MUTUAL IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 4, Issue 313, 18 July 1879, Page 2

MUTUAL IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION.

The meeting of the above association held on Tuesday evening last, was not so crowded as formerly, but for all that, was very successful. The minutes of tlie previous meeting I were read and confirmed* The Chairman stated that Mr G. Armstrong, jun. had kindly audited the accounts of the former treasurer, and had found them correct, and that there was a balance of £6 18s 9d in hand from the old account. Mr M'Gregor, having made a personal explanation, re-opened tbe subject of " Amusements," pointing out principally the frivolous nature of some of the amusements ot the present day. and the culture that was associated with the drama in the days of Dr Johnson and Garriek. The Chairman then read for Miss Connell, who was unfortunately unable to be present, some very judicious and eloquent remarks, chiefly upon light literature, somewhat inappropriately called fiction. This paper was very warmly received, though the audience would have preferred hearing its contents from the mouth of the writer herself. Mr Scott defended nigger performances, from the attack made upon them by Mr M'Gregor, and shewed that they supply that merriment which is so great a relief to the hard-worked brain. Several other members also made brief, but useful remarks upon the subject under discussion. Mr Kissel pointed out how various amusements were suited to various tastes, dispositions, and circumstances. Mr W. Watkins advocated physical exercise in preference to what are called entertainments. Mr M. Daly suggested a gymnasium as a valuable means of recreation. Mr Brocher advanced the claims of music. Mr Robertshaw spoke of billiards as a highly intellectual game, but one which too frequently has many evil surroundings* Mr Garwood concurred in the remarks made by Mr Scott in favor of laughable performances, testifying to the physical and mental relief he had sometimes experienced in witnessing them. The Rev. W. Doughlas thought that in reasoning upon amusements people often err in speaking of them in the abstract instead of as they are ; that in consequence of the evilif which actually do attend cer tain amusements, it would be wise for young people to refrain from them, and turn to such as are sure to have a bracing effect upon mind and body. He pointed out that, in order to-be useful in life, as we all ought to aim at being, we must prepare - " ourselves by real thought and mental. that if,a. man's life maybe compared tp -a garfnejjif in which he is "habited, dmusemenf "constitutes, or ought to "constitute" the~"ineTe '"fringe'"of it, and does -' not-deserve- that great amount of time and attention so often given to it. Longfellow had this idea in his mind when he wrote — ■' Life is real ; life is earnest." The speaker denied that the improvement in the British drama was (as had been stated) the work of its patrons; he claimed .for men like Whitfield and Wesley the honor of having so raised the minds of the people that the drama was compelled to forsake its vice in order to get support. He considered that novel reading, though perhaps useful as. a reljef td the mind after hard work, was far too much indulged in, as indicated by the loans of the local library. He demonstrated by an amusing illustration that -it is not necessary for the man who wishes-to-elevate the moral and intellectual nature of his fellow beings to descend to their platform -and-elevate! it, but that it is better to stand upon higher ground and call them up, to it. The Secretary remarked -that- one thing to be learnt from the discussion was not so much what amusements are best, jfor. all are not equally available or suitable, but that any amusement becomes a | positive evil when it leads to bad "company; late hours, or neglect of duty. ; • ■ * The Rev. H. Stocker congratulated those' members who had made their first attempts' at public speaking that evening, and felt confident that if their attempts were repeated a few times they would be surprised at their own success. Their efforts had been characterized by at least one great excellence—they had said what they had to say in a few words. In replying tothe various remarks which had been made in connection with his essay, he agreed with Mr M'Gregor as to the frivolity of many stage performances in late years, and accounted forit by the fact that theatres are attended by very much greater numbers of people than formerly, most of whom were less cultivated than the patrons of the stage of a century ago. He thought it unwise to denounce, an amusement as a sip if it is not, however, much ft may be mixed lip with sin, but that young people ; 'should be warned of the risk they run when participating in certain amusements, and of their responsibility-for their proper use. He defended those' who indulge, so extensively in light literature from the cch l - sure of the Rev.'Mr Douglas, for the reason that tbose people not haying had the same education as that gentleman were not capable of that loftier exercise of the mind so enjoyable to him. , '"•■ A vote of thanks was cordially voted to the Rev. H. j Stocker for: his "valuable essay. • ; ; : It was proposed by the Secretary, aud seconded by Mr M. Daly, that the evening

of Tuesday, July 29, be devoted to readings, with criticisms thereon. This was agreed to upon the understanding that the mover and seconder take the lead in the proceedings upon that occasion. Messrs Robertshaw and Scott were requested to be prepared to take part in the discussion upon Mr Wiggins' essay on the ■' Crusades " at the next meeting. The society now has forty members, including several ladies.