MECHANIC’S INSTITUTE.

Auckland Examiner, Volume 1, Issue 50, 26 November 1857, Page 4

MECHANIC’S INSTITUTE.

I (To the Editor of the Auckland Examiner.) Sir, —Some remarks of yours upon the objection of the General Committee of the Auckland Mechanic’s Institute to allow their annual Soiree to terminate with a ball, have excited some attention, not only from the bar, but the PULPIT. We have the authority of men who are, and have been, —through the medium of their numerous perio-dicals-great, moralists, viz.the Messrs. ChamWs of Ed in Bro’ in their/’ Papers for the People”. We find the following 1 in an able article npon the rise and progress of the London Mechanic’s Institute:—“Every man laments that these Institutions do not adapt themselves more to the objects of amusement. It is not alone among the working classes that such desires prevail: they exist among all classes ; and the directors of many Institutions have determined to go with the stream, and have introduced many plans that were not originally contemplated. The people must have amusement; and if they do not get it at the Mechanic’s Institute, they wilt go to worse places. Accordingly cheap concerts, soirees, pleasure excursions and balls were introduced. We are not chained to the hand or the head for everlasting labor: intervals of recreation ought to occur in both physical and menial toil. We must not, when assembled together—- “ Sour an’ sulky sit, like auld philosophorums.” So wrote Robert Chambers, than whom no better moral philosopher in “ the laud o’cakes.” Yet our Auckland committee-men who are so modest, that they even “ blush at their own loveliness," stand shock’d at the profanity of introducing a dance amongst some of our most respectable citizens. Old gentlemen should not forget their youthful days, when a trip upon the light fantastic toe was one of their greatest and most innocent amusements. It is selfish for any one to try only to please himself. I hope to see a little more cheap amusement in our Mechanic’s Institute. It is in debt, and I quote again from Chambers who says—“ this is a serious defect, and the members should exert themselves without ceasing until they have sufficient funds. Exhibitions, soirees, bazaars, &c, are perfect legitimate means for accomplishing this purpose.” Laugh and grow fat, is an example that can never be followed at such a Soiree as our last one, where the principal amusement consisted in — “ This—one lolls out his tongue at another And shakes his noddle at his brother." Respectfully yoifrs, M.P. November 24th, 1857.