YOUNG MEN’S CLUBS.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2558, 20 June 1882, Page 3

YOUNG MEN’S CLUBS.

Yesterday afternoon a meeting was held in the Municipal Chambers, the Mayor in the chair. The audience included the Primate, the Dean, Canon Ootterill, the Bevs. Messrs T. Flavell, O. Fraser, H. O. M. Watson, W. Packer, and W. S. Bean, and Messrs Marsh, H. E. Webb, O. P. Hulbert, and H. D. Meares, At Mr Plavell’s suggestion Mr W. H. Shaw was chossn secretary pro tern. The Mayor spoke of the increasing larrikinism which now terrified many people obliged to bo out at night. The Primate said such clubs were general in England, rooms being provided for tea and coffee, games of recreation, and reading. The Dean said, that in some instances the youths were almost driven from unattractive homes into the streets to bad courses and wanton mischief. A central club might be formed with several branches. He moved—- “ That it is desirable that an effort should he made to provide healthy occnpation and amusement for the evenings of the young men of Christchurch and suburbs [who are engaged in shops and factories, and other like employment*].” The Eev. Mr Flavell, in seconding this, said it should be clearly understood the club was not bring formed for young gentlemen, such as bank clerks, who could themselves form a “ mercantile ”or “ junior ” club. He deprecated the use of the term “ larrikin.” The object was to prevent the errand boy and the apprentice from falling into the class to which reference had been made.

The Bev. Mr Watson thought it very undesirable to label the movement with any cross names.

The Rev. Mr Fraser dwelt on the refining influence of music as an adjunct to the club’s attractions.

Mr John Lee’s experience had taught him that rowdyism was to be found in all classes, the root of the evil springing from illdirected education. He thought boys should not be allowed to congregate in greater numbers than three at a time after nine o’clock p.m. If so assembling, they should be punished as misdemeanants. [Laughter.] The Hev. Mr Gilbert said he should not like it to go forth to the public as being the opinion of the meeting that the larrikin element emanated solely from the working classes.

The Bev. Mr Williams thought it scarcely advisable to have the movement identified with the religious element, and Mr Webb spoke to the same effect. At the Mayor’s suggestion the bracketed words were omitted. The resolution was then carried.

Messrs E. Levy and James Bell alluded to an evening hour being convenient for the working classes to attend meetings. On the Rev. Mr Gilbert’s motion, seconded by Mr T. 8. Lambert, it was resolved—“ That a committee be appointed to consider the best means to be adopted, and to report at a future date.’’

A committee of a dozen gentlemen was selected, and the proceedings terminated. A meeting of gentlemen favorable to the formation of a Young Men’s Olub in the St. Albans district was held last evening in the Merivale schoolroom, Papanui road. The Rev. T. Flavell presided and stated the object of the meeting, suggesting that the proceedings should be of a conversational turn. After some discussion a series of resolutions were carried to the following effect: — “ That a club be formed to be called the St. Albans Recreation Olub j that all between the ages of twelve and eighteen shall bo eligible for membership ; that the subscription shall be 6d per month ; and that the inaugural meeting shall take place in Merivale schoolroom on July 3rd, when an attractive entertainment will bo presented, and an address delivered setting forth the objects of the club; that all willing to join shall meet at the same place the following Thursday evening; that the Revs. T. Flavell, H. Olasson, B. A. Mortimer, J. Bnller, W. Morley, J. D. Ferguson, Messrs Hobday, jun., and F. W. Isitt, be a committee to inaugurate the club,” an equal number of committeemen being subsequently chosen from the club to act with them. This was all the business.