THE SOUTHERN BOYS’ CLUB.

Evening Star, Volume 8505, Issue 8505, 2 May 1891, Page 2

THE SOUTHERN BOYS’ CLUB.

The club and gymnasium which, thanks to the energy and liberality of Mr A. Lee Smith and others, have been provided for the youth of the Flat were formally opened last night with a concert, which, musically and otherwise, was a pronounced success. The Mayor of South Duuedin presided, and

Mr Lee Smith delivered an address. He said the fact of the audience being there that night—when only a short time bad elapsed since the question of having a club on the Flat was first mooted—was a proof that the club was wanted. He could not allow an opportunity like the present to pass over without referring to the enthusiasm with which the Committee had been met by Mr Sievwright in regard to the club. From the first he threw himself <fnto the project very heartily, and assisted them in every possible way. He waited upon him with reference to obtaining the Arcade for a club, and Mr Sievwright made him a very philanthropic offer. The result was that the Committee had got the building they were in for a club, and if those present looked around they would recognise that they had been very fortunate in getting it. In establishing the club the first thing the Committee relied upon to make it a success was to encourage rational amusement in every way. They intended to give every opportunity to boys to amuse themselves in the club ; but it was also intended to educate them and endeavor to get them to take a higher and brighter view of life than they had hitherto done. There were a very large number of lads who were obliged to leave school before they were educated sufficiently to enable them to properly fight the battle of life, and it was to encourage these to persevere in self-improvement that the serious side of the club—for it would have a serious side—had been provided. It was to be hoped that the classes that would be soon established would be the means of making them better equipped mentally and physically to fulfil their duties in after life. His own opinion was that the State ought to liberally subsidise efforts of the kind they were now engaged in.—(Applause.) As to the club, there were some 150 members at present, and if ont of that number there were ten, or even five, who would look upon life in a better or more hopeful manner than they had done in the past, he was perfectly satisfied that those people who were connected with the move* ment which had been set on foot for the benefit of the boys in that district would meet with the approval of the whole community. —(Applause.)

The first and second parts of the programme were opened with piano duets by Miss Lily Cameron and Mr Towsey, and it goeS' almost without saying that their playing of the quaint Polish compositions was much appreciated. Miss Cooper, besides contributing ‘ Should he upbraid ’ with much acceptance, took part with Mr A. Hunter in a duet, and that gentleman was heard to advantage in ' The Bedouin love song,’ Mrs Israel, besides taking part with her sister in two delightful duets by Mendelssohn, sang, in the absence of Miss B, Joel, 'Call me back,’treating that song very effectively, and Mr Towsey filled up the gap caused by Mr Joel’s absence. Messrs Beunert and Blenkinsopp were both in good voice and gained encores, the former substituting ‘Old Madrid’ and the latter ‘ Mary of Argyle, ’ The proceedings were brought to aclose by Mr Bamshaw, M.H.R., moving a vote of thanks (carried by acclamation) to the performers, and congratulating the district on the inauguration of a movement which would supply a much-felt wont, and was deserving of the encouragement of all well-wishers of the district. The ball floor will have to-be boarded if it is intended to frequently use that part of the building for entertainments.