THE BOYS' INSTITUTE.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1549, 19 September 1912, Page 2

THE BOYS' INSTITUTE.

» SPEECH BY THE GOVERNOR. Tho Wellington Boys' Institute, in Arthur Street, which is quietly doing a great deal of good work among the youth of the city, was en fete last evening, when it was honoured with a visit from his Excellency the Governor, who ever since his arrival in New Zealand has manifested a warm interest in tho work. A guard of honour, consisting of the Institute. Cadets, 00 strong, under Captain vSimeon, was drawn up before tho Institute buildihg, and as his Excellency alighted from his motor-car (accompanied by Captain Estcom-t, A.D.C.) the Tramwavs Band played tho Nationnl Anthem. After inspecting the cadets and band, lord Islington was escorted to tho social hall bv Mr. Geo. Troup (president.! nnd the. members of the executive' committee, and ift the. presenco of an audience that more than filled the hall the president extended to his Excellency a \ery heart}- welcome. In doing so he expressed his great sense of obligation to his Excellency for the honour done to the Institute on (hat and many other former occasions. Since he had last visited tho Institute thev had lost their director, but were now on the point of making a permanent appoint-ment,-but in the meantime the work had vigorously proceeded, and to-dnv it wis being carried-on-as rigorously-and efficiently as ever it had been. 'The educative «-ork was being carried on by University students,, who wore members of tho Christian Union in connection with the Victoria College. Mr. Troup expressed regret that the new building had not yet been started, but they were not without hope that the foundation stone would be laid before his Excellency's departure. It was with the deepest regret that they had heard of his Excellency's projected departure from the Dominion.

At the call of the president, three hearty cheers for his Excellcucv, which were given 'with' great enthusiasm." His Excellency expressed his thanks and appreciation for the kind manner in which-Mr. Troup had spoken of him, and for the cordial mnnnor in which ho had been greeted. From his very earliest days in the Dominion ho had taken a real and lively interest in the institute and the mombors of it. He dwelt on the good an institute ,so strongly and well established could do in this developing city for Die boy.?. In paying a warm tribute to the Executive .Committee, his Excellency said that it was not content with the activities of days gone by, but were always seeking ways and means of broadening out in their work. Ho 1 had already seen what tho boys could do in Swedish drill. Ho had been struck and impressed with the display given recently at the Rifle Association's entertainment in the Town Hall. Nothing . had been better, performed during the evening. (Applause.) The exhibition reflected the greatest credit on the officer who had trained them (Captain Simeon), and the boys who had responded so well to that training. (Applause.) He pointed out to the boys that whilst the Institute was of the greatest value to them in the physical and mental training it offered, they could, as they grew up and went out ■into the world, lie of value to the Institute They, may not at present realise, as those older than themselves did, tho enormous valuo of tho influence and atmosphere of life under the shadow of tho Institute. It was going to ho of the very greatest advantago to them in the future, and they should learn to regard it as

old public school boys did their schools, and feel proud that tho generations growing up behind them were being offered an Institute which they had not only helped to build up, and had not only been kept up to a high standard by (lie boys of Iho present generation, but one that was still doing good work when they had gone, out and become men. (Applause.) Mr. Troup had said Hint ho regretted that he (Ins Excellency) was leaving New Zealand. Ho would also regret leaving the Dominion, and would regret leaving many kind friends in New Zealand, and the many associations and institutions with which he had been brought into rout net during the two and a half years he had been here. But lie could assure the-j thai (hern was as good fish in the sea as ever came out of it, and they would get from Hie Old Country just as good Governors in the future n.s ever in the past. (A voice: "Query!")—and was sure than the gentleman who was to occupy his position would take an active and kindly inlercsl in the affairs of the Institute. Ho was very pleased <o be. present, and hoped that notwithstanding 'the executive's excellent principles of economy, jil. would still be his privilege to lay tho foundation stone of (ho new Institute. (Loud applause.) At the conclusion of his Excellency's speeoh, an adjournment was made to Hie gymnasium, where a couple of lightweights put up three spirited rounds in an improvised boxing ring,' a cadet squad gave a display of Swedish drill, and two teams indulged in a basket-lmll match. Various games were played upstairs, and his Excellency took part in- a ping-pong match, in which he displayed no little skill. On the whole, a most enjoyable evening was spent.