A WORKING MEN’S CLUB.

Evening Star, Issue 3590, 25 August 1874, Page 2

A WORKING MEN’S CLUB.

A meeting was held last night at the Athenmum, to consider the advisability of establishing a Working Men’s Club and Mechanics’ Institute. The Alayor presided, but the attendance was small, there being only about sixty persons present. The Chairman mentioned the circumstances under which the question about to be discussed was brought forward. Mr Larnach, a few weeks ago, hud forwarded him a letter in which he intimated his intention to give LSO, and that of Air J. Clarke, of Victbri|, to give LIOO, towards the establishment 6t s.ijgh a club ; also that the ouly conditions sought W be imposed by the donors were that, as soon as an equal amount should bo subscribed, Air Clarke’s cheque and his (Mr Larnach’s) might be made use of; that, immediately L3OO was in hand, trustees should te appointed to control the funds ; that the L3OO be applied towards the purchase of a suitable freehold site for the Club, and that the same be neither sold nor mortgaged; that neither wines nfir spirits be used or admitted to the Club, He (the Chsi%j>n>‘lj*d written to the secretary of a similar Club in Alelbourne, asking for a copy of their rules and rggula tions, which might be accepted as » guide to those who took part in theestabUshment of the proposed Club. Mr Johnston said he had suggested that a requisition should be framed asking the Alaytjr to call a meeting, in order that measures might b«J taksa--£o give practical effect to it, and he had managed to -get pbe requisition signed by about 100 persons," Tfiefresolution he would move was as follows - “That this meeting cordially accepts the offer of Messrs Clarke and Larnach, in connection with the establishment of a Working Men’s Club and Mechanics’ Institute, and desires to express its thanks to those gentlemen for their liberality.” He thought that s.bch a club in Dunedin was much required, and such an institution would, he felt convinced, be a f gfeat benefit to the working classes, " * " } Air J. P. Miller seconded the motion. Dr Bakewell said ho was opposed to the proposal to prohibit the sale of intoxicating liquors in connection with the Club. He could not see any reason why working men should not be trusted, in a c ub of their own, to take drink, as well as any other classes of the community.—(Heir.) He was confident that they would not get the intelligent, the advanced, and the indepe. dent workingmen to jofn ’a dub, when, as members, they wofi.d be subject to pevictions tpwhieh the members of other clubs were"nofr subjected. He moved, as an amendment, “ Tl/at this > meeting, while thanking Aleasrs Clarke and Larnach very cordially for the kind offer they have made, beg leave to respectfully decline it, on the conditions named in their letter:”—(Applause.) The motion proposed by Mr Johnston was carried by a large majority, only five persons voting against it.

Mr H. S. FiSh, jun., moved That, in the opinion of this meeting, the establishment of a' Vt orking Mon’s Club and Me chauics’ Institute *wiif supply a long-felt want in this City, and tpuil to the eleyatiou > of the working classes ; and thfa meeting’ pledges itself to use its utmost endeavors to. carry out the aarne. - ’ He remarked that the working classes had now an opportunity oi 1 improving themselves mentally, such at they' had never had before m tnis City. Thert ■ could uot be less than 2,000 artizans of different crafts in Dunediu, and each one of them would, he thought, give 10s towards the undertaking. If the workmen them ' selves raised that amount, no doubt- an equal sum would be subscribed by persons occupy different positions in the City. He' thoroughly agreed with the proposition to abstain f rhur theeaje of ipto.dcatinp liquors. ■ To allow such a thing Wdid' d‘estfcb.ythe yety essence of the undertaking, and reduce tue i institutb to thb position of a commoajftap-. room.—{Hear, hear.) ;

Mr J, B. Thomson seconded the resolution with pleasure. There were many young men in the Old » oilntry that had risen to positions of eoiiur-ttce who were lifted on to the first step of the ladder of fame by their attendance at classes and lectures. Mr A. Bout said when the affair was first mooted he understood it was to be a place that would enable tradesmen and others to enjoy themselves, instead of going to publichouses. Ihe sort of place they wanted was where young men could enjoy themselves, instead of frequenting public-houses : a place where they could have a game at cards or billiards, and so forth. In Glasgow two men could go to a Working Men’s Club and have a game of billiards for a penny ; and here they should surely get as much for threepence. That was the sort of institution he would support. Mr Millkr considered that one of the principal objects of the club should be the discussion of social and political questions, provision for which should be made, so that such questions could be discussed away from public-houses. Mr Shaw said it appeared to him that there were three things that stood forward as fundamental The first was spontaneous action on the part of those for whose benefit the club was to ba ea ablished ; the second was the question as to allowing intoxicating drinks t > be dispensed on the premises ; and the third, the character of the institute. The question as to the sale of intoxicating liquors in connection with the institution was undoubtedly a difficult one to deal with; and, as regardedjthe third question, he was of opinion that it would be absolute waste of time and money to attempt to establish a second Athecseam.—{ pplause.) Mr Fish amended bis resolution by inserting the words “of a Mechanics’ ” before the words “ and Working Men’s Institute,” and his motion was put and carried unanimously. Mr Robin moved the following resolution : “That, in order to give effect to the resolutions just passe 1, and also to render the donations of Messrs Clark and Larnach available, a committee be formed for the purpose of collecting subscriptions, and also to obtain as much information as possible as to the working of similar institutions, and to report to a future meeting ; such committee to consist of his Worship the Mayor, and Messrs Butler, Bowen, H Muir, W. Nets, J. H. Mider, T. Condon, W. Mercer, A. Bart, A. Sligo, A. Lees, i‘. Johnston, J. B. Thompson, James Gore, D. R. Hay, Allen, W. Wishart; Councilors Walter and H. S. Fish, and the mover, with power to add to their number,” ■ Mr C. tt. Chapman seconded th® resolution. Vlr M’Laren moved, and Mr Bower seconded, the foU 'wing as an amendment; - “That, in the opinion of this meeting, the committee should be chosen by themselves. ” —Only two hands were held up in favor of it, ana jthe motion was put and carried. Mr Burt suggested that an advertisement should be inserted in the daily papers, asking the different trades to appoint any persons whom they might wish to act on the committee. Votes of thanks to the Mayor and Mr Johnston concluded the proceedings.