The Motueka Star PUBLISHED TUESDAYS AND FRIDAYS. “Te Ora Mota Iwi” FRIDAY, JULY 11, 1902.

Motueka Star, Volume II, Issue 95, 11 July 1902, Page 3

The Motueka Star PUBLISHED TUESDAYS AND FRIDAYS. “Te Ora Mota Iw i” FRIDAY, JULY 11, 1902.

A number of members of the Nelson Young Men’s Institute arrived in Motueka on Wednesday last -for the purpose of giving a gymnastic exhibition. The affair was a great sucress and wai highly appreciated by the audience. The object of the visit was to encourage the establishment of a gymnasium for young men, and when it is stated the members of the Nelson Institute not only paid their own expenses but handed over the net proceeds of the entertainment, amounting -to nearly s/:ven pounds, as the nucleus of a fund to purchase the machines and paraphernalia to e pi ip a club, we feel sure iesideuts will agree with us that their public spirited action is both commendable and deserving of recognition. The idea of starting an institute and gymnastic club has been discussed fir some time past. It lias been left for our neighbors over the Bay to lend a helping hand in the inception of such a club, and it now* rests with our youths to sec >nd the efforts of the j-oung men who came over, by taking up the project and bringing it to a successful The club will be beneficial from a muscular standard, and the recreations which are adjuncts to such an institution, namely games of skill, boxing, the use of singlesticks, etc., will serve to occupy many spaie and otherwise profitless evenings. The project might, wit* advantage, be taken up by the local eleigymen, teachers, and others who have the welfare of the rising generation at heart. The gym lastic classes for young people, started some time ag > by Miss Deck, have become popular atrd are well attended ; there is no reason why a gymnasium for youths should not be a success* In c> n versation with two members of the Nelson I institute, Messrs S. Jeuuons and Stephens, we elicited some facts which may be a guide to those who think "of associating themselves with the movement. The Nelson: Institute was started, in a small way, about twelve years ago. TuC membership then was * >mall, but year after year the roll lias increased uutil now there are severity senior members (over sixteen years of age) and 25. juniors. The members pr.ictica twice a .week, the younger B|L ones first and the adults later on, the classes being distinct. The. club has gradually added: to its appliances and is now well found. There is a room for reading aud letter writing, and another for those who enjoy a game of c less* draughts, etc. Sociability is tin us. engendered and at stated periods public exhibitions, similar to the one w t here on Wednesday evening, are given. At the-close of the season a. social is. held,, which is attended by the parents,, sisters,, aml friends of the mo Sectarianism, is ignored,, so

thait; the/Institute has- biriJitsroll youthsl belonging to different churches: In vibw/bf the success which 'has attended ; such clubs m other parts of the colony we believe there is scope-for A Motueka Young MenV InstitUfce ano- we shall - have' mtfbh'• pleasure in ’ 'helping to. bring it 1 into existence. -; [^ltnee' the: above was in type we are inf brined, that a meeting was ; held in the institute (Hall last night, when preliminary steps: Were tak en to establish a gymnasium i ti' Motueka. A report of the proceed - ings will appear in our next issue.]