PUBLIC RECREATION AND INSTRUCTION.

Otago Witness, Issue 2560, 8 April 1903, Page 13

PUBLIC RECREATION AND INSTRUCTION.

THE MAYOR'S SCHEME.

"It must be apparent to all of us," said the Mayor of Dunedin (Mr J. A. Park) to a Daily Times reporter last week, " that there is a class of young men growing up in our midet who after wosk idle their time away by loitering about the streets for want of something better to engage their minds. It is not creditable to the City of Dunedin, and I consider it is the duty of the City Council, and also of 'the citizens, to set about and endeavour to stop this unsatisfactory state of things." " Yes," his Worship went on, in reply to a question, " I have given the matter some thought. I have been sketohing a scheme for the establishment of youths' resorts in the city. They could be erected and equipped at the expense of the City Council vender section 355 of 'The Municipal Corporations Act, 1900,' which gives the council power to provide places of public- recreation. Such places could be erected in a convenient position in each of the four wards of the city. I estimate that the cost of each resort, fully equipped, wculd be £1000. < " The management would not be a difficut matter. The three City Council representatives of each ward could be the supervisors, assisted by a committee of gentlemen in the neighbourhood of each resort. I may say that numbers of eligible persons have already expressed their • willingness to me to assist in this way. Arrangements could be made with some needy women living close to the resort to keep the room clean, and there should be no other expense in the annual upkeep. Rules and regulations of an elastic mature could be framed fo suit the, youths patronising the resort. They should be made to feel at home, and allowed to go in and out in a free and easy manner, subject to strict order being kept in tl:e building. The management could ask for contributions of papers and periodicals from all quarters. It is not intended to have a library in the meantime, and therefore the reading room would be only supplied with papers and periodicals sufficient to attract and engage the attention of the youths during tho evening. The management could also arrange for competition between the different ward resorts, such as billiard tournaments, gymnastic displays, etc. This would create a friendly rivalry amongst the wards, which would assist to make a success of the movement. Arrangements might be made with the several bands to play periodically on different evening 3at the resorts. If it is thought necessary, a. charge of Id per head per night could be charged, and I reckon that a revenue of at least £150 to £200 per annum would come in from that source. On no account should drink be allowed on the premises, or betting or money paes in connection with the several amusements, the resorts only being established for amusements' sake. " The buildings to be erected should be of an unpretentious and convenient design, not by any means expensive, and so furnished a? to attract the youths and not frighten them away.. There would be three apartments — reading room, gymnasium, and billiard and card room, — each furnished in such a manner as to attract the class of youths intended to be catered for. Welllighted and properly-ventilated conveniences, such as lavatory, etc., should also be fitted up. "My object in proposing this scheme is to give the youths of the community an opportunity to enjoy innocent and harmless amusements and occupy their lime in the evenings. Citizens, for the sake of their families and the good name of the city, should give every assistance to any movement that will help the object. This scheme will, I am sure, be the means of inducing young men to assemble in these resorts and enjoy themselves, and so keep off the streets and out of mischief, with great benefit to themselves and a chance of becoming good citizens. The resorts could be open to youths from the suburbs and country. A trial of the scheme could be made by the erection of one resort, and should it prove successful others could be erected. It is quite evident to all of us that such places of entertainment will necessarily have to be established sooner or later, to take the place of the ma-ny places of resorts that are likely to be closed in the near future. Unfortunately the City Corporation have their hands full at present, but I Fee nc reason why inquiries should not be mado a3 to cost of buildings and equipment, so as to be ready for action at some future time."

"Winton is afflicted with scarlet fever and German measles.

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