THE WORKING MEN'S CLUB.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2177, 16 February 1881, Page 2

THE WORKING MEN'S CLUB.

The untoward circumstances which have occurred in connection with this institution will be heard with great regret, because to some extent it acts as a check in its career of usefulness. There is, however, no disaster which does not inculcate some useful lesson of prevention for the future, and this one seems to us to do this very plainly. In all institutions such as the one under notice, it is only right that the officers in charge of the funds should give guarantee for their fidelity. So far as we can gather from the report of the proceedings last night, this does not appear to have been done. If it has not, wo should strongly nrge upon the members the necessity of insisting that whoever is appointed should give these guarantees. It is no reflection on any one being asked to enter into these, as it is a common practice in Banks, mercantile establishments, and the public service. Such a precaution would prevent the occurrence of so painful a state of things as now exists, and further—which is perhaps the most essential point—it would induce a feeling of confidence in the minds of the members of the institution that every necessary precaution had been taken.

HONOR TO WHOM HONOR IS DUE. It is to be regretted, we think, that the ceremony of presenting the medals for long service to the officers and members of the Volunteer Fire Brigade should have been projected in such a semiprivate manner. The presentation is a recognition by the citizens—the only one they can give—of valour. It is not, it is true, for any special act of bravery, but it is for something even higher than this, viz,, the faithful, zealous, and efficient performance of arduous and toilsome duties to their fellow-citizens, extending over a series of years. Such a recognition could not be too publicly presented. Every citizen should have been invited to be present on the occasion, and our leading men should have been there to testify by their presence the cordial and hearty feelings of the public. But, so far as we can see, the Council and the recipients are all that will be present on the occasion. When the medals were given before for the Lyttelton fire it was done in a public manner, so that all could participate, and so especially, we contend, should this have been.