AUCKLAND CLUB.

New Zealand Herald, Volume V, Issue 1399, 12 May 1868, Page 2

AUCKLAND CLUB.

The com.ui'ii Oi owy ohid," the mosl? influen tial of the expedients suggested by modem society for pre* oting rry purpose, political, : ,:cj, 1-:: ra*.*7 ' •/ as a national;: n orb. Wherever people are gathered together there will the clubbist be in. their midst. The best and most sumptuous hotel does not supply those most coveted of a 1! luxuries—political and sociai gossip, equality and community of thought, prejudice or purpose, in which the club abounds. The only kind of happiness not to be found there is the " postnuptial," but the " post prandial" is of the pleasantest kind The refinement elegance found at " the club" have been found fault with as creating counter attractions to those of the family circle; but it is equally true to say that the sumptuous ease of the. club has had its effect in recommending its OTn elegances and comforts to the adoption of the lady of the house.

The club, whatever else may be said of it, originated in a real and well-understood want, which it alone could supply. Those engaged in politics, or science, or art, or business, must, during the hours they are compelled to be absent from their families, have some time that their engagements will not fill up—either by reasou of the accidents incident to all purposes, or the carelessness of others. Before the club became an institution the tavern was the only rendezvous, and the conditions on wliich a man goes into his own house, and that of a place of publ'c entertainment are different. Many inconveniences were suggested by this mode of business. Garraway's and the Jerusalem CofF e house are historic places of this class. The relations of business, however, as they became more complicated, shaped social interests into new combinations and groups, each of which repelled the others by virtue of the force there is in interests opposed or not compatible. Hence the rise of clubs, to which admission can only be obtained by previous introduction and recognition.

" The Club," as it was known in Auckland for some years, was not in any sense a local institution. Ps aval and military officers were its most conspicuous members, and eligible as they are, and high as is unquestionably the tone which they give to society wherever they are found in large numbers, still their connexion with .vuckland society was but temporary. When they left it was natural that the principal bond of adhesion should have been either relaxed or sundered. As they were for a time the centre around which the social units gathered, their departure soon scattered the influences which their presence had attracted ; but the want still remained behind. This want is to be supplied under purely local auspices in the course ot a few days. Certaiu well-known gentlemen having united for the purpose of establishing a club soon found the means of carrying their object into effect. It must be said that the lime was most favourable, and a suitable place, of sufficient size, aDd in every respect convenient, was open to their acceptance. In the line of commodious buildings , on the north side of Shortland-street, there is a ]

building formerly known as Hoffman's AssemW, rooms. Above these there are seven room, «fi spacious, well lighted and ventilated <r% building is entered through a handsome dor* way and passage eight feet wide, openine into an inner passage or vestibule 14 feet wide which leads to a handsome apartment 42 feet inlpnofi, by 28 feet in width. This is to be the dinLt room of the new club. Prom the south-east corner-a handsome staircase leads up to a similar room of the same dimensions, and this is to bp used'as a billiard room. There Jhave been two magnificent billiard tables purchased by the members of the Club. One of these is by Steven's and Hopkins, the nephews and successors of Thurston, and the other by Burroughs & Co both the leading London makers. From this room the are reached by well lighted passages. In the dining-room are evidences of the care and attention which the Committee hare bestowed upon the members. There are two very elegant candelabra to be lighted with Tas and the furniture of the rooms will, we believe' be entirely of local manufacture—kauri and cedar, and supplied by Messrs. Winks "id Hall All the appointments of a first-class establisLment have been provided. : v ot only the furniture but the utensils for all purposes are of the most elegant pattern and design. From the drawing-room immediate access is had to the cuisine which, is fitted up with all appliances, The catering for the Club is to be under the management of Mr. Canning, of Shortlandstreet, for whose proficiency many extensive undertakings afford a sufficient guarantee. Mr. Canning has taken the shop next door to the Club, which will be opened as a cafe, where refreshments will be supplied at a moderate charge and of the best description. 7he walls and ceilings of the interior have been delicately colored and profusely ornamented. The fittings for lighting have been supplied and fixed by Mr. William Marks,' of Chapel-street, and there cannot be. ,a doubt that the present is a most favourable moment for the organisation and establishment of a local Club. Everything w ears the promise of good times to come, and the demand for accommodation of the best kind is . likely to increase. The English Clubs have been standards of reference for. furnishing hotels and private houses, and in this way such Institutions : have exercised a greater influence upon oui social habits and manners. We live in times 1 when a very large portion of the wisdom of the < world is gained from the experience of folly. The most exquisite clubbist teaches something . if he improves the cut of our cloth, and creates I in us an abhorrence of dirty gloves, alwaysjprovided we are not infected with the folly of I copying his niaiseries. ' ;..