The Proposed Maori Club.

Fair Play, Volume I, Issue 20, 17 March 1894, Page 9

The Proposed Maori Club.

The proposition to inaugurate a Maori Club on the linos laid down by the secretary and manager, Mr. John B. Blaine, should meet with universal approbation by the public, and with special assistance from the Natives themselves. There is no doubt but that the Natives coming to Wellington have in the past been mercilessly bled some of the hotels at which they have stopped, and the scheme to give them some general rendezvous, where they can discuss matters both political and social, is certainly an excellent idea. The proposed institution is to be conducted on the following lines. It is to be formed into a company with a capital of £SOOO divided into 5000 shares of one pound each, payable as follows : —los. per share on application and 10s. on allotment. The prospectus explains the object of the institution in brief, clear language, and we cannot do better than quote from it:

“ This Company has been formed for the purpose of establishing in the city of Wellington a Club house for the use, and convenience, and benefit of its members and then- wives and families, whenever they have occasion to vis't Wellington. The members will be exclusively confined to Macris and their descendants, who may be life, honorary or ordinary members, candidates for admission to be over 18 years of age. The Club is being promoted for the purpose of purchasing a house and land in the city of Wellington, or land on which to build a club house and offices, whereby its members will find on their arrival in the city, a home during their sojourn there, and thereby escape falling into the hands of evil persons. The Club will be conducted by a committee to be elected annually by its members.

Objects. 1. The Club will be a centre or meeting place for the members when in Wellington, where they can meet one another and

discuss questions affecting the interests of the Maori race, unite and promote goodfellowship, and proteot the interests of the Natives generally. 2. House. It is proposed to light the Club house with electricity, and have ' a large dining room, business, reading, billiard and card rooms, and sleeping accommodation for 70 members and their families, &Ibo bath rooms with hot and cold water, and all the necessary oonvenienoies and comforts of a first-class home. The reading room will oontain all Native and other papers, books, and magazines. 8. It is proposed to supply the members with food and liquors of the best quality at moderate prices. 4. The Club will furnish all sorts of legitimate amusements and recreation for its members, which will consist of billiards, cards, drafts, dominoes, and suoh other amusements as the committeo shall think fit. The annual subscription for each member will be £l."

As will be seen from the above the scheme is a most desirable one, and as might have been expected has met with hearty co-operation and support. A provisional directorate has been formed, consisting of tho following gentlemen:—Major Kemp* Wanganui; Wi Pere, M.H.R,, Gisborne; T. Pratt, M.H.R.* Waikakowaiti; Hone Heke, M.H.R., Bay of Islands; H. T. Mahupuku, Martinborough; Mahu Kupu, Wanganui; Wi Hu tana, Martinborough; Ropota To Aa, M.H.R., Otoki, Wi Paruta, Waikanae; Henaro Tomoana, Hastings; Wi Paraotano, Omahu, and Mr. T. R. Ellison has boon appointed solicitor. Tho prime mover in tho founding of the institution is Mr. John B. Blaine, secretary and manager,, whoso portrait wo publish above. Mr. Blaine was born at Clive, Napier, Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand, in 1859, and afterwards, with his family, removed to Wellington. In 1874 lie wos engaged as coachman to Mr. W. B. Rhodes and later by Messrs Hastwell and McKorrovv, as manager of their stablos at Greytown until 1881. He then accepted employment as engine driver in a sawmill for Mr. J. Cotter. He was for a time prospecting also as a minor with Mr. McKay, Government geological expert, and has also had considerable experience as Vet. Surgeon. After some tiino ho entered Mr. J. C. McKerrow and Co.’s employment as stock and station* agent and when Mr. J. C. McKerrow retired from business lie started on his own account as a land and labour agent and continued as such until ho sold out to Messrs Mather and Co., Featherston street, Wellington, in 1898. A meeting of Natives and promoters of tho club was culled a few nights ago, and during the evening Mr. Blaino expressed himself as follows:—“Gentlemen, —l have come before you with an idea, that is to say, that during the time I have been in Wellington I have noticed a great want of the Natives, and that is, a place for their own accommodation, where they could live at comfort and ease as if they were at home, and comforts and benefits to them and their families could be enjoyed whenever they had occasion to visit Wellington. Candidates for admission to be over 18 years of age. Members will find on their arrival in the city a homo daring their stay, and escape from falling into the hands of evil persons. The Club will be a central mooting place when they come to Wellington, and they can meet one another and discuss questions affecting tho interests of tho race and promote good fellowship between themselves. The committee will furnish all sorts of amusements in the club for the members and their families. The annual subscription shall be £l." After the promoter, Mr. J. B. Blaine, addressed the natives a number of them agreed to take shares in the club. One native chief of the Wairarapa, Mr. H. T. Mahupuku, asked for one hundred shares to start with. The club is to be called The Maori Club, Wellington, Limited,” with a capital of £SOOO divided into 5000 shares of £1 each.