WORKING MEN'S CLUB FOR SYDENHAM.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2225, 14 April 1881, Page 3

WORKING MEN'S CLUB FOR SYDENHAM.

A. public meeting to consider the advisability of establishing a Working Men's Club in Sjdeuham was held in the schoolroom, Going's road, on Wednesday night, at eight o'clock. There was a good attendance. His Worship the Mayor (Mr J. T. Brown), in the chair. The Chairman explained thit a deputation representing a number of working men in Sydenham waited upon him a week ago, and asked him to preside at a meeting to be held to consider tho establishment of a Working Men's Club. He consented to be present, and permit his name to be attached to the advertisement, being anxious to forward anything for the interests of the working men. At the satno time he might say that he had no idea on what baßis the club was to be conducted. Persorally he considered that everything depended upon its being based on a proper foundation. In conclusion, he road a letter from Councillor Joyce, regretting his absence through another engagement, and Baying that tho movemont would receive his support, provided such rules were framed as to preclude the possibility of the club becoming a mero drinking shop, and a den for beer drinkers. He advised that if any club was to be started, it should be such as the Mayor of the Borough might feel honored in becoming a member of. [Applause.] The Secretary intimated what was proposed, and read the rules of tho Christohurch club. He also pointed out that many persons hud thought it advisable to establish such an institution in Sydenham, seeing that there were no means of amusement in the borough at night time, and seeing also that numbers of the inhabitants were in the habit of going to Christohurch for such amusement. It was hoped that a Working Men's Club would in this respect supply a want. With regard to the danger of the club degenerating_ into a drinking shop, he thought this might be easily guarded against by proper rules and regulations. He suggested, by the way, that the club might bo made a winter benefit society on the eamelprinciplo as that obtaining in England, and it could also become a labor agency as well, which would prove of great benefit to the working men. He moved "That this meeting approves of the establishment of a Working Men's Club in Sydenham similar to that of Christohurch." Jiir Day seconded the motion. In reply to a question the secretary said he had the offers of five different places for the clnb rooms.

The Chairman read the minutes of a meeting held at Merritt's house on the 7th April, when it was decided to take the matter in hand, and in pursuance of resolutions then passed the presont meeting was called. A discussion ensued for and against the proposal. One gentleman regarded the proposal to start a Working Mon's Club as a step in the right direction. Another was favorable to a club being established if purely on an intellectual basis, that is for tho cultivation of tho mind and increasing pleasant, social intercourse. Mr W. H. Espenett was of the same opinion as the last speaker, and moved an amendment —" That the Working Men's Club should be established entirely on the understanding that it is for intellectual improvement and social enjoyment, but without the addition of liquors of an intoxicating nature, and that it shall not bo opened on Sundays." Mr Powell supported the resolution, remarking that he was the more inclined to speak on behalf of it because it seemed in danger of being overweighted by certain of those present who were known to bo strong advocates of water drinking. He thought it an insult to the working men to say that they were not to be trusted to have their beer lest they should take more than was good for them.

Mr George spoke in favor of the resolution, and pointed out , that the amendment was out of place. Let them first decide on tho club, and then the membes could decide as to whether liquor should be introduced, and frame the rules generally necessary. Mr Webber seconded the amendment, and advocated rtrenuous opposition to tbe inroads of the drink traffic in any shape or form. He pointed to instances of disreputable clubs in other parts of the colony. As to the rules, he showed that the regulations of the Christchurch Club as read by the secretary could be driven through at pleasure and " abused " at will.

Further discussion of a desultory character took place, at the conclusion of which The amendment was put and carried by 27 to 13, a number of those present not voting. A vote of thanks was passed to the chairman.

The Hon. J. T. Fisher made a few remarks, explaining that he had attonded the meeting at the invitation of the Mayor. He had some experience of such clubs as had been proposed to introduce, and he knew that institutions of this class had been very greatly abused. _At the same time, anything haviDg for its object tho benefit of the working man would have his hearty support, but it was the duty of all good men and true to prevent the establishment of anything assuming to be for their benefit which contained elements destructive of their peace and dignity. The meeting then dispersed.