COSMOPOLITAN CLUB.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXVI, Issue 13343, 3 April 1911, Page 3

COSMOPOLITAN CLUB.

OPENING OF NEW PORTION

Successful Senes cf Functions

The series of functions held on Saturday in connection with, the opening of the additions to the Cosmopolitan Club were v decided success, everything being carrier through, in a maimer which reflected predion those responaible for the arrangements especially the president (Mr G. Gardener' and Mr W, Hall (secretary). At 4 o’clcck on Saturday the ceremony of opening the new portion was performed by the Hon. Thos. Mackenzie. Minister for Agriculture, in the presence of a large number of members of the club and their friends, including <i fair sprinkling of Isc.ies. Proceedings started with the opening by th" Minister, with a gold key presented b- Mr Gardener, of the door on the Cauipbe,!) Place frontage, leading into the new portion of the now magnificent bindings. Mr Mackenzie, accompanied by Miss Mackenzie and partv, then proceeded upstairs to the new billiard room, where the speechifying took place. Mr GARDENER. after heartily welcoming the visitors on behalf of the members, said hs believed all members were please'at the opening of the new additions, ’there had been a deal of opposition to the scheme when the improvements were firs! mooted, but lip was gratified to find thal those who had most strenuously opposed tile additions had been amongst the first to come forward and congratulate the committee on their completion. Mr Gardener thought he would be agreed with when he said that the Cosmopolitan Club contributed in a great degree to either the weal or woe of Wanganui—it could make or mar the progress of the town. It had figured as an educational institution which had reflected credit on- Wanganui, and il would have been a great mistake not to endeavour to keep up with- the progress o' the town. A short time ago the club had had to refuse to accept more members, owing to lack of accommodation, and hacmembers decided to restrict the ramifications of the institution it would have been idiotic. Mr Gardener want on to say that a policy of stagnation meant decay, and spoke of the necessity for upholding the dignity of life and of the duty of endeavouring to make lives happy'. A man not actuated hy these ideals was of uo use. He felt that in trying to further the interests of the club lie was doing what was for the best. The present prosperity of the club was based on sound lines, which ensured success in the future. He recognised there was the bogey of No-license, which had made many doubt the wisdom of embarking on such an ambitious scheme of improvements as had just been carried through, but it all depended or, the members themselves, who had nothing to fear so long as they upheld the dignity of the club. Probably most of the revenue was derived from the bar, but they did not want the man who went to excess. He wanted the public to realise that fact. He asked, why should not a man enjoy himself ? The good done by the club was not realised. Apart from the sum that goes in wages, and affording facilities for innocent recreation, no application for charitv was ever refused. The club stood for pro gress and so long as the members did their best to act up to the best traditions of the club' they could depend on the support of the public. He and others associated with him desired to make the place such that the temperance- people shall have no right to deprecate the club. Mr .Gardener mentioned that the-club was now, so constructed that members and their friends could go to and from the libarry, the cardrooms. or the billiard room, and never come in contact with the bar. The ideas some people held regarding the club were, he pointed out, erroneous, and they should come and help to make the weak m:i" strong.. He was satisfied that the club had done more good in the town than all the churches, in certain directions. They had uo time for the waster or the loafer. Mr Gardeuer then asked Mr Mackenzie to declare the building open. Mr MACKENZIE, who was given a cordial reception, said that it gave him great pleasure to participate in tire opening of such a magnificent building, which was a credit to the town, and an illustration of the district’s growth. He mentioned that when lie first visited Wanganui, at the age of 19, it was then in a very different condition to what it was to-day. At that time he was-camped with a survey party on the banks of the river, their mission being the survey of the Parckaretu Block. Since thou the town and district had progrossed' greatly, but this was not surprising, as there were all the elements in and around the place which go to make up a great city and a most prosperous district, and all the surroundings were here which go to make up a happy people. Mr Mackenzie said that from a small beginning the club had grown until it had assumed a very important position in the town. Started some 19 years ago, with about 50 members, it bad now 1300 members, a library containing 40,000 volumes, and property valued at .£15,000. As Mr Gardener-had said, the weal or woe cf the town was closely connected with the club, and he hoped it would hs the former which the Club would continue to promote. This it could do if all that was right and proper were pursued. Members who had wives at home would not risk returning in that condition which Tam O'imanter often attained to. (Laughter,) Mr Mackenzie again referred to the prosperity everywhere apparent in the Wanganui district, and spoke of the beautiful scenery of the Wanganui River. In this connection he paid a tribute to Mr Hogan for his efforts to have the scenery preserved. Referring again to the Club, Mr Mackenzie said when lie saw the workers clubbing together for mutual enjoyment and social intercourse, and providing the elements that go to build .up a happy neople. he was convinced they were spending their lives well .and that their works would follow them. After expressing the Hon. Jas. Carroll’s regret for inability to be present, Mr Mackenzie concluded by declaring the building open and expressing the hope that with care, abstinence, and .discretion, it might Ire a blessing to this citv.

Mr J. T. HOGAN, M.P., who was warmly received, expressed his pleasure at being present at the function. Though lie had known the Club had a large membership and was doing work that uo one could find Tauli with, he had no idea, until that dayythat the Club had bcen so progressive or .its buildings so elaborate. The progress of the Club was in keeping with the progress of Wanganui, whose keynote was progressiveness. He declared -that the people here were imbued with a spirit of progress, and whatever they set out to do they carried through to a successful issue? 'He enumerated a few instances, notably the inauguration of the electric trams, and expressed the hope that before long the system would be extended to all the suburbs. With the magnificent -back country, and the immense possibilities of the district, backed uo by siu-li progressive people, the future o‘f the town was assured. Wanganui was bound to be one of the most ■ important-iu New Zealand, both from the point of view of size and influence. Mr Hogan congratulated" the Club upon the position it hhd attained. It was a credit to the town and district; and, so' far from doing harm, as some .peoplqi alleged, it was doing a great deal of good in the community. Ho was ,glacl tm hear the President's* statement that ■those who had opposed the improvements had since expressed approval of what had

been done. Every man had a right to his own opinion, and it should be respected. If people of different opinions could come together and enioy-tho of such a fine building, a very great deal of good would be done. Mr C. E. MACK.VY, Mayor of Wanganui, welcomed the Hon. Thas. Mackenzie to Wanganui. Sneaking as a member of the Club, he said he thought they must all be pleased at being established in their new quarters, which should afford accommodation for many years to come. The' new rooms would be the means of affording much inneoefit recreation. The Cosmopolitan Club was the first public ..institution with which he had been associated in Wanganui,' and he could honestly say fie had "derived more .pleasure" and suffered less inconvenience and . annoyance there than in any other institution in tdivn. Mr Mackny concluded by expressing' regret that the late Mr Blennerhassett' had not lived to see the completion of the new additions, in the progress of which he had always manifested keen interest. Mr GEORGE SPRIGGENS, ex-presi-dent, acknowledged Mr Gardener’s kindness in inviting, him to be present. As one who had strongly opposed L ,the new additions, he wished now to congratulate the President and those who’ had supported him in the matter upon the completion of tbe work. The reason lie first oppteed the scheme was that Jie thought it too ambitious —that the size of the town did not warrant such an expenditure. He then spoke of- his’ eleven years official connection with the institution, two years ns committeeman and nine years as President, and ho paid a very fitting tribute to Mr IV. Hall, the secretary, who had rendered sncli valuable assistance to the Club in conscrving-its interests financially and otherwise. He concluded by congratulating Mr Gardener on the success ho had achieved, and expressing the hope that 'that gentleman would bo given an opportunity of carrying on the good work he had done. Mr GARDENER at this stage read a number of anblogies for unavoidable absence, including telegrams from all the Ministers of the Crown not present, and the various clubs throughout the Dominion unrepresented. The function concluded with cheers for the Hon. .T. Mackenzie, Mr Hogan, and Mr Gardener.

DINNER AT CHAVANNES’. At 7 o’clock a dinner was tendered at Chavannes’ Hotel tw the officers and members of ihe club to the Hon. T. Mackenzie, Mr J. T. Hogan, M.P., and the delegates from th; other clubs. Mr G. M. Gardener presiding. An excellent menu was provided bv Mr J. G. Swan, and the dinner’ served in the first-class style for which the popular host is noted. The inner man satisfied, the president proposed the usual loyal toast, which was duly honoured. The MAYOR then proposed-“ The Ministry and the Houses of Parliament of New Zealand”—a toast which he said was always and properly regarded as ono of the mostimport ant. and he coupled with it, the names of the Hon. Thomas Mackenzie' and Mr 3. T. Hogan, MiP. Mr Mackay said all realised the good work done by the Parliament of New Zealand. Whether they agreed with the policy of the party now in power or not. all fair-minded men would give them credit for honesty of purpose, and most concede that every Minister of the Crown and every , member of Parliament was doing, hisriisst to: promote the best interests of the Dominion. Whatever differences there, blight be on matters of policy and administration, there could be no doubt as to the purity of. purpose and the honesty of intention of the men whom they hud entrusted with the government of the country. The Hon. THOMAS MACKENZIE, in acknowledging the toastj and' the kindly way'in which it was,.proposed, said he had not expected to be, called upon for a speech. After a humorous allusion, to the way in which the “Macke”, seeined, to be standing out everywhere, Mr" Mackenzie said that so far as the Ministry was’-con-cerned, he could truthfully say they, were doing their best. It was a very strenuous life that of a Minister of the Crown, and as a rule the men who devoted themselves whole-heartedly to it were not far from stepping into their coffins when they reached the top of the tree. The duties of members of Parliament had increased greatly of late, and the, responsibility of Ministers had become still more weighty with the greater number of functions which needed supervision. They were fr» quently taken to task, as, in deed, it was only right and proper that they should he if they were held to he in the wrong. Butwhat amazed him was the surprisingly few mistakes which Ministers made when the enormous number of matters with which they had to deal, and often at only a moment’s notice, were considered. Of many of those things the public saw and hoard nothing, but when a mistake was made it was pretty’well rubbed in. He did not object to- this,, but -so long as things went right nothing was said about 'them, "it .was only when-a hitch occurred that they were taken to task. This opposition was good: it meant “go”; it meant “life,” and showed that there was another body of men ready to step into their shoes and do their part iu what they conceived to be in the best interests of the Dominion, and, in their opinion, do the work better than the men they criticised. Still, taking into account the present, conditions of our country, and''the fact that its affairs were shaped on a universal franchise, he did not accept very, seriously the criticism of men who clung to a system of political economy which was entirely based on the' limited franchise of bygone days. Such a policy would not stand, however. The people had come more fully into their inheritance; they demanded fairconsideratiorq they asked, that the conditions of life should be .improved. It wee their right;-' and they did not mean to be done out of it: Why was it that the pioneers came to New Zealand? It was became they could not find in the Old Land that liberty and opportunity for -which they yearned. 1 They took the risks of travel and Die hardships of pioneering in order that they might establish in these younger

countries I 'fi 11 ,i'iil : fiocr , ''_crf:Kliti<ins; i , ofi, life. Had those topiimtioMlllMnfrealised'fe To a largo , exit i 1 tffiuv had provided Hi i i ’Hi i cational facilitiami had i-t >bli-hodthe principle of cqn.'iU ol op, oit "i'li do all,' and having do"c Dial llu f-Lsic raid to* the individual: "In your oiwi fi.i.'.d-- volt--! your ,destiny,.’’ : , Mt; was -right .that it 'be so, for 'if the people wore to jgetstwj they must develop their natural and physi-| cal abilities. It-was 'these conditions ; which made for the prosperity of the country. He. had been delighted to be iu Wanganui, and to see that fine body , of, men which had assembled during the afternoon’s celebrations. Such men repre* aonlod the wealth and sinew of the country, and it was always a delight to come into the society of men who took their fair share of work and responsibility. H© had no time for the idle rich, and he wae glad to see opinion trending the same way in the Old Country. It behoved ns all, and especially our young men, to carefully watch the possibilities of political progress, and not to ask for what was impossible. It behoved them to honestly consider both (rides of every question, to have regard both for the employer and the worker, to work for the common good, which was the good of aIU Mr Mackenzie concluded by expressing the hope that-he would have further opportunities of meeting the men who had been associated in the building up of such a splendid institution as the Cosmopolitan. Club. Mr J. T. HOGAN said it was an honour to have to respond to such a toast as “The Parliament of New -Zealand.” Mr Mackenzie had in the course of his remarks voiced his (Mr TTogah’e) sentiment., The hon. gentleman had touched on questions of vital importance to the people of New Zealand, but further reference thereto was impossible, as they were due at another function. Mr Hogan concluded by expressing his personal thanks, and remarking on the fact that whatever differences of opinion there might he- in political matters, on such occasions as this there was commendable, unanimity in sinking such. The CHAIRMAN then proposed “Kindred Clubs,” to which Messrs Smith and \ > ells responded on- behalf of the Palmerston North Working Men’s Club. : Mr SMITH said hs had been in clubs in all parts of New Zealand, but ho had been astonished by what he had seen that day. " Referring to the afternoon function, Mr Smith said it was asnch .social reunions as that which might bo relied on to dispel the aversion which so many ladies seemed to have to their husbands belonging td chibs. He could not see what was to stop anyone belonging to such an institution. The singing r of the. National Anthem brought the after-dinner proceedings to a close. /

SMOKE CONCERT. At 8.30 on Saturday evening a smoko concert was held in tiie club’s social hall, when a very enjoyable time was spent, vocal and instrumental items being rendered by Messrs Suisted, Birmingham, Short, Whiteford, Swan, and Eapley. The principal feature. of the programme was the presentation of an illuminated address to Mr George Spriggens, a former president of the chib. The address was contained in a silver-mounted album, which also included 125 views illustrative of the club’s history, and a number of the membars’ signatures. The address referred toMr Spriggens’ valuable services to the club during Ifis 18 years’ membership, of which nine years were as president, eulogised the efforts of others who had been associated with Mr Spriggens, outlined the objects of the club, and concluded by wishing Mr Spriggens a . safe return from his forthcoming trip to the Old Country. The presentation was made, by the, president Air G. M. Gardener, in returning thanks to whom Mr Spriggens said he had never expected so handsome., a present. After referring to the changes iii the club and its membership during the past few years, Mr Spriggens .said bo had intended going Home to the Coronation. Tn- view of the Borough Council and Harbour Board elections, and 'the coming focal option poll, however, he had decided to postpone his trip till later, as he wanted to take part in those elections. '-’WhateverTie had done for the club in th© past had been a labour, of love. H.? considered Mr Gardener should be elected president for another 12 months at least, in order tc carry out his programme. He had strongly opposed Mr Gardener’s building proposals, but now that they had been 'carried Mr Gardener should be given every opportunity of carrying- them put. .'After holding up the- Sydenham:-Club :as a warning of what followed bad management, Mr Spriggens asked Air Gardener’s acceptance of a framed photograph of those present 1 on the occasion of the opening of the - hew club in 1909. ' I T

Mr Gardener briefly, returned thanks for the gift. . ; 1 The Hon. T. Mackenzie also briefly addressed -those present, and a pleasurable gathering was brought. to a close, .shortly after 9.30 o’clock. UP-RIVER EXCURSION. Yesterday an up-river excursion was held, the steamer Maniiwai being well filled with members of the Club, their wives and families and friends. The steamer left town at about 10.30 a.m.. and' arrived at Hipango Park at’lg.htf; and a start made for home again at 4 o’clock, the wharf being reached at about 5.45 o’clock. The weather wae delightfully line, and the excursion proved very enjoyable. Dinner was provided on board the steamer for the visitors and. the committee and their wives. Mr Gardener, who presided, took the opportunity of proposing the, health of “Our Host,” Mr J. G. Swan, who, he said, had given the utmost satisfaction, not only in the way in which he had catered for them thatday, but also at the banquet the previous evening. He warmly complimented him on the excellence of the menu and the arrangements ah both' functions. Mr Swan suitably replied.This excursion concluded a round of festivities which were all greatly enjoyed, and much credit is due to Mr G. M. Gar-, dener (the guiding spirit throughout) for the success achieved at each and all of the functions. The whole of the celebrations were carried through in a most thorough manner, and in a style worthy of such an important stage of the Club’s historv.