MUTUAL IMPROVEMENT SOCIETY.

Patea Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 1028, 30 April 1883, Page 2

MUTUAL IMPROVEMENT SOCIETY.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —As the winter is drawing on apace, the question of employment for the lon g evenings is continually recurring to those who have spare time on their band?. Various are the methods in which both profit and amusement can be obtained from. social intercourse. Dancing classes, debating societies, draughts and chess clubs, arc ail w< r by objects with these ends in view. The former are now in full swing, but the field is still clear for other purpurposes. The success of debating societies only, is perhaps uncertain, at least judging from personal experience in these matters. I have found it so ; draughtF, and chess too, although they have many admirers ?re not sufficiently popular to draw the number together. Amateur performances are apt to get overdone if that line is gone into without discretion. Tea-fights are very jolly, but require lots of money and work. Taking into consideration the fact that each of these sources of amusement will fail if tried by itself, I would like to suggest through these columns the formation of a Mutual Improvement Society which could be made to take in as many of the features I have mentioned as may be considered advisable. Debates on interesting subjects, both social and political, (but not touching religious} might be held once a month ; for the discussion of political questions a parliament might be formed with its .leaders, &c. . Draughts, chess, and cards might 'occupy one or two nights in the month, while a night set apart for dialogues, recitations, readings, and the delivering of essaya would serve as a trial ground for the younger blood. Looked at in this light I think a very good society might be initiated in Patea, and not only might its programme include all these features, but there is no reason why it should not wind up with atea-fighf, dramatic performance, and a dance.— Yours &c.,

Radical,