A PROTEST.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 9993, 21 January 1895, Page 4

A PROTEST.

Sir,— Would yoa believe id, sir, I am such a sceptic that I read " Charon's " profession of "sweet humility" Id his "defence" of the Working Men's Club in this morning's Herald -with some degree of atnnsement. I suppose it is the same " sweet humility " that has caused " Charon " and his fellow clubbites to keep the annual balance-sheet of that institution so largely from the public gaze. The "sweet humility" that "does good by stealth and blnsbes to find it fame." However, if for no other Teason than that this sweet hamility may have its due reward, and that the modestly retiring clab and its deeds may be placed before an admiring public, I shall quote just an item or two, and these few items will be so amply sufficient that it will be said, " Enough is as good as a feast." I find, then, that tho bar receipts for tbe past twelve months are £3760 '8a 2d, the consumption of plea during tbe same period £01 17a. Verily, those pies needed a lot of liquidation. The cook must have had " a heavy hand with the salt' and put in the pepper with a shovel. It is very evident that that "day" of "Charon's" and his friends which he tells us he loves to moieten in tho clnb on Sundays, must be in a very parched state; but, as notwithstanding this tremendous downponr, the olay etill remains hopelessly arid, I would suggest the "artesian well" as more efficacious and less expensive, bat in mercy to " Charon " and the thirsty members we had better keep it free from "special taxation." I will not refer now to the "cheap billiards" and card rooms in which gntnblio? is prohibited. Does " Charon " think for a moment that rule Is obeyed? Does "Charen" really suppose the Working Men's Club is as eecteb as a Mubodlc lodge ? Let me 'assure him a great deal is known of what goes on there by men who, on grounds of I principle, never step within its wallss Perhaps that useful paper, the Prohlbilioni'l, may have a word or two to say about the club's recent balance-sheet. Nearly four thousand pounds sterling consumed in strong drink in the clnb during the last twelve months ; the pies in the same period not sixty-two pounds sterliog. In the words of Shakespeare, "O, monstrous! but one halfpenny worth nf bread to this intolerable deal of sack !"— I am, &c, Anti-Guzzle. Kapler, January 17, 1895.

Sir,— l atn not a member of the Napier Working Men's Club, bat if I find that an effort is to be made to foster the establishment of technical and other classes for the benefit) of this town, 1 shall be glad to become a member if eligible, and render al! the assistance in my power to make the classes successful. "Nimbus" appears to think that my proposal is a strange one. Why! Education, and in a large measure religion are supported by means of taxes on wines, spirits, and tobacco. The profits made at the vY'oiking Men's Clab under our present laws are the profits diverted from the pockets of hotel-keepers, I could wish there were no profits at all, but so long as the State <f irou#b the ballot-box decides on the sale of lnto"" < * a M p £ drink it eeema to me that we might do r iael » W°f ae ' ha n ***&?* to "workWmen" t o \" oe °4 »■ P/ohts o n what they them6elveß consul*' *. D ,' ( *J Br ' ing edncatlon for the benefit 01 c " children. In England and Scgtland, as yon, Mr Editor, so well pointed out a few days ago, the proceeds from a special tax on boer are distributed among Oonnty Connclls and other local bodies for the express purpose of fostering technical schools, and immense good is being done throughout the kingdom by this means. I do not know "Charon," but he cvi- J dentty understands something of the needs I of our present social syßtem, and I trust he will be able to kfluenee Mb fellow clubmen on a matte 1 - that so nearly con- j cerna themselves, their children, and this town and district.— l nm, &c , H. Hill. January 18th, 1895.