YOUNG MEN’S INSTITUTE.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 68, 16 February 1884, Page 2

YOUNG MEN’S INSTITUTE.

A meeting, having for its object the formation of a Young Men’s Institute, was held in the public school-room on Thursday evening. Mr. DeLautour took the chair, and explained the object of the meeting. In doing so he said it would be necessary, for the purpose of success, to include many things in their programme which in larger towns had a separate institution to itself. They would have to institute classes to meet the tastes and requirements of all members—law students could form law classes, and mechanics could establish free-hand drawing-classes. There were many able and willing to give such instruction. Added to these might be short-hand, languages (including Maori), aud

phrenology. The institution, to be permanent, must be self-supporting within itself. There was little that he could do to help it, as his duties and ties laid without, but should any desire assistance from what might spring out of that meeting, the conveners dnd himself would be amply repaid for their trouble. Dr. Pollen had listened with great interest to the words of the last speaker. In the pursuit of his profession he had many opportunities of seeing that a good deal of the time which the young wasted could be more profitably employed. The attempt to start a debating class had failed, but an institution such as Mr. DeLautour had sketched out would be on a more permanent and solid footing. He thought some one should propose that the institution should be started. Mr. Tucker did not think that any great credit was due to the conveners, but Mr. DeLautour deserved that. He advised the starting at the bottom rung of the ladder. If a motion was carried to the effect that the institution be started, that would be the first step attained. In advocating the formation of a museum in this town, he reminded his hearers of the modest manner in which the Auckland one had been star ed. He thought the present institution might be connected with the Library, and then the members could use the reading-room. He then re* minded his hearers that they were the future men of Gisborne, and that every one should make himself as fit as possible. Mr. J. S. Brown narrated his painful experiences with respect to Public Libraries during his late trip north and eouth, On entering these places the first thing which met his eye was “ smoking strictly prohibited,” “ Talking not allowed.” At Welling* ton as you go in at the door the first thing you see is a big placard w’ith " silence.” He thought this sort of thing very bad and melancholy. It would be much better to en* courage sociality. Look at our own library for instance. There were never more than four or five persons present of an evening* He strongly condemned the way in which five offices had been built in front and only a very small room in tne rear for a library. He felt sure this sort of thing had never been contemplated by the Government when the grant was made. The ground was very impro* perly applied. He would advise a few gentlemen to form themselves into a committee with a view of improving that institution. Mr. T. Morgan then related his experienoes in connection with a similar institution in New South Wales. There were variouß classes, and the teaching, with the exception of science, was voluntary. They must nave several rooms. The Rev. J. Hill took great interest in thl objects of the meeting. He could not agree with Mr. Browne, as he did not like reading papers which smelt of tobacco. In the city of Auckland there was a smoking-room. He thought it would be best to make the thing as social as possible. He advised forming of a committee to work, if possible, with the Library Committee, and would propose that they bring up a report to a further meeting. Mr. Ross, jun., then proposed “ That a society be formed to carry out the purposes of the meeting.” Mr. W. H. Clayton having seconded the proposition, it was put and carried, After Archdeacon Williams and Messrs. Woon and Chrisp had addressed the meeting, the following gentlemen were elected as a committee for the purpose of maturing matters, enrolling members, and to bring up a report to a future meeting:—Archdeacon Williams, Dr. Pollen, R. Ballantyne, E. Chrisp, Ingle, Jameson, Porter, P. O’Meara, and DeLautour. At the close of the meeting a number of members enrolled themselves.