. OFFICERS The following officer* were elected t — Hon. Piesident, Rev. J. Gibb, D.D. ; president, Mr. (!. A. Ttoupe ; hon. vi'eprenidentM, Mrs. S. A. Rhode?, Justice I'oopei, Mesins. Finher, Herdnißn, M'Laren. and Wright, M.P.'s; vicr-pre-sidents, .Messr*. Menelaw, C. S. Moore, and Dr. Madnurin ; hon. treasurer, Mr. J. Hutcheson ; hon. necretaiy, Mr. 1). Patterson ; hon. auditor, Mr. R. Wilberfow | hon. phvxkian, Dr. Hogg ; general «ecretury, Mr. C. P.. Coloneui 1 ; committee of management, MetwrF. C. T. An- '''"■'•■ -i S. Butler, Justice Cooper, \V. K. Dallas, J. HI slop, Dr. M'Laurm, .M. v. ...v. ...ti.i.. l». .viciixit'f, f. S. Moore, .). Al. Monce. D. PatteirtJn. R. Pearson, ! X. Johnson, (.;. A. Ttoupe, R. V. Wiilit-, and J. Hutchefou ; honorary inrtructoiy, Mr. L. Andrew (Bible Clam), Mr. K. Crawford (Night School), Mr. O. A. Darby (Bible Class). Mr. C. K. Dick (Phut Aid, Social, and Sport.-), Mi. A. G. Hume (Gymnasium), Master W. Jennings (Bible Class). Mastei H. Martin (Biblo Claw). Mr. G. W. Morice (Relitfioiis Work), .\Jr. (1. H. Xeal (Swimming). Miss Pierard (Singing), Mr. R. S. Ro.*s (Cudets), Air. T. Shi*ldt* (Swimming), Mr. A. A. Soinmeiville (Life Saving), Mr. J. Thomson (Bible Clacx), Air. W. S. Walls (Cadets), Ah J Voting (Night l School).

At Monday's meeting Of (he Athbuitou Borough Council a letter wai tend front the Hon. .). A. Millar, Minuter of Railways, in regard to tho pt4>poa«d con struct inn of nn overliouil bridge or a sub nay at the Afhburtou Railway Station, and diMtuiifactioii mi cxpritaed by n>\ oral councillor', «tuten tho Lutplton Time-, in regard to what they nnid \\m th<> indecision of tho Department in n 1 commending definitely cither v bridge or (i s'jliwnv. It wit i inmiiil: "Thni the Minister In- uiiticn to and reminded (lisa I hi- will ti^ii'cnlili* to llic (Jowmmcnt <>x|ii>ntling ill 550 foi it -übwuy, nnd that. v-< ii rnnipcd brnljc would only co«i £1300, the council if>qit<-«t luni to erect a lirrd^c without nxp"ti«e in id" borough . (.iilinc that, that ih<> manr-i Lo infericd Ho the rftt»t>ftyMt." 'fiic Major •>t.«icd ho would moot B rr Joseph \\u,<J nt H»nd» and In* the correspondence before him.