WELLINGTON GYMNASIUM.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3531, 22 June 1872, Page 3

WELLINGTON GYMNASIUM.

Young Wellington ia to be congratulated. After several plucky attempts and as many failures, nothing dauntod, a few of the young generation determined that they would not be beaten, and that they would have a gymnasium. And they now have one ; nor will the most faßtidious say ifc is not a credit to (he city. We like the spirit thafc has been displayed all through the Gymnasium movement. It shows that the youug stock are not unworthy of fche old. The first establishment of a gymnasium in Wellington is comparatively so recent fchafc ifc will bo recollected what efforts were made by a few enthusiastic youths to obtain for the city an institution of this kind What was wanting in resources was made up for by push and persistency, and taking upon their own shoulders a risk and responsibility that might; cause them to be laughed at by less enthusiastic porsons. First the premises were rented and partially prepared, when thero waß found fco be a sad want of the necessary appurtenances, tho obtaining of which seemed hopeless without a considerable Bum of money. Bufc remembering the old saying, " Where there's a will there's a way," the will soon discovered a way, and before long the gymnasium was as well appointed as need bo. The novelty of fcho thing raised quite a furore among tho youths of the city, and the institution promised for a short ' time to become permanent ; but it soon appeared that the new thing needed to become acclimatised. As soon aB fche freshness wore away subscribers began to fall off, and worse, become eccentric in their payments. Even thia tho chief promoters had in somo degree provided for, and now dcvicoß were tried to keep up the flagging interest. But it was all of no avail. Young Wellington had not learned to look st such an institution as something thafc was highly necessary to them » and therefore tobe supported. The imfcitution soon collapsed of sheer inanition. A revival was afterwards made; but that too i quickly and quietly died out, and everyone I thought we had heard the last of gymnasiums F in Wellington for a long timo to come. However, a few of those connected with f the old movement looked on their past ■ failures as a sort of stigma on the place [ and themselves, and accordingly deter- [ mined to renew operations, bufc on an i entirely now basis. The success which has attended their efforts so far shows that the r projectors poßseas not a little business tact and judgment. The first move was in obtaining a free grant of land from the Provinoial Goi vernment on ono of fche mosfc central pieces of ground in the city. The nexfc was tho forma- , tion of a joint stock company. As a natural . sequence the erection of a building specially adapted for tho practice of gymnastics soon > followed. Up to thafc point things have gone on swimmingly, and now the power of the i promoters ovor the future fortunes of the now institution may bo said to have virtuully ceased. Ifc now becomes fcho duty of our budding manhood to contribute their quota of 1 support — of which a word or two further on. j If the originators of tho enterprise deserved I groat credit — as they undoubtedly did — for 3 achieving so much with such slight assistance, r the promoters of fcho joint stock company and . builders of the new and handsome gymnasium deserve still moro for so successfully grappling 3 a thing which had twice been proved could b not stand alone without adventitious support. y As to the ultimate success of this third • effort, very much must of necessity depend o upon tho support it will receive from those c for whoso benefit it has solely been erected. 3 That ifc will bo mado as largely useful in fche c physical education and training of our youth c as ifc might bo is nofc to bo hoped for jusfc yet ; j but there can be no doubfc fchafc wifch judicious ,1 management ib may bo made to do SO to a s very great oxtont. The prosent institution i- has much in its favor to ensure its succeßß that ;. was nofc possessed by either of its predccess sora. Ifc is in every respect superior : the i- building, tho appointments, the management, and indeed everything in connection with :• ifc is all that could be desired ; and o as a whole, therefore, ' the institution ia •, nofc such as could be allowed to sink d into uselessness without an effort. So r mnch has already been said and written in c praise of the practice of athletics—and.popu-

hr opinion is bo unanimous upon fche point— that nothing vory now or ontertaining can be said here upon the matter. It may, however, be remarked that youth has its duties ns well as that later period of life when one shoved be prepared to fulfil tho various duties of a citizen and taking an intelligent part in all local objects, besidos exercising his proper weight in the genoral affairs of the country. It is therefore incumbent upon tho rising generation that they should t.J c r^me little trouble to inure their bodies by acquiring that strength and activity necessary to prepare them for the vicissitudes of life. They should always have before them the fact that from their ranks must be recruited thoso representatives who will in future havo to sustain the credit of Wellington against the athletes ofthe sister cities of this colony and others in those interprovincial and intercolonial contests which havo been so successfully initiated and which bid fair to become an established usage. And what is better adapted to give them that genoral stamina and strength of limb and quickness of eye required in boating, in cricket, in football, and the many other physical contests to which our race is so partial, than the training of a gymnasium ? Amongst the promiscuous gathering which will be found beneath the roof of such an institution the youth of all classes will insensibly imbibe that spirit of manliness and fair play towards each othei', and that perfect democracy of feeling that so ramarkably distinguishes tho lovers of tho national game of cricket. The gymnasium also possesses the advantage that ifc is available at all times and at all seasons, and when exorcise elsewhere is impossible. Of THE BUILDING itself little need be said except that it is sufficiently handsome as a structure whilst it is well adapted for all the ordinary purposes for which it is likely to be required. Ifc is 75 feet long by 35 foet wide, exclusive of offices, of which there are two, and whicli might be mado available as chess or draught rooms. The main hall is 65 feot by 35 feot, having a raised platform at tho north ond 14 foet wido and stretching across the hall. Tbis is intended for fencing and club exercise. Connected with this platform aro the committeo and dressing rooms, from which lead passages to the lavatories, yards, and offices. Gas hns been laid on throughout the building. Over the entrance, to whioh there is a porch, is a fanlight of plato glass, upon which tho words " Wellington Gymnasium" will bo painted. Mr Carter is the builder, and we may say that the committee are well satisfied with tho way in which tho work has been carried out. Last night a PDBLIO MEETING■was held on the premises, at which some some seventy persons attended. Mr E. Pearce was culled to the chair. The business of the meeting was commenced by Mr A. Baker reading the following BEBOBT OE THE COMMITTEE OF THE "WELUNGTON GYMNASIUM. The committee, appointed at the general meeting held on tho 24th day of March, 1871, to provido suitablo accommodation for the members of this Gymnasium havo now the pleasure of announcing that the object of their appointment has, at length, been accomplished. On enquiry it was soon found impossible to procure for a small rental, any building at all adapted for the required purposo, and the committee saw that, unless they were prepared to build, nothing could be done. Taking this view of the matter they endeavored to obtain as a site cne of the sections of the Eeclaimed Land, aud after considerable delay (occasioned by the salo of tho land by tho Provincial Government to tho City Corporation) they succeeded in getting permission t© erect the building on its present situation. For this permission the committee is indebted to the liberality of tho Mayor and othor members of tho City Council who appear to have recognised the importance of a gymnasium as a public institution, and who, at once, acceded fco tho terms proposed by tho committee, namely, that so long os tho building is devoted to its legitimate purpose, the land may be occpied, free of rent, but that, in tho event of tho Council requiring the land, thoy shall bo afc liberty to purohase tho building at its then value, on giving six months' previous nofcice of such intention. Huving obtained a site on these favorable terms, tho committee determined to raise, by moans of shares, fche capital required for erecting the building. This was readily subscribed by thoso who took an interest in tho undertaking. Plans wero prepared and submitted by Mr Graves, who kindly consented gratuitously to superintend fche works, and tenders were immediately called for. Though these proved somewhat higher than was originally expected, ifc was decided fco proceed according to fche plans, and to meet tho additional expense by procuring an advance on security of the premises. The lowest tender (£400) waß accordingly accepted, and Bteps wore at onco token to carry out tho contract, which has beon completed within the stipulated time, and in a manner which reflects great credit upon the contractor. The dimensions of tho building are 75 feet by 33 feet 6 inches, with a height of 18 foet botween the floor and fche tie beams, and fcho wholo of tho work is of a substantial character. The leanto has been partitioned off into private rooms and a lavatory, and othor conveniences are attached. Gas has already beon laid on, and many of the fittings have been erected j but, as this meeting has been called at tho earliest possible moment, with a view to opening the Gymnasium for tho current season, thero are still many matters of detail which will. require to be attonded to by the incoming committeo. In regard to the financial position of the club, it will be sufficient to say that the sum of £303 has been subscribed by shareholders, who will be entitled to receivo dividends on their shares at a rate of not more than 12£ per centum per annum, and the sum of £120 has beon advanced as a first charge on the building at ihterest aftor the rate of 10 por cent per annum, payablo half yearly, which will result in an annual expenditure of £49 17s 6d, a smaller sum than was formerly paid forthe very inconvenient structure in which fche members used to mept. This amount, and tho annual insurance premium, will bo tho only permanent charges, and will, it is estimated, leave a considerable balance availublo for current expenses and sinking fund. In conclusion, the committee cannot but acknowledge fcho liberality of Mr Graves in placing his professional services at thoir disposal, as architect of the building, nor can they forget what is due to Mr Arthur Baker, honorary secretary, for his indefatigablo efforts to promote tho object in view. Mr 01/LiviEE, who moved tho adoption of tho report, congratulated the mombers of tho institution upon tho success which had attended the efforts of tho committee. The speaker briefly referred to the earlier efforts made towards establishing a gymnasium, in the eoui'9o of which he pointed out the many difficulties wliich had to be overcome before fchey wero enabled to erect the building they wore standing in, and considered — without at all eipeaking on his own behalf — thafc the committeo deserved tho thanks of aU who were interested io the matter. He also dwelt upon tho obligations they had incurred to the City Council, who had given them tho land upon such favorable terms. Ho expressed his conviction that no great period would elapso boforo they would be in a position to make tho building far more comfortable than it is at present. As tho old committeo had now fulfilled all the , funotions for which thoy had been appointed, ho reminded the meeting that it would be their ; duty to make a fresh seleotion in plaoe of thoso who were retiring, and fco appoint if possible . such gontlemen as had a practical knowledgo , of all porfcaining to a gymnasium. With such i a committee ho had. no doubt of the success of [ the institution. In adverting to <sho financial i arrangements of the olub, Mr Ollivier said they : had all been much indobtod to Mr Baker, who > had beon indefatigable in his efforts towards i furthering the object in view. They were also ■ much indebted to Mr Graves, who had gratui-

tously prepared the plans andjuperintended : the erection of the building. : Mr Buchanan seconded the adoption of j the report, and in doing bo congratulated the' j peoplo of Wellington upon the acquisition of such a building to the city. He had no doubt, that by a continuance of the judicious management already displayed tho institution would in future bo made a financial success^ Ho was one who entertained the opinion that ifc would bo a great benefit to the youth of Wellinglon ; and he suggested to the committee thafc as a moans of popularising the institution and extending its field of usefulness they should make it free to strangers visiting the city, the officers of ships of war, and members of Assembly during the session, He knew personally that very many of those latter gentlomen would much enjoy a little of the pleasuro and exercise to be obtained in a gymnasium. The report was adopted by acclamation, and a vote of thanks given to Mr Baker. Mr Bakee objected to all the praise being showered upon him, because if any one amongst tbe committee deserved to be thanked ifc was Mr Ollivier, who, when there was a slight hitch and thoughts of abandoning the whole thing were entertained, infused fresh hope into all of them, aud advanced £50 out of his own pocket, after persuading them to go on, in order that they might be enabled to proceed with the work ; in fact, had it not been for him the building would probably not have been erected at all. On tho motion of Mr M'Tavish, seconded by Mr James, tha old committee were reelected. Mr OLiilViEB then proposed thafc the names of Mr M'Tavish and Mr Cohen be added to the committee, which was agreed to. The committee is, therefore, composed of the following gentlemen :— Messrs Ollivier, Nation, Graves, Salmon, Harcourfc, Daniel, Baker, M'Tavish, Cohen. , Mr Baker was re-elected secretary and treasurer. According to one of the rules of the Club, members are to be balloted for, and one black ball in three to disqualify a candidate ; but the Chairman announced that for the present that rulo would not be insisted upon. On the motion of Mr Wabbubton, it was decided to admit life members on payment of £5. , . Messrs Pearce and Buchanan put their nameß down as subscribers, and several life mombers were enrolled. A vote of thanks to the Chairman terminated the proceedings. .