BOYS' INSTITUTE.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1108, 26 May 1893, Page 20

BOYS' INSTITUTE.

INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITION. There was a large attendance of the friends of members and the general public, including not a few ladies, at the opening of the Industrial Exhibition in connection with the Wellington Boys'lnstitute on Wednesday afternoon. The boys, ii full uniform, and accompanied by the members of the Mount Cook Cadet Corps, were drawn up in opening order on eaoh side of the hall in which the exhibits are staged, and as the Chiof Justice (Sir James Prendorgast) entered the building they received him with a salute in true military style. In fact they presented a really excellent appearance, for which energetic Captain Davis deserves infinite credit. Lieutenants Armstrong, Steel and Ross were also present. Mr J. G. W. Altken.(ono of the vicepresidents and chairman of tho Exhibition Committee), in opening the proceedings, detailed the objeots of the Institute, and said he hoped that next year they would be able to ask the Chief Justioe to opeu a very tnuoh larger exhibition than the present. Sir Jamos Prendergast said it gave him veiy great pleasure to open tho exhibition, as he had been requested to do. He had a vivid recollection of the opening ceremony of the Institute, which took place only about a yeir ago, and on behalf of the public generally he wished to thank Mr Aitken and those associated with him for their efforts in making the institution, which was so well launched, such a success as it now was. From enquiry he had made he was satisfied that there were evidences of substantial progress; the boys themselves took a lively interest in it, and desired to attempt to justify the efforts made on their behalf. He urged the boys themselves to cultivate that self-respect which would be the mainstay of their character, and reminded them that if tbey thoroughly respected themselves no one would ever venture to insult them by asking them to do anything dishonourable. He urged employers, parents and relatives to facilitate the boys attend, ing the institution regularly, and, in regard to the exhibition, he said they would no doubt find that the boys had produced something which would have the effeyt of promoting the institution, and so redound to their own advantage. No doubt, he went on to say, the Institute would go on increasing in every respect, but they first of all wanted more room than they at present possessed. For lustanoe, they wanted a room where those who were so minded could pursue mechanical studies apart from tho other boys. He should be glad if he could promote that object, and the sooner it was started the better it would be. Then again many lads desired instruction in drawing, and in t*us connection he suggested that a Boyti' Institute class should be formed at the School of Design, where they would get the necessary quiet and the best of instruction. Whether that was a feasible design he did not know, but it was worth considering. In conclusion, he expressed a hope that some steps would soon be taken to promote chser sooial intercourse among people of all classes And both sexes in the community, and then declared the exhibition open. (Applause.) Mr Aitken informed Sir James that the exhibition had been oarried ont chiefly by Mr C. Callis, <to whom tbey were much indebted along with Captain Davis and Lieutenants Armstrong, Steel and Ross. He would now ask him to inspect the boys. Sir James Prendergast then inspected the lads, and expressed his approval of their appearance.

Though not by any means on a large scale, the exhibition is decidedly interesting, and reflects great credit on the promoters and exhibitors alike, especially when it is re. membered that the total time occupied in promoting and carrying it oat is only about three months. It seems almost invidious to mention a few only of the exhibits, but a special meed of praise must be awarded to a very cleverly constructed model of house iu cardboard, Bent by Wm. Footheid; ornamental photograph stands and a brass flatdron stand, tho work of H. Clark ; a small portmanteau, made by James Mackie, and a specimen of sigowritmg done by William Quee. These, however, are not a tithe of tho really excellent exhibits sent by boys, whioh in almost every case give evidence of an amount of pains taking labour, and in some oases of ingenuity, which reflects upon them the greatest credit. Kind friends have sent a number of interesting exhibits, suoh as models of yachts, and curiosities of every description, and there is also a good collection of views and photographs ranged round the walls. In an adjoining room is the ' Boys v Art Gallery' in whioh are included such works of art as 'The Spirit has Departed ' (an empty gin bottle), ' Ohargc. of tho Light Brigade ' (a gas bill), ' Boars iu the Wood ' (a gimlet), and others of like humorous description. The exhibition was well attended during the afternoon and evening, in spite of the wet weather, and those present muoh ap. preciated the various works submitted for their inspection.