WELLINGTON BOYS' INSTITUTE

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1398, 26 March 1912, Page 2

WELLINGTON BOYS' INSTITUTE

Wo have received a ropy of the reports of Hie work of Hio Wellington IJoys , Inslitnle for Iho yoar ending Dfuoiiibt>r, 1!)11. Tho aim of (ho institute is to help newly boys, to lake (hem off the str<«ls, nml to suYrmiml lliom with influences Unit will mould character. To this end every hryltliy oiiUct »f n boy's nature is catered for. Tho extent of liio work is still limitI'll by tlifl aecoinnimlntiim. While much has been done, tlicro is still much more to do; for a great many more boys could bn inllui-nceil were lliu buildings larger. It is hoped lliat this defect will soon bo remedied. The year dosed with a credit balance. Tho annual meeting will bo held in the Institute, liuilding in Arthur Street to-uighl, at 8 ]i.m. 'J'lni report stales:—The year Ims not been mi ovciill'nl one. .After the arduous building campaign conducted during tho previous year, matters have been allowed to so morn quiotly. The work amongst the boys has been proceeded with on much the same, lines as in past years, ns will be seen from tho (Mailed statement following. During (ho year tho secretary, Mr. ('. ]'. Coloiieus, resigned from tho position of secretary, nnd in his place Mr. ('. K. Dick wns temporarily appointed. In view of the extension of the -work at an early date, it was considered wise not to appoint ii permanent secretary until such titno as our future policy was being entered upon. During tho yenr 252 boys hayo been in attendance at the institute buildings. Some, of these have been attracted by i(s plivsical adjuncts, and some by its social life; wliilo others (a minority, no doubt) have lx'en altracted by the reading room, library, and educational classes. It is hoped also that while these things may linv« dnwn ninny boys to atIclul, that their spiritual impulses have been quickened by their connection with tho institute. There is reason to believe this has been so in many cases. Tho attendance has, on tho whole, kept up very well during tho year. Towards tho end of tho year, instead of falling off, it increased. While the committee have no intention of anticipating (he. future to the neglect of the present, it is nevertheless incumbent that (ho plans of the institute should bo laid some time nhend, so Hint it may bo prepared for extension when (ho tiino comes. The work of flic present institute so far has been safely piloted thiuugh two stages. During fho first, covering a. period of five years, tho institute had no heme of its own, and was dependent for housing accommodation on tho Mount' Cook School Committee, During tho second stnge, covering a period also of fivo yenrs, the present accommodation has been available. The size, of (ha building only has limited the extent of the work. In unolher year's time the committee hopes to enter upon a third stnge, when it will take steps to erect the. new building in Tnsiiian Street. The position at present is Hint all the money for tho proposed building is in hand, but, seeing that ft probable loss will havo t,o be met in boarding the boys, the committee wishes to provide against this, and has determined not to proceed with the building until a further sum of £2"M has been provided. Tho policy of the institute in tlje past to keep clear of debt will ha rigidly adhered to, and (he new building will iiot be commenced until tho scheme (•an bo safely financed. At present tho institulo possesses n magnificent site, free of oil encumbrances, and without any restrictions, donated by a, generous lady of Ibis city, on which to erect the new building, and a sum of over .£SOOO with which to build. For the additional sum required appeal is now being made. As will be seen fiom tho treasurer's strilcnicnt of receipts nnd expenditure, the committee has ngt'.in finished tho year with a small balance. After the building fund campaign, it was thought inadvisable, to njniii approach many of those who lmd contributed to flint fund. (.'jnse<|Uenll,7 Iho number of subscribers wns not quite so largo this year as formerly.