FOR-THE BOYS

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 70, 19 September 1912, Page 3

FOR -THE BOYS

HIS EXCELLENCY'S INTEREST { VISIT TO THE INSTITUTE. Boys of all sizes and descriptionssome barefooted, some in uniform-*-were much in evidence at the Boy's Institute last evening when His Excellency Lord Islington paid a visit to the institution. The Institute Cadets, with the Tramway Band in attendance, provided a guard of honour. • The president (Mr. Geo. A. Troup) welcomed His t Excellency, and expressed a deep appreciation of the honour done to tho Institute. The boys and the committee felt their work made much easier by the interest displayed by His Excellency. Since Lord Islington's last visit the work of the Institute had been earned forward vigorously despite the disability they had been under by the loss of their director. At present they were working up the Sunday evening meeting to be the best boy's gathering in Wellington; the cadets were very strong, thanks to, Captain Simeon and his officers, and their educational classes were still being carried on by University students. Other branches of the Institute which Were making great progress were the orchestra, the swimming, life-saving, and boxing classes, and •* the boys' museum. Their work was as efficient to-day as ever it had been in the past; perhaps more efficient. They regretted that they had not yet been able to start their new building, but thoy hoped to lay the foundation stone before Bis Excellency's departure. ADDRESS BY LORD ISLINGTON.' His Excellency, who was received with enthusiasm, expressed* his thanks to the boys for their welcome and appreciation. Since he came here, some two years ago, ho had watched the work oi" the Tnstituto with groat interest. It had always been a pleasure to him to know that an institution of this character had been established and founded so well to enable boys to assume those qualities of character and physique which would assist them in working out their careers in the days to come. He offered a word of commendation to those who had undertaken the work of administration. He knew of hardly any better work which could be done for the welfare of the city and the Dominion. He was glad to see that the Institute was broadening its work j that it had an orchestra and a museum. Ho had already had an opportunity of seeing the work the Boys' Institute" could do in Swedish drill. He had been very mUch struck with the exhibition at the Town Hall the other evening. There was nothing better done at the Rifle Association's entertainment than the exhibition which was a great credit to the officers who had undertaken the training of the boys. He was pleased to hear that the foundation stone of the new building was likely to be laid before his departure, and he would be most pleased to think that his final connection with the Institute was in the establishment of a building which would enable the work to be carried on with greater facilities than iii the past. His Excellency said Jie should regret very much. Jeaviog the

Dominion. Mr. Troup had said that he had done something for the Institute, but he would say that there were as good fish in the sea as ever came out of it, and he was sure that his successor would take as great an interest in this and other work as he had clone. His Excellency aftci wards listened to selections by tho Institute orchestra, and witnessed exhibitions of boxing, Swedish drill, and baseball by the boys.