BOYS' INSTITUTE

Evening Post, Issue 66, 15 September 1936, Page 17

BOYS' INSTITUTE

WORTHY URBANISATION

PUBLIC APPEAL FOR FUNDS

The Boys Institute is finding that the trend of family life is towaids the suburbs, and the number of buildings for manufacturing and housing of commercial undertaking!, is md easing rapidly in the cente o£ Wellington This, of couise, means that fewer boys are to be found in the district adjacent | to the Basin Reseive, the gieat numbeib being at Miiamar, Island Bay, Hutt,, and Petone. The position is being faced by the management committee of the institute, and efforts aie now being made to establish a branch jn the Muamar district, where theie is every indication of the organisation being very popular. Tho main objects of the institute aic to keep lads occupied m healthy ictrcation and wholesome pastimes—such as reading, Meccano, draughts, etc—in order to: develop both their minds and bodies, .The. institute, gymnasium is probably one of the largest of its kind jn the Dominion, and1 here a highlyefficient instructor teaches the bo>s all blanches of physical culture The annual boxing tournament is one of the highlights of the sporting activities of Wellington, and the Wellington Boxing Association officials take a very keen and practical interest in this fixture Table tennis is one of the most populai I pastimes indulged in by the boys, the tables being fully occupied from opening time until the closing hour each night. Organised sports, such as cuckct, Rugby, and Soccer, have made the In stitute one of the most famous clubs in New Zealand After passing tlnough the bo>s' teams membeis arc leceivcd into the Institute Old Boys' Clubs From these many of Wellington's best cricketers and football playeis have been found, and some of New Zea land's best, Dempster and Neil McArthur to name two The lesser known but probably most essential and worth-while part of the organisation is the boarding establishment. This is a home away from home for boys unable to afford the necessary amount to find private board. Many of the boys are boarded for as little as 7s 6d a week. This, of course, means a considerable tax on the funds of the institute, which has to provide a fully qualified staff, food, and fur nishmgs for over twenty boys. Just recently thirty rugs were purchased for the beds, and in the near future much new furnishing will be lequired With this object in view the institute will hold a street day on Thursday in an endeavour to find the necessary

money. All that is required of a boy to be come a member of the institute is that he make application to the director, ir respective of religiou. beliefs. He is enrolled, and thereafter enjoys the lull benefits of the organisation