WORKING MEN'S CLUB.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14212, 13 May 1908, Page 2

WORKING MEN'S CLUB.

AUSPICIOUS OPENING. (Pbom Our Own Correspondent.) AUCKLAND, May 12. In opening the new Working Men's Club yesterday tho Hon.' James M'Gowan referred to the value of clubs generally, and particularly working .men's clubs. He congratulated the Auckland Club on tho progress which it had made since its inception in 1878. The first year had ended in a credit ljalanee of £72 6s sd, whereas on December 31, 1907, tho accumulated funds amounted to £4644. When the club was first installed in Domiwell's RmMiiurs, at tho corner of Queen and Darby streets, it was at first greatly handicapped for want of funds, but as time went on its finances improved, and tho trustees turned their attention towards acquiring a freehold on which they hoped some day to build a club of their own. In 1903 they acquired a site near the foot of Groy street for £3600, but this wa6 acquired by the Auckland City Counoil in 1906 lor £4400. With this the present site running through from Coburg street to Lome 6tr«et was secured, and it was decided to build on the Coburg street half of tho property. II was originally intended to erect a mueli larger building, but when tho tenders were opened it was found that the cost woidd be too great, and a compromise was made allowing for future extensions, whilst the foundations for a three-storey buikh'ng hat' boen put in. The contract was let *1 £3693, but with extras the total cost wui brought up to £4500. Thus, together witJ the cost of the freehold, the total outlaj

by the club with the expenditure on furniture added would be well over £9000. It was not intended, however, to hold tlw Lome street portion of the site, and negotiations were now pending for its sale. The present membership, including lifo and country members, was 450, and there wao every' indication of a substantial increase during the year. (Per United Press Association!) / AUDIO/AND, May It Tho Hon. Mr M'Gowan said hf considered such institutions were among the , finest, social institutions we could possiblj get. Ho did not know that he would I not lie in favour of doing away with tho 1 whole of the licensed houses in the Dominion if clubs wore only established in their places. The man who etitercd a club had to undergo a scrutiny, and had to be balloted for before he was olected. which meant that ho had to pass a test' of respectability. Some people seemed to think that clubs were places where men went to enjoy themselves and drink freely without being under tho publie gaze, but that was not so. As a mattci of fact, he know that insobriety was prevented in clubs, and that responsible officials did the test they could to show * good example to other members.