WHAT IS IT?

New Zealander, Volume XVIII, Issue 1714, 13 August 1862, Page 4

WHAT IS IT?

To tho Editor of the New-Zealani>er. Sir, —A few doors from your office is to be found an establishment of so mysterious a character, that I am induced to ask the question, What is it ? In the day time its door is constantly kept shut, as if no human being ever crossed its threshold, and the whole of its windows are coarsely covered with whiting. Whenever I have passed the locality during daylight, I have found the outward aspect of the house to bo what I have now described -, but when darkness has thrown its mantle o'er the earth, the scene is at once changed. It is during the latter period that satisfactory evidence is obtained of its being the place of meeting of some corporeal bodies, from the constant commotion which is going on within. On one occasion recently, curiosity prompted me to peep through the windows, hut I found that my visual organ was not sufficiently strong to penetrate the layer of whiting, and at that moment a sturdy, and by no means a pleasant-visagcd, man came from within, who assumed at once the duties of a sentinaled Cerberus. It was, of course, then time for me to move away, which I speedily did ; but not before I perceived the eyes of that faithful guardian were beaming upon mo most unlovingly. In the evening I again traversed Shortland-street, and had my curiosity partly appeased by hearing the strains of a fiddle, and the active movement of feet as if they were performing the "double shuffle." Immediately afterwards, a soldier, who had imbibed sufficient of that most innocent of all beverages, " alcohol," to make him feel most valiant, stood before the door, and loudly declared that "he would light the best man amongst them." He continued his defiance for some time, when another man came out, and said, " that if he wanted to test his courage, he had better come in and try;" and in they both went, when the door was immediately closed. I enquired of a bystander what it all meant, when he replied, "that it was an Academy for Pugilistic Science, where men could learn the art of self-defence, and knock each other about to their heart's content." I made no comment then upon what I saw and heard, but do so now, by asking if such an institution is required in this City—an institution where the youth and manhood about us can revel in the luxury of animal debasement, and cultivate the growth of some of the baser attributes of their nature. Surely, that establishment may be considered to be one of the " causes of crime," and must lead to much bitter fruits. If such be the case, it were better that it be speedily crushed, and not allowed to germinate a poison which will leave its withering effects upon the mind of many a youth, and destroy his future prospects. I am, &c, Pro -Bono Publico. August 11th, 1862.