Boys' Institutes.

Thames Star, Volume XXIII, Issue 6863, 23 April 1891, Page 3

Boys' Institutes.

The queition, " What shall we do with oor street boys P" i» often asked. The answer is aptly supplied by the promoters of a Boys' Institute for Wellington, a sketch of whose scheme is sow before us. These philanthropic gentlemen justly observe that the children of the poorer "■ classes seek for amusement" in tbe streets mainly because their homes are small, crowded, and nsualiy devoid of comfort. In many cities of [England, and in some of the cities of Aus« tralia, Boys' Institutes have been built and fitted up as readings-rooms, gymnasiums, recreation halls, and class-rooms; and tbe benevolent project has been attended with much success. A special feature of these Institutes is that the toYi themselves have a share in the management. Committees are elected Snongst themselves, and rules made hv these are readily obeyed. The sense rJ relpO nßibility is engendered, and the ' whiloia atreet-arabs *re converted into Svocafes of law, order, and decent tahAviour. Ths promoters mention that -" Wellington something has already been 2»n« for the boys who have none of the Home comforts or recreations enjoyed by WAfn whose parents are well-to-do. f^ptoposeTt/builda lull, and f «m ?-«mewh»t on the English plan. The at!?«f .reeling wd fitting up snoh aa Oof uLh£ent on a central site is erti--JiJSfit iBBOO, a6d to raise the necessary SSS the obititaWe promotera apped to