FUTURE CITIZENS

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 876, 23 July 1910, Page 6

FUTURE CITIZENS

ADDRESS BY LORD ISLINGTON. BOYS' INSTITUTE. His Excellency tho Governor (Lord Islington) visited the Boys' Institute last night, addressed a crowded gathering of attentive listeners in tho hall, and inspected the different branches of the institute's activities. A guard of honour was furnished by the Boys' Institute Cadets, and his Excellency was .welcomed on arrival by the officials of tho Business Men's Committee. Tho Rev. Dr. Gibb, who presided at tho meeting, was supported by his Honour Mr. Justice Cooper, the Mayor (Mr. T. M. W.ilfbrd) and Mrs. Wilford, Mr. G. F..C. Campbell, Mx. John Duthie, Dr. Maciaurin, Mr. A. Gray, and other prominent citizens. Apologies for absence woro received from tho Chief Justice (Sir Robert Stout) and others. Mr. G. A. Troup, president of tho institute, briefly welcomed his Excellency. He also alluded, amid applause, to the recent generous gift to the institute- by.a lady who desired to remain ' . HIS EXCELLENOrS SPEECH. His Excellency,. who was received with loud and prolonged applause, said that it was with particular and genuine, not merely formal, pleasure- that ho had accepted the invitation to visit the institute, because ho could think of no institution that appealed to Mm more strongly than one of such a character. He had knowu intimately many similar' institutions in London auil other parts of England; and could speak from close experience of the splendid and lasting beneEts. to. the boys who entered their doors, and to the country in which they were established,.and,, indeed, to the whole Empire. During his stay in the Dominion, Lady Islington and himself would take great and particular pleasure in doing what was in their power to aid and support such ad-, mirablo movements. (Applause.) Her Excellency, to whose arrival lie. was eagerly looking forward, always held a very warm corner in her heart lor littlo boys, as he hoped they would, on subsequent occasions, discover for them-, selves. The warmth of that feeling was not the less because it had been denied them hitherto to have a boy of their own.. . ■ .•..'•■•"' Institute's Work and Funds. His "Excellency then spoke. very appreciatively of the work .of the; gentle-1 Men responsible for carrying on the institution.' The recreative, instructive, | and'social work .administered by them placed the community under a deep debt of gratitude to .them. He be-' lived there, was practically no leisurea clasa in Wellington, and all this varnablo work was done by those numerous gentlemen in their spare time, voluntarily/ gratuitously, - and unostentatiously.. (Applause.) The work of the institute was a valuable. supplement to the good work being'done by the primary schools. The boys could feel that they camo there in. their out-of-school hours, without ' forfeiting the leisure which they, held precious. No doubt, if., the institute had more funds, the coinmittee could easily fined opportunities of extending ita usefulness. Ho did not think the £174, which, according to last vear's report, was the amount collected' in private subscriptions, ■showed that tlie city fully realised the scopo and' usefulness of the institution. Bo trusted "that an -indulgent' public would iorgive him, if, thus early in His sojourn in New Zealand, he ventured to express ■'an earnest hope that thosu who desired to lend a helping hand to voW boys would, realise that they, could'not do better than give 10s. or a, pound a.year to tho funds of tho, Wellington Boys' Institute. (Applause.) This was tho first time he had committed the heinous -crimi: of benumb,, and ho had done, it without any hint from the committee, but solely on his. own responsibility, and because he realised' from his -past experience the .immense benefits and merits of an institution such as that. (Applause.)

: Advice to the Boys. Addressing himself nest to the boys, his Excellency congratulated them on being members of such an admirable institute and having so many kind friends to help them and take. an interest m their welfare. The earlier in We they could set themselves.a high standard, tho easier, they would find it, ■ astho years roUed on to live up to it: They were learning true citizenship—a term that covered many admirable qualities, by no means tho least of these being good manners. .This would stand them in'good stead as they grew up. Ill© well-mannered boy: was generally chivalrous, and chivalry was. one of the highest of qualities. Good citizenship mlant patriotism; -They were' being taught to take pride in the splendid Dominion they, were living in,, with all its vigorous and vital aspirations, and to do their share hi promoting its-ad-vancement. To love New Zealand was also to lovo the Empue, with whoso strength and power those of ISew Zealand were bound up. (Applause.) 1 wish you;" concluded his Lxcellency, "sincerely and from my heart, courago and perseverance in the lives boforo you.''These are the qualities,that will ensure your future success. It will boby the application of these qualities that you will become the best custodians of your Dominion and tho best supporters of tho British Empire." (Much applause.) OTHER SPEAKERS. Mr. C. P. Coloneus (secretary) thauked his Excellency for his visit and address, and for accepting the position of patron -of the institute. The aU Mayor (Mr. Wilford, M.P.) urged .the tioys to live clean, courageous lives, and be patriotic New Zealandersi. (Applause.) ■..'. ■ , «Mr John Duthie, who, the chairman mentioned,'had known the institute from its beginnings, recalled the tact that the old.institute, which existed before the present one, had. been closed on account of the. City Corporation takin«'the land it occupied for tram- ' way extension. , Unfortunately, tho institute was not compensated. Mr. Duthio.fiirther spoke of the great valiio •>f the institute in teaching those habits of industry and application which wore so essential to success in. -lite. (Applause.) ' . , , UhiKing cheers wore given tor tho Governor and for "the lady whose name we don't know. A musical programme was rciulorcd, ami tlmrc was an > tit-cresting' display of conjnring. Songs and choruses_ woro given by Boy Scouts connected with tho institute, who also gave an exhibition of knotting, and took part with the crtdets in an ambulance display. An adjournment' was afterwards maiio to the swimming bath, where Messrs. T. Shields, A. A. Sommcrvillc, and G. Ncill showed how the boys are taught swimming nnd lifo-saving. • A demonstration in camp-fire and hut-building was'given in the gymnasium, and the educational work in the adjacent buildinc was also inspected. 'Ihis includes: Arithmetic (Mr. J. S. Martin), English (Mr E. Watt), history and geography (Mr AV. 0. Nicol). drawing and lettering (Mr. T. C. Crawford). Lord iElinfrton witnessed all Un-so activities, and was conducted over the premises by the president and officials. He showed great interest in the different branches of work and recreation as carried on at the institute