SYDENHAM AND ADDINGTON WORKING MEN’S CLUB.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CVIII, Issue 13001, 17 December 1902, Page 5

SYDENHAM AND ADDINGTON WORKING MEN’S CLUB.

Just upon the completion of • its nineteenth year of existence, the Sydenham and' Addington Working Men’s Club has built for itself a handsome club-house in Sandyford Street, Sydenham. The club began in Hazeldean Road with about sixty-five members, but soon larger premises bad to be secured in Colombo -Street. A few years’ sojourn there was followed by a removal to Carlyle Street, whence the club made yet another departure, taking up its habitat on the site now occupied by it. The membership has gone on growing, until now it stands at about 400, and for -so large a number new housing has had to he pro-' vided. ' The new premises, which are added to tho old, have,been built in brick and stone, by Mr M’Cjeave, from a design by Messrs Clarkson and Ballantyne, the cost being about £2700. The work has been done very thoroughly, and tire building is now quite up-to-date. The building contains a fine hall, 24ffc x 10ft, billiard-room, with two full-sized tables, 34ft 6in x 26ft 6in ; commercial room, 18ft x 16ft; reading room, 26ft x 17ft; chess and draughts room, 26ft x 17ft; and committee room, 18ft x 16ft. The rooms are .lofty and well ventilated, and the lighting is a particularly good feature. There are 49 incandescent; gas lights, with artistic globes, all controlled by a by-pass system from the bar. The lighting was entrusted to the Christchuroh Gas Company, whose, head fitter, Mr IV. Olliver, carried out the work. The furnishing was done by A. J. White and Co.

On Monday night the new rooms were ' opened for the first time, the president (Mr J. Broome) entertaining the committee and a number of visitors, among whom were the Hon C. Louisson, M.L.C., and Mr R. 0. Bishop, one of the oldest members of the Christchurch Working Men’s Club. Mr Louisson made a brief speech, wishing the club success, and exhorting its officers to maintain the high standard of conduct they had always set before them. The President’s health was happily proposed by Mr Bishop.