The New Zealand Times. MONDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1923. OUR FUTURE CITIZENS

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11656, 22 October 1923, Page 4

The New Zealand Times. MONDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1923. OUR FUTURE CITIZENS

The members of the Wellington Rotary Club are to be heartily congratulated on the great success of “Boys’ Night,’’ the monster entertainment given bj the club to the boys of t-lie upper standards of our public schools at the Town Hall on Friday last. The large hall was orowded in every part, even the orchestra seats presenting the smiling faces of serried row 6of boys; and the Acting-Prime Minister and local members of Parliament honoured the occasion with their presence. The greatest possible freedom was allowed the guests of the evening, only the necessary minimum of control being exercised; and, though the fun was glorious and the boys at times decidedly uproarious, never did that freedom degenerate into what could really he termed license. And never, surely, was the Town Hall the scene of more spontaneous and • whole-hearted enjoyment than that afforded Wellington’s future citizens by fiiie thoughtful kindness and enterprise of the Rotary' Club. It was a happy thought on the part of the entertainment committee to open the proceedings with a spell of community singing. The din made by the thousands of lusty young voices was, certainly', somewhat deafening, but the hoys showed a good knowledge of the various tunes; and it was a heart-stirring thing to, see them so thoroughly at home and so keenly enjoying themselves. If one may judge, too, by' the vigour and enthusiasm that they put into singing the National Anthem at the commencement and at the close of the proceedings, the loyalty of the rising generation of Welliagtonians was abundantly made manifest. It augured well, indeed, for the success of the Rotary Club in its laudable endeavour to inculcate in the boys of our city the highest ideals of manhood and of citizenship. It was good, also, to see the great interest and appreciation with which the youthful audience watched the very fine physical drill and gymnastic displays given, respectively, by the Boys’ Institute junior team and the Y.M.C.A. juniors. Both teams acquitted themselves meet creditably; and no doubt there was aroused in the hearts of many of the lads present a keen desire to emulate their prowess. The Boys’ Institute Band, too, deserves a hearty word of praise. The entertainment as a whole was most enjoyable, and admirably adapted to the guests for whom it was intended. Very wisely, the committee had seen to it that the programme was not overloaded with speeches; and the three addresses that were delivered —by the club president (Mr C. C. Odlin), by Rotarian G. A. Troup (president of the Boys’ Institute), and by Canon Feilden Taylor—were brief and to the point. Canon Taylor is a special favourite with the boys; and his appeal to the future Mayors, councillors, Parliamentarians, business men, and citizens and fathers of Wellington, to make their to-morrow better and brighter than our to-day, went home to their hearts. Yesterday was “Boys’ Sunday,’’ representing the more serious side of the effort made by the Rotary Club on behalf of the young Wellingtonians. This, too, was attended with a most encouraging degree of success. The parents and the boys themselves responded well to the request of the president that they should co-operate with the Rotary Club in the observance of the day as “Boys’ Sunday” ; and the pastors of the various churches and the Boys’ Institute also did well their part in conducting special services for the boys, and in giving special addresses impressing upon both the boys and their fathers and mothers the importance of building up fine characters, and sound minds in sound bodies. The heartiest thanks of the citizens of Wellington are due t<> the members of the Rotary Club for the good work which they have thus set on foot; and we trust that all concerned will see to it that these splendid institutions, “Boys’ Night’-* and “Boys’ Sunday,” are, for the future, ma-de annual fixtures.