WAKEFIELD RECREATION SOCIETY.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIV, Issue 201, 23 August 1879, Page 2

WAKEFIELD RECREATION SOCIETY.

To the Editor of the "Evening Alail " Sir — As the above-named Society has come somewhat abruptly before the public, I think a brief notice of its origin and objects would not be unacceptable. The more immediate cause of the Society being formed was the deaire to save a building— the Choral Hall — from becoming private property, by showing to what good uses it may be put in providing rational and innocent amusement for the people; to make them feel and see that it is a public advantage to have such a building in our mids^t, and that now they have got this building (thanks to the efforts and energy of one man) it is their duty and interest td keep it and preserve it* While parents are so prone to deplore the evil courses their children have fallen into, they should look to it that they are not to blame themselves in this matter by neglecting to provide healthy channels for the buoyancy and ardency of youth to expend their forces in. By preserving the Choral Hall as a place of public resort and entertainment, and for lectures, readings, &c, with, in the near future, a Free Library and Museum attached, the whole dissociated from drink and gambling, parents in this district will be doing much to put their children safely on their journey through life at the time of their youth when so niauy dangers und temptations beset them. Rather than the Choral Hall should be sold I would hand my interest in it over to the County Council that it might be made public property in, the widest sense of the term, in perpetuity. Some have raised the objection that "the Hall is too large," but this was shown to be groundless by the manner in which it was filled last Friday evening, anJ

in spite of the rain. In conclusion I would remark that I believe the amusements of children is as important as their education, and that it is the neglect of providing such amusements that is the cause of nine tenths of the much- talked-of, but little-helped intemperance and crime. This will seem to many a rash and sweeping assertioo to make, but it is based on stubborn facts, and a long course of observation in this and the old country.— Hoping these remarks may not have been made in vain. I am, Sir. Yours, &c, James Grove. Foxhill, August 20, 1879.

To the Editor of tiik 'Evening Mail.' Sir,— Allow me through the columns of your useful paper to express my thanks to the designers of the Symons memorial that they did not forget the poor dog. It reminded me, when travelling through the London streets during the hot weather, of the kind tradesman who put under the projecting window a dish of clear water, with a ticket labelled ' for dogs.'— l am, &c, Old Biggs.