The Standard AND PEOPLE'S ADVOCATE. (PUBLISHED EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SATURDAY.) WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 1, 1875.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume III, Issue 329, 1 December 1875, Page 2

The Standard AND PEOPLE'S ADVOCATE. (PUBLISHED EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SATURDAY.)

WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 1, 1875.

“We shall sell to no man justice or right: We shall deny to no man justice or right: We shall defer to no man justice or right.”

A Mechanics’ Institute is unquestionably one of the wants of Gisborne; and until our requirements in this respect are met we shall assuredly continue to occupy a position disadvantageous to ourselves. Other towns in the colony of less importance than ours have their Schools of Arts, and Mechanics’ Institutes, whilst all we can boast of is a public library, and which, although it contains a considerable variety of books, periodicals, and newspapers, is far too circumscribed for our literary wants, even assuming that we are not an extensive reading community. The progress that those most useful institutions have made in the colonies—New Zealand not excepted —during the past twenty years is so marvellous as to be scarcely credible ; and this circumstance of itself should have stimulated us to vie with our neighbors in founding an institution worthy of our progressive proclivities in other ways. We are not behind the times in promoting Freemasonry, Oddfellowship, Good Templarism, Forestery, and other institutions having for their object the moral, intellectual, and social elevation of the people ; and there is no reason why we should permit apathv to hold us so long in its grasp in regard to the establishment' of a Mechanics’ Institute, as it has done. We are fully aware of the difficulties which attend the founding and maintenance of such institutions, and we are consequently disposed to make due allowance on that score ; but at the same time it must be acknowledged that it is reproachful to us that those difficulties should have hitherto dissuaded us from a purpose which we ought to have endeavored to accomplish. Smaller towns than Gisborne have, by dint of energy and perseverance, succeeded in overcoming the very difficulties that intimidate us ; and by pursuing a similar course it is quite possible for us to overcome them also. Highly as we ought to value a public library, it must be borne in mind that we ought to set a higher value upon a Mechanics’ Institute, inasmuch as the benefits which the latter —if properly managed—confers are greater than those conferable by the former. The joint intention of the founders of Mechanics’ Institutes—LordßnoUGHAiiandDr. Birkbeck —w’as that these institutions should not only be mediums of circulating useful books of every description amongst the middle and lower classes, but that they should also be institutions at which instruction might be acquired in arts and sciences, by the formation of classes for that purpose, and the delivery of courses of lectures from time to time ; and it is universally known that much valuable knowledge has been imparted through the instrumentality of these excellent institutions, since the first of them was founded in London, sixty seven years ago. In the United States of America the best and most advanced mechanics study at the Mechanics’ Institutes, and attend the lectures thereat regularly ; and we notice that it has been lately proposed to assimilate, as far as practicable, the Mechanics’ Institutes of Victoria to those of the States, by which assimilation they will be raised to a higher status than they now occupy. A few weeks ago a mechanic delivered an admirable lecture in Melbourne on the benefits of institutions for mechanics, and impressed upon his audience— which numbered about a thousand—to accord to such institutions that support to which they were entitled, as instructors and elevators of society. In proof of the utility of Mechanics’ Institutes, the lecturer stated that two mechanics, who, with himself, attended classes at a Mechanics’ Institute in Lancashire, received Government appointments, and were now in the receipt of yearly salaries of £l5O, and £GOO, respectively. Some few insignificant writers have stupidly objected to the instruction of the working, or lower classes, from and apprehension that it would lift them above their sphere, make them dissatisfied with their station in life, and by thus impairing the habit of subordination, endanger the tranquility of the State—an objection that is utterly devoid of all force and validity. It is not easy to conceive in what manner instructing men in their duties can prompt them to neglect those duties; or how that enlarge-

merit of reason which enables them to comprehend aright the true grounds of authority and obligation to obedience, should indispose them to obey. Without a Mechanics’ Institute, Gisborne is deprived of advantages which it might, in common with other towns, enjoy. We have neither a suitable reading room, nor a place wherein classes could be formed for theinstruction of mechanics; nor have we a building in which instructive lectures could be given free of charge, as is done elsewhere, in connection with Mechanics’ Institutes. We verily believe that W'ere our townspeople to bestir themselves in this direction sufficent funds could be raised to warrant .the erection of a building for an institution of this kind, and towards which a grant could probably be obtained from the Government, upon certain conditions. It would be much more advantageous to us to receive £2OO from the public treasury for aiding the establishment of a Mechanics’ Institute, than for aiding our Benevolent Society, which does not really stand in need of money.