WELLINGTON BOYS' INSTITUTE.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 463, 23 March 1909, Page 3

WELLINGTON BOYS' INSTITUTE.

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Wellington Boys' institute, held last uight in the Institute Buildings, Arthur Street, was attended by a number of friends of the movement, Mr. J. >>. Poynton presided. Apologies for absence were' received from the Kev. Dr. Gibb, Dr. W alton, and Captain Harley. The annual report submitted by the management committeo was in the nature of a general review of the work of the year. During the winter, it stated, gymnasium classes were conducted by Messrs. Taylor, Armit, and Master i " and a fifth-class Rugby football team and a team for the Junior Boys' Association League wero trained by Mr. 1\ C. Atkinson, ineso teams met with fair success, as also did tho two cricket teams. Other branches of tho physical department were swimming, in which, classes were organised liy Mr. T. Shields, life-saving, in which, instruction was given by Mr. A. Somerville, aud athletic sports, which were held oil Labour Day and proved very successful. In the education department, organised by Mr. D. Patterson, good work was done. fho work carried out, included various classes, and tho organisation and maintenance of an orchestra and choir and library and reading-room. At tho close of the educational year an exhibition was held of work done by members. The work done by the social department was presided over bv Mr. Chas. K. Dick. The various branches of the social side of the institute included the holding of concerts, socials, "spreads," lantern talks, game contests, and a Christmas treat. Go.spel meetings for boys were organised by the religious department. At these meetings there was an average attendance of 3D, wliiio at the Bible classes there was an averago attendance of 21. In connection with the Institute Rifle Cadet Volunteers, good progress was made, uniforms being provided and corps being attached to the Ist Wellington Rifle Battalion. Ten of the boys qualified for and received marksmen's badges during the year. The corps, which is about 45 strong, is commanded by Captain A. J. Harley and Licuts. ]?.- 11. Barnard and F. C. Smith. Other branches of the volunteer movement were the ambulance and first aid classes, I conducted by Captain Harley, and the physical drill teams under Col.-Sergt. Daly and Sergt. Parker. Other work done included tho organising of a fife band, under Mr. Burt, and the finding of employment for boys by the secretary. Mention was made in the report of tho* lack of accommodation which now hampers the institute. Thanks are accorded to all thosewho contributed to the various funds or assisted in providing entertainments, to the honorary instructors of the institute, to the Mayor 'and City Council for the use of the Town Hall, and to 'the press. The balance-sheet showed that receipts during tho year amounted to .£ll7 12s. lid., and the expenditure to_ Jj343 , r >s. 2d., leaving a balance in hand of <£74 7s. 3d. Captain Johnson, who moved the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, said that the swimming baths and gymnasium needed enlarging and the provision of a games' room was also necessary. When they were paid the .£llOO which had been voted them by the City Council as compensation for the old institute buildings it would be very thankfully received, as it would enable them to extend their sphere of usefulness. Mr. C. Cathie, who seconded tho motion, spoke of the g6od work which the institute was doing in training the young. He thought they should not enlarge a work of tins kind unduly in one district, but should endeavour to establish branches all over the city. The motion was carried by acclamation. Officers for tho ensuing year were elected as follow-.-President, Mr. G. A Troup; vicepresidents, Mr. Justice Cooper, Dr. M Laurin, and Mr. C. S. Moore ;'hon. vice-presidents, Mrs. Rhodes and the city members of Parliament; hon. secretary, Mr. D. Patterson; lion, treasurer, Mr. H. Webster; new members of management committee, Professor Kirk, Dr. Jones, Messrs. D. Menzies R, Pearson, and "Wall; hon. physician, Dr. Hogg; hon. auditor, Mr. K. Wilberfoss. . In returning thanks for his elcchon, tha president (Mr. G. A. Troup) referred to the importance of tho work they were doing.in catching tho boys at tho most critical period of their , /\r_ t The chairman of the meeting (Mr. J. \\. Poynton) spoke in like strain. Most I,® said, inherited the instincts of their hunting ancestors, and, if left to themselves, •tended to. run wild. w ci,;„i,w In replv to an invitation, Mr.. T. Shields spoke to 'the meeting on the subject of the bath". The baths, he said, were very good for teaching the'boys to swim, but both the ventilation and the accommodation were madeouate In view of what the institute was doin" in th* way of encourarmvt swiiumin?. he thought that the Citv Council should add something to the sum of .£llOO due to them when it was paid over, , , ~ Votes of thanks to the chairman and the press concluded the meeting.