BOYS' INSTITUTE A SUCCESSFUL YEAR

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 77, 1 April 1914, Page 11

BOYS' INSTITUTE A SUCCESSFUL YEAR

ANNUAL MEETING ADDRESS BY SIR ROBERT STOUT, The annual meeting of the Wellington Boys' Institute was held last night, his Honour the Chief Justice (Sir Robert Stout) presiding. In his opening address Sir Robert Stout gave an interesting account of the George Junior Republics, which were first established •in New York State by Mr. George, of New York, and have since been established in several other States. Sir Robert Stout sketched, in an interesting manner, the development of the scheme, from the small beginnings of summer camps for glum boys td the Republics whioh are now in active operation. The first* Republic was established at Freeville, in New York State, where boys' and girls from the ages of 14 to 21 were trained. They got the best possible education, they had a high school which was second to no high school in New Zealand or elsewhere, they could proceed thence to the University, but the motto of the Republics was " Nothing Without Labour." They paid for their board and lodging and education by labour, and if they did not choose to work they got nothing. There were hostels, with matrons in charge, and hospitals for the sick. They were trained in all sorts of trades, any they chose to adopt, and the institutions were run by tbe boys and girls themselves. They bad their own police, their own judges and juries, and anyone offending against the laws of the community was judgpd by his fellows and had to undergo the prescribed punishment. Such "Republics" were now in existence in several parts of the United States, a<nd had produced many men who now occupied responsible positions. The system was training them not only in habits of self reliance, but to the civic life. That was what he thought we needed here, although he admitted that in a city like Wellington they had not the advantages that were available in the States. He had always thought that we should have "made the experiment in. connection with some of our reformatory schools. He had urged that a long time ago, and Mr. George had promised that if New Zealand sent over a man to be thoroughly instructed in the system he would do all he could to help him. In default of such a system here he suggested that they should t encourage the boys to take a share in the management of the _ institute, feel that they had a responsibility in connection with its welfare, and that the matter should not only rest with the committee elected at the annual meetings. He did not know why they should not take an interest in the af' fairs of the institute; at any rite, the experiment could be tried for a' year or two, so that they could train themselves to take part in the civic life of the community. (Applause.) ANNUAL REPORT. In moving the adoption of the annual report and balance-sheet, Mr. D. M'Laren said the report showed that the institute was widening the scope of its work, and it was as well that that should be so. He was of opinion tba.t education and work should go together and in fcbat direction valuable work could be done by an institution of this description. The generosity of the late Mrs. Rhodes, he added, had done d great deal for the institute., and it was a fine tiring tha.t there were good men who helped the boys and girls who required a helping hand. In time to come the institute would have new and more commodious quarters,, and no doubt when that happened new work would be undertaken The institute was endeavouring bo help the boys to make themselves into good citizens, and he congratulated aJI concerned on the good work that had been done, making special reference to Mr. Ti'oup and Mr Bennett. (Applause.) The motion was seconded by Mr. L. ,T. Watkins and carried. FUTURE PROSPECTS. Mr. G. A. Troup was z'e-eleeted president, and in returning thanks said the new building would probably cost about, £80uU— an indication in itself tha-t the institute was entering on a new sphere of existence. He hoped he would live long enough to see the institute owning a farm to which they could send some of their boys to learn fanning. He went on to point out that, owing to generous bequests, _ they might feel inclined to take their ease. The times ahead would be more strenuous than ever they had been, because the price of responsibility was more responsibility. They must also see that they did not become extravagant, but, on tbe other hand, watch the axpenditure more carefully than in the past and never have a penny of debt on any of their buildings. THE LATE MRS. RHODES. It must be, ho said, to evpryone connected with the institute a. matter of very great thankfulness that Mrs. Rhodes had stood by the institute in the manner she did, and they might take it as a compliment from her that she did so, because she was a woman of education, with as keen a, mind as any one in the city, of very great business capacity, and hpr singling out of the institute .for her benefactions was the highest honour she could have 'given them, and he accepted it as such. He hoped that during the coming year they would see their way to connect her with the institute, so that as long as it remained she would never be forgotten. (Applause.) ELECTION OF OFFICERS. Other officers wpre elected as under : — Vice-presidents, Dr. J. S. Macla.urin, Messrs. M. D. Menelaus, and J. Hislop : hon. treasurer, Mr. J. G. Smith (reelected) ; hon. secretary, Mr. B. Mabin (re-elected) ; hon. auditor, Mr. R. WU berfoss (re-elected) : hon. physician, Dr. Hogg (re-elected) ; hon. solicitors, Messrs. Gray and Jackson ; committee, Messrs. L. T. Watkins, J. M". Morice, C. S. Moore, R. Pearson, and D. B. Menzies (iB-elected). GENERAL. Plans of the new building were produced and inspected with great interest. Mr. W. J. Bennett (director) gave ft brief address on the physical work of the institute^ and declared that the results were visible to him and his instructors every day and would be visible to the community as time went on, even though they might not be recognised. Parents frequently came and expressed appreciation of the work that was done on behalf of their children. It was pleasing to notice the great interest that was being taken in the erection of the new building and in the work of the institute generally. The Chairman read apologies for compulsory absence from the Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke), Dr. MacLaurin, and Messrs .Pearson and G. G. Smith. The meeting concluded with votes of thanks to all those who had assisted on the committees and at the bazaars, and to the chairman.