THE SIGHTS.OF SYDNEY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2356, 20 April 1899, Page 59

THE SIGHTS.OF SYDNEY.

Br Cigarette.

THE LADIES' CLUB.

Can you direct me to the Ladies Club? 7*7 * I asked of a passer-by. " Yes, it is in Eliza* beth street exactly opposite Weldon's Matrimonial Bureau ! " and he grinned and passed on. "He takes it for granted that we know where that is," remarked my companion, and fortunately we did, for it is close to the Steam Tram Terminus, and boasts of a large brass plate visible a long way off. Tho Ladies' Club, we have been told, is the only one in the Southern Hemisphere, so curiosity prompts us to *.<ike a peep inside. It is an unpretentious bwlding dark and gloomy on the outside, but comfortable enough within. We are shown iato the salon, a large room, opening on to a balcony, and through am open door we see another and smaller room. While waiting the entrance of the secretary we take a glance round the room, which ia furnibhed as an ordinary hotel drawing-room— the walls yellow, the furnituro mostly blue. There are a few paintings on the walls' lent by different artists, and there is a grand piano and a few books. Presently • Miss Manning, the founder and manager of the club enters, and gives us all the information we require. We learn' thafc the Ladies' Club has been in existence two years ; it is a residential as well as a social club, and numbers about 150 members. Tha entrance fee is a guinea, and the annual subscription three guineas for club members and a guinea and a-half for salon members. Tho latter, of whom there are 50, have not the same privileges as club members. The Victoria Club (for that is the name of this Ladies' Club) gives an 'At Home" every Tuesday afternoon, when each member may introduce a friend. Doubtless these " At,Homes " are very entertaining, as there is' plenty of talent available amongst the members, although the club is not identified with art or literature, but is simply a social institution modelled on the same lines as the Austral Salon with additions and modifications suitable for a residential club. "Are gentlemen admitted?" I ask. "Oh, ye?. We have gentlemen among our salon members," is the reply "They have the use of tho salon, the reading-room^ and the tele» phone. " And is it financially a success? "' " Yes, I may say it is, and will be a greater suncess when wo can oblnin a more suitable building. There are only six availablo bedrooms here, and the position is not central enough. Wo aro trying to get a place cloeo to the Australia Hotel, which would suit us far better." "And what are the qualifications for admission to the club? " I ask. "There aro no special qualifications," is tho roply. "There is_ an election committee, and when a lady wishes to become a member her name is put up for a fortnight and members write againsb it any information they possess concerning her. She must bo proposed and seconded by a member pf the club ; of course she inueb be respectable " The idea of anyone not respectable preFenting themselves at this pxclusive establishment rather tickled my fancy. Outside there is a rustle of silken petticoats, and through the door we catch a glimpse of a femalo form ascending tho stairs, but she does not come our way so we see nothing of the club members and receive the impression that the place is not too well patronised. Presently we are phown over the building, our guide deploring tho fact that the rooms are too small, one very large salon being preferable to two small ones. There is a nice reading-room comfortably furnished,. b;il with rather a dearth of magazine?. Howover, the club members possibly do not como there to read Lunch is just over, and we take a peep into tho dining-room, a very cosy apartment set about with small tables, where doubtless many sociable meals are par taken of. "How many usually dine here?" wo aßk. "Well, I really cannot tell — the number varies so. Sometimes there aro a great many, and at other times very few." "It must be difficult to cater then?" I re mark. " Yes, it is, very. I never know how many are coming." "Are members allowed to bring friends in to meals? " I ask. " Oh, yes; a club member may introduce six friends and a salon member three. Of coureo tho meals are all paid for." " How late does tho club keep open." " We close at 11, so that is one particular in which we differ from men's clubs." Passing through the hall we notico a card hanging up and read, "Subject for DebateIs More Harm Done by Crime or Mistaken Zeal?" " So you havo a Debating Society? " "Yes, we havo just formed one, and thafc 10 to be our opening subject." " Well, you have chosen a very interesting one. There is a v/ide field, for debate there. And now I am sure we have kept you long enough." "Before you go Imust tell you that Lady Darlev is our President, and Mrs Pearson (the .Admiral's wife). Mrs French, and Lady Inncsvice-presidentr. Goodbye." There is no doubt that a Ladies' Club is a useful institution for society women who havo a good deal of time on their hands. They can meet each other and arrange entertainments without upsetting their homes; they can invite their friends to lunch at a moment's notice, and havo a rest and a quiet chat after the fatigues of shopping; if nocessarv they ran spend a night in town without enduring the publicity of a hotel ; and, to crown all. when the husband say?, " Don't wait up for me, dear. I have to work late at the office to-night," the wife can say with a smile, " AH righb. darling, don't hurry backI'll go down to the club."