One Result of Prohibition.

Fair Play, Volume I, Issue 11, 13 January 1894, Page 4

One Result of Prohibition.

WANGANUI REVISITED.

{From a correspondent .)

After an absence of four or five years, I found myself again in Wanganui, the capital.of the West Coast of the North Island. I arrived on Christmas - Day, with the intention of spending the holidays in renewing my acquaintance with my erstwhile New Zealand home.

Strolling through the principal thorougfares of this busy little town, I noted with pleasure the many improvements in the way of new buildings, and the better kept condition of the streets and parks since my last visit several years ago. In those days the ever-increasing number of empty houses and shops was a sore subject with the people of Wanganui, but all is now changed, and in place of depression there is a continued erection of new buildings, the piles of which are no sooner laid than the leases are bespoken. In short, the town has a most healthy appearance, though the residents complain of things being somewhat dull and money tight. The cause'of the great improvement in business is doubtless the fact of direct shipment to the Old Country having been established and the erection of freezing works at Castlecliff. The second day of my visit I found myself in Campbell Place, where the main business of the town was done in the earlier days, but in which locahty there is now little more than a few dwelling-houses, and three hotels whose licenses have been taken away by the present Licensing Ccmmitee, the majority of whom are “ Prohibitionists.” Notwithstanding the closing of some seven houses, there still remains a dozen others with licenses all of whom are doing an increased trade. The reason given by the Licensing Bench for closing these houses was that they were not required, but the result has proved the contrary, and the high-handed action of the “Temperance” members of the Bench has resulted in the creation of a couple of Working Men’s Clubs —one of which, “The Cosmopolitan,” I discovered to be situated in this same Campbell Place.

While debating as to whether I should intrude myself on the chance of finding some friend to introduce me, I was slapped on the back and saluted with “ How are you, old man ?” and looking round discovered my old acquaintance “ Bill Trimble,’’ one of the best known and most popular fellows in Wanganui. “ What, Trimble, you still here; how are you, old chap ?” We at once began exchanging questions and gleaning scraps of news one from the other, and after a few minutes conversation my friend asked me to go into the Club, and he would show me round in his capacity of Secretary. I accepted the invitation with pleasure, and going down a pathway nicely planted with trees, entered the Cosmopolitan Club. Passing through a neatly furnished hall, lat once went upstairs to the Secretary’s “ sanctum,” and having taken a kindly proffered seat began to subject my friend to a series of questions as to the why and wherefore of the Club. ♦“What is the history of this innovation of Working Men’s Clubs in Wanganui ?—they are a new departure since my time."

“ Well, their institution was more or less an accident as the idea was merely an outcome of what was considered the unjust action of the Licensing Bench in not only closing several hotels blit also ordering allhouses to be closed at 10 o’clock.” “ Then, as a matter of fact, the Clubs are a demonstration of , public opinion against the high handed action of the Prohibitionist party here ?” “ Well, perhaps to a certain extent that was so, but it was generally felt that the hotels which were closed were really and truly required, not only by the floating population, but also by the residents who did not care to use the first-class hotels for. the purpose of obtaining casual refreshment.” “I suppose a representative body took action in order to obtain a charter ?”

“Yes, but curiously enough their request was at once refused by the Colonial Secretary. A few weeks later, however, application was made from another quarter for a charter

in respect to a similar Club in another part of the town, and this was granted. The petitioners in the first case at once reapplied and the promise of a charter was obtained. A strong committee was then formed and a membership of 100 members obtained. Steps were taken to secure the lease of these buildings and the Club was opened at the end of May last with a roll of 150 financial members. We have now over 300 on the roll.” “ And all this has been accomplished in a little over eight months ?” “ Yes, and everything is progressing, so satisfactorily, that We hope to see a total of 400 members by the one of our financial year in March next.” • “And of what class is yonr membership ?” “As the name of the Club implies, thoroughly Cosmopolitan, including as it does our lawyers, doctors, the principal business people and settlers of the town and district, as well as bona fide working men—the only sine-qua-non, being respectability.” . “ This being a comparatively small community I suppose you have no difficulty in the nomination and election of members ?”

“ No, that matter is simple enough—each applicant has to be nominated and seconded by two members, and his name is then placed on the notice board in the bar. If there is any ob-' jection to the applicant’the same is reported to the Committee,' who at once recommend the sponsors to withdraw the-candidate before the balloting takes place. By this system black-balling has so far been prevented. No, we have not as yet had to expel any member. On the whole I consider the Club to have, proved a benefit to the place. I will presently show you over the building and you can judge for yourself of its suitability for Club purposes.” “Has the Club affected the hotel trade at all?”

“ I don’t think so, as those who frequent the Club have not been in the habit of going to the hotels.. Most of our members use the Club for the purposes of reading and social re-union. Besides the fact that most of our hotel proprietors are members goes to prove that they do not think the Club will hur* their business.”

“ And, financially, is the Club doing well ?” * “ Extremely well, considering the youth of the institution. At the half-yearly meeting in October last we showed a credit balance of £117; and this, after deducting £lO for depreciation. Since then we have spent £IOO in furnishing and before long shall invest a like amount in the fitting up of a social hall.”

“ I suppose the well-being of a Club of this kind depends largely on the custodian and his wife ?” “You are right there, and I think the Club is most fortunate in having Mr. and Mrs King in charge. They take as great an interest in the Club as if it were their own house. We are very fortunate indeed in this respect. Now come and see' the budding.” • -

Mr. Trimble then showed me round the building. In the upstairs portion there was a large card-room most luxuriously furnished with sofas and armchairs,' and containing six round card tables. This room is mostly used on Saturday nights When a large number of members generally turn up. On the same floor is a smaller sitting-room and also the reading-room, where the daily and weekly papers besides the leading periodicals and illustrated papers are to be found. Then there is the secretary’s room as well as a bathroom and lavatory. Downstairs, on the ground floor, is a comfortably furnished commercial-room and the bar. The billiard-room, which is one of the best on the coast, is a lofty apartment lit by a lantern,- the table being one of Allcock’s latest improved makes with patent cushions. On this same floor is the largest room in the premises, which- the' Club intends to turn into a social hall' for entertainments, &c. The bar, which struck me as rather small for the place, is neatly fitted up and stocked with the best of everything in the way of liquor, the committee evidently being of opinion that it is the best policy to get first-class brands rather than run the risk of giving dissatisfaction by parsimony. On the whole,-1 was' much struck with the -evident success of the Cosmopolitan Club, and take the opportunity of wishing it every prosperity and thanking the. officials for their courtesy to me as a visitor,