WADESTOWN CLUB

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 7049, 10 February 1910, Page 5

WADESTOWN CLUB

THE MAYOR ON SUBURBAN LIFE-

An attractive and)‘well arranged blub was opened in Pitt street, Wadestown, last ‘ night by - tho - Mayor of Wellington (Dr A. K. Newman). The premises stand on a freehold-site, and the building, designed by Mi D, Hay, and erected in wood, contains a spacious ■ social hall, billiardrobm.h cardroom, . and dressing rooms. The club starts with a member - ship of between- 40 and 50„ and owing to , the excellent support given to tho institution, a sum of .£BOO was available for expenditure, a portion of this being raised by debentures. Mas Rhodes is the; patron of the club, Mr C. R. Joplin 1 president, and .Mr E.-;Moffatt secretary, while- the’ Mayor of. Wellington, Messrs T. M. Wilford, M.P., J. P. Luke. M.P., W. Bh-Morris, and K. Fletcher are its vice-presidents. ;• 1 ' ! A well-attended 1 concert formed tiu opening feature. Mr Joplin, who presided, stated that the institution - had grown.from a small building near t(ie schoolroom, which had become inadequate for the requirements of a growing neighbourhood, and the way in which, the young men of the-district had worked for their club was very creditable. They first took up debentures to enable the site-to.be purchased, and then sufficient money was raised to put up tho building. Dr Newman, in formally 'declaring the club open, suggested that people made a great mistake if they did not attempt to have, a town life in the suburbs. They spent all their waking moment© in Wellington and simply went into the suburbs to sleep. That was one of the drawbacks, that there .was not enough "life" in the suburbs, but there was sufficient talent in Wadestown to remedy the ■ deficiency.v There'-' were cranks aiid a few married ladies who said clubs were bad, but if a. husband was at his club he was safe." (Laughter.) If one’s boys were at the club among - one’s own friends it was better . than being in the hotel with somebody pise’s friends, so for that reason be believed in clubs. A club in suburban life was one of the most valuable means of civilising tho young men. Mr J. P. Luke, M.P., spoke in High praise of the young men’s efforts in getting such a fine . institution, and sug-gested-that the social'hail provided the means for a-library. He/believed that tho City Council might extend its library work so as to fit up such a hall with books and papers foir the young people of the community. (Applause). Messrs A. B. Atkinson and' K. Fletcher also expressed their sympathy with the club’s objects, and good wishes for its welfare.

; .The .contributors,to an excellent musical programme Were Mrs. Joplin, who acted as accompanist, Mrs S. Costello, Mrs'Kdlly/the Misses Portman and Vincent, and Messrs B. Jacobs, J. Dykes, J. A. Sinclair, and St. Clair. Tho'eoncert was followed by supper and dancing.