PROPOSED WORKING MEN'S CLUB AT OHINGAITI.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1107, 19 May 1893, Page 35

PROPOSED WORKING MEN'S CLUB AT OHINGAITI.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—Some week or two ago a petition was taken round for signature, requesting the Hon the Colonial Secretary to grant a> charter for a working man's club, at this place. So popular was the suggestion that over one hundred signatures were appended to said petition in a very short time. Now,, sir, some interested parties are using their heat endeavours to prevent ns from en- • joying the privileges that a club grants. Anonymous letters have been written to various papers deorying the opening of a olub in this district. I wUI now, so far as my ability will allow, point out the advantages of a club to ub working men. At the present time the> majority of the residents of this district are men working under the cooperative system, bushfallers, roadmen and small contractors. All of these men are paid monthly, and the majority of them are fond of their glass. Now, under existing circumstances the drinking men usually knock down their cheques, or the greater portion of them, at hotel bars. Now, sir, we bave had enough of this ; we are not suoh fools as people imagine, and in our camp discuss this matter very freely. Why should we fatten up a class of people who, after securing our money, turn us out without in some in* stances a shilling for a meal? Now, sir, had we a club here we could have our glass or two, a comfortable room to sit in, papers and magazines to read, dominoes, chess, cards ' and draughts to play with—in fact, all tha amusements that an ordinary mortal re* quires The present Government are essentially friends to the working men, and I can assure them that they would be furthering our interests by acceding to our prayer and granting a charter for a working men's club in Ohlngaiti. Apologising for the length of this letter, —I am, &c. Jon* O'Donovan, Ohlngaiti, I3th May.