People's Entertainments.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6834, 23 April 1890, Page 4

People's Entertainments.

j PRELIMINARY MEETING. A meeting of those interested in the organisation of Saturday night entertainments for the people, was held in the i Municipal Buildings at 4.30 p.m. yesterday, the Mayor of Christchurch in the chair. The Chairman briefly explained that the object was to organise cheap entertainment for those whose hours of work and limited finances prevented their enjoyment of more expensive forms of entertainment and instruction. The Rev T. Flavell referred to the excellent results of the instruction given at the local School of Art, and the scientific aud mechanical lectures in connection with Canterbury College. These, however,hardly attrauti d the class of people it was now proposed to work for. It was suggested that the best music, vocal and instrumental, dramatic pieces and popular lectures should be given, but all must be realiy good. It was proposed to give such entertainments in June, July, August and September, and if they proved successful they might lead to the permanent establishment of a Working Men's Institute. He suggested that, as the meeting was so poorly attended, it should adjourn for a fortnight; that in the meantime a plan be evolved for the carrying out of the idea, and that the various Trades Unions be asked to send delegates to join the Committee. He read an apology from the Rev J. Hoatson, who stated that his views as to the desirability of establishing such entertainments were quite in accordance with the speaker's, and similar communications from Messrs W. B. Perceval, M.H.R., and T. S. Weston, both unavoidably absent. The speaker had a Dumber of promises of assistance from those in sympathy with the movement. He wished it noted that the movement had nothing to do with the Early Closing Association, though there would be, he uaderetood, a concert given on May 3, under the auspices of that Association. The E&v L. M. Isitt, after hearing Mr Flavell thought the idea a very feasible one indeed. He thought that their object should be to give good music and scientific and other instruction to the artisan classes at a nominal charge. He was sure that so soon as people saw their object was a good one they would be cordially supported. A great necessity in the conduct of the scheme was that the entertainments should be given at a very low charge. He detailed the plan of a similar scheme that had been very successful at Dunedin. Mr T. H. Smeaton also favoured the scheme. The Rev C. H. Bradbury expressed his sympathy and offered his help in any plan that might be adopted. The Rev T. Flavell moved the adjournmeut of the meeting until Wednesday, May 14, at 8 p.m., and that the Trades Council be asked to send three representatives to the Committee. The motion was adopted, and the meeting adjourned.