WELLINGTON WORKING MEN’S CLUB.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XVII, Issue II, 11 July 1896, Page 33

WELLINGTON WORKING MEN’S CLUB.

THE Wellington Working Men’s Club, incorporated under the Friendly Societies’ Act, is situated at the corner of Mercer and Victoria-streets, Wellington. The present office-bearers are : —President, Mr C. F. Worth, J.P. ; Vice-president, Mr J. Griffiths; Treasurer, Mr S. R. Dransfield, J.P. ; Committee, Messrs Robert Scott, J. Cenci, P. Coffey, (J.P., R. W. Mouat, JAtkinson, A. Shackelford and S. J. Flewellyn ; Secretary and Manager, Mr D. Collins. The Working Men’s Club was originally established in 1877. in rooms in Taranaki Place. From thence it removed its office to above the old Opera House, and some time afterward a second change was made to rooms over a shop at the corner of Willis-street and Lambton Quay. Later on a considerable influx of members necessitated larger premises being secured, and the Club was removed to Harding’s corner, Willis and Mannersstreets, opposite the Albert Hotel. Here it was successfully conducted for some years, but the members continued to increase to such an extent that the committee decided, with the approval of the general body of members, to procure a central site and erect a substantial club-house, suited to the requirements of the working men of the Empire City. The fine corner

section opposite the Free Public Library having been leased from the City Corporation, the late Mr Jacobsen, architect, was retained to draw plans, etc. Unfortunately, that gentleman died before he saw the completion of the handsome two-storey building which he had designed. Mr W. Higinbotham was therefore instructed to have the building completed.

The new and commodious premises were opened by the late W. H. Levin, Esq., in July, 1893, and have proved to be everything that could be desired. The main entrance is from Victoria-street; on the left on entering, the office and committee room are situated. The billiard-room, one of the finest in the colony, contains two full-sized tables, one by Allcock, and the other by Wright, Ranish and Co. On this floor the bar, refreshment room, two card-rooms and the chess and draughts room are also to be found. A fine staircase leads to the first floor. The first room on the left of the landing is the library, which contains 5,000 volumes. On the right there is the reading-room, where a large variety of periodicals and papers is regularly kept. Opposite the staircase is the social hall, a magnificent room capable of seating 400 people. This hall is supplied with a convenient stage, and like the rest of the building is illuminated by the electric light. Here the general meetings of the Club are held, and the social en-

tertainments—a great feature of this Club—are held every week or ten days. Members and their families are welcomed to these entertainments, which have proved a great success. Friendly contests among the members in chess, draughts, and billiards, and at cribbage, euchre, etc., are frequently held, as are also tournaments of various kinds. Prizes are often presented by business firms, and these are supplemented by the Committee. The membership now numbers 900.