PROPOSED BOYS’ INSTITUTE.

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 9321, 16 June 1891, Page 3

PROPOSED BOYS’ INSTITUTE.

PUBLIC MEETING. A large and representative meeting of gentlemen was hold in the Exchange Hall last night for the purpose of considering the establishment of an institute to provide gymnastic and other rational amusement for boys who are in the habit of roaming about the streets at night. There were about 200 persons present, and his Worship the Mayor occupied the chair. The following gentlemen were on the stage:— Messrs George Fisher and John Duthie, M.H.R.'s, Revs J. Still, J. W. Hope, and J. Paterson, and Mr J. G. Aitken. The Chairman read a letter from Mr T, K. Macdonald, M.H.K., regretting that be was not able to be present, owing to his business with the Public Trust Commission. Mr Aitken, ns chairman of the Provisional Committee, explained what had been done in the matter up to the present. A scheme for providing some kind of amusement for the boys had been engaging the minds of the Committee for a number of years, and they thought the time had now arrived when the project should be laid before the public with the view of getting support. It was hoped that a sum of 1.503 would be subscribed for the purpose of erecting a building. It was intended if the affair proved successful to put up a gymnasium, and have classes for mental instruction. The Committee were confident now that the project was going to be a success, and that the necessary money will be obtained from the Wellington public. His Worship the Mayor then moved the following resolution :—That this meeting approves of the proposal to establish a Boys’ Institute in the City of Wellington, to afford rational amusement and instruction for boys who would not otherwise receive the same; and that the public be invited to subscribe, and that the following form a Committee, with power to add to their number, and to arrange details, vis. 'The Mayor of Wellington (Mr A. W. Brown), Messrs G. Fisher, J. Duthie, T. K. Macdonald, and DrjNewman. M.H.Rs, Revs J. Still, J. W. Hope, and J. Paterson, Drs Macgregor and Martin, Captain Edwin, Messrs J. Pethericfc, T. McKenzie, J. G. Aitken. W. Allan, O. Callis, F. dc J. Clere, F. H. Fraser, J. W. Gibson, E. J. Graham, H. Hall, L. Halliwell, A, Hoby, W. Hopkirk.R. Hopkirk, A Hnwitt, A, Johnston, W; W. Knowles, W. J. Laukshear, J. Thompson, G, A. Troup, J. Young, S. G. Martin, Inspector Thomson, and M. P. Cameron. In speaking to the motion Mr Brown said he believed that nuch an institution as had been pointed ■ out by Mr Aitken was necessary. Ho (Mr Brown) was not lona of those who deprecated the present system of Education. Boys, he said, would be

boys, and he believed the boys of 30 years R o° were just as preat radicals as those of the present day. It was, he contended, the duty of all persons to uphold the present system of State Education—(hear, bear) —because that system was not responsible for the evils that some boys had been guilty of from time to time. He spoke as one who had had considerable experience in educational matters during the last seven or eight years, but he thought that very frequently there was not that amount of sympathy between master and boys that there should be. There were a good many people who were under the irapre&sion that the Committee would have to go into the highways and byways to collect the boys, but he could assure those who thought so tliat'they were mistaken Some eight or nine years'ago the Committee of the Mount Cook Boys’ School started a night class, and the first night it was opened there were about 130 boys applied for admission. In conclusion, Mr Brown said that the citizens of Wellington should be truly thankful to those gentlemen who had been instrumental in starting this project. . The llev J. Paterson said he was cognizant that good work had been golngon the direction already referred to. The Lad a Mission, as it was now called, had given many boys aeound moral and religious training, and had kept many from going astray. He was sure those who contributed to this proposed institution would never regret having done so. . Mr George Fisher, characterised the promoters as patriots of the first degree, because men who transferred useless waifs ot humanity to usefulness were deserving o* every praLe. He had placed before the Legislature at various limes a Bill to further the instruction of technical education m rsew Zealand, and lie hoped that when the tune came it would receive the honest consideration of Parliament, If the institution was formed, he would be willing to teach any of the boys who cared to learn a system of shorthand. (Hear, hear.) Mr Fisher seconded the motion with very much pleasure. , _ r ~ Mr Du this, M.HB-, and Mr Carroll, Mayor of Dunedin, also spoke highly of the proposed institution. ~ . The Kev Mr Still thought that it would be impossible to carry out the project successfully if good and bad boys were admitted. He felt sure they would not mix. . The Kev Mr Mope gave along and interesting account of the working of a Boy s Institute in Liverpool, which a few years ago [started in one small room and grew so rabidly, that now they had a large institution doing a vast amount of good. The rev gentleman differed altogether from the statement made by the last sneaker that the good and bad boys would not mix together. He (Mr Hope) maintained that there was some good point to be found in tne very worst of boys. .... - Mr J. G. Aitken said that the institution was meant to be for the benefit of those lads who roamed about the streets at night. The motion was then put and carried unanimAß'vote of thanks to the chairman and speakers having been proposed by Mr tallis, the meeting terminated.