COMMUNITY CLUB.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 April 1922, Page 4

COMMUNITY CLUB.

TO HELP TERRITORIALS. FORMED IN NEW PLYMOUTH. The formation of a Community Club for territorials in New Plymouth, was the object of a meeting held at the Victoria League rooms last night. Mr. C. H. Weston presided. The chairman said he did not propose to go into the details of the scheme at length, as most of those present had heard the outline given by Mr. E. Muir, of Wellington, in an address recently. It was a simple idea and seemed to have been originated by Mr. Muir with the help of Sir Andrew Russell. Military training in the country was compulsory and it affected the boys at a time which was really the dangerous age. He remarked that in New Plymouth there were two parades weekly, one for cadets and the other for territorials. The cadet parade was generally attended by about 200. Mr. Weston remarked that the scheme of military training was purely one of parades only; it was really a wooden one. The State was not taking advantage of the opportunity presented of getting the best out of the boys or giving the best to them. The scheme mooted was to take advantage of that opportunity. It was run -in conjunction with the training and consisted of a. club at which the boys could obtain refreshments at practically cost price, the work being done by voluntary hostesses. The influence of women of this character, he said, could not but help being of good to the boys. Then there were the social features; entertainments' were provided and lectures given, and it was also suggested that boxing classes could be started. In referring to the probable working of the scheme in N<r>v Plymouth Mr. Weston said there was a room in the upper portion of the Coronation Hall which could be used and the .boys would have a free choice whether they patronised it or not. In regard to the catering branch, Mrs. Burgess had come to the rescue by offering that the Victoria League would take over that part entirely. They would, of course, liave to be provided with the necessary finances and equipmnt. After proceeding to deal with the general organisation. Mr. Weston said there was no doubt as to the necessity for such a club and its ues, once established.

Tt wss decided to form a “New Ply mouth Territorial and Cadet Commun ity Club,” with a management commit' tee of ladies and men.

The following were appointed as office-bearers: President, Mr. C. H. Bur(gess; vice-presidents, Mrs. Burgess, Messrs. J. H. Quilliam, C. H. Weston; committee, Mesdames A. R. Standish, C. H. Weston, Le Mav, Miss Sole, Archdeacon Evans, Dr. Thomson. Messrs. J. Brodie, C. AVaterton, W. N. Stephenson, W. J. Penn, W. C. Weston, A. M. McDiarmid, and A. Smith.

The appointment of a secretary was left to the committee.

The subscription was fixed at five shillings.

In reply to the chairman, Mrs. Burgess said she had not had an opportunity of consulting the Victoria League on the question, but she hud no doubt there would be sufficient of the members forthcoming to undertake the work. She ditl not think it need be confined to the one organisation, as she believed there were many others who would no doubt help. Authority was given to Mrs. Burgess to procure crockery and equipment. The chairman, Messrs. Penn, Waterson and A. Smith were appointed a lecture committee.