The Temuka Leader TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 1884. YOUNG MEN'S CLUB.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1239, 16 September 1884, Page 2

The Temuka Leader TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 1884. YOUNG MEN'S CLUB.

A letter appeared in our columns a couple of issues ago, suggesting the advisability of establishing a Young Men's Club for Geraldine. The suggestion is one well worthy of the attention, not onlj of the young men of the town, but also of their parents and friends, and it would give us pleasure to learn that steps are to be taken for the purpose of giving practical effects to it. It may encourage those who are thus inclined, to know that the Temuka Young Men's Club is working very successfully. It has gone ahead with astonishing rapidity—far beyond the most sanguine hopes of its promoters—and there is no evidence oi falling off. Not only that, but it has altogether changed the character of the town, and has in fact given a tone to the manners and habits of that portion of the population who rpust go somewhere to amuse themselves in the evening. There is in every town a class who must have some amusement, and if they cannot find means of harmless enjoyment the temptation to indulge in mischievousness is very strong. Such an institution as that which is suggested would provide exactly what young men want. In Temuka tbey are under very little restriction, and can amuse themselves to their hearts' content. Single-sticks, boxing-gloves, chess, draughts, bagatelle, reading, and so on, may be going on together, while two nights in the neek are partly devoted to debating and reading papers. There was an attempt at establishing a mimic parliament, but it did not suit the majority of the members, and we believe it has been abandoned for the time being. Arrangements are also made for football, cricket, lawu tennis, dramatic performances, and so forth, and in fact for every kind of amusement of which one could think. Besides this, it provides for young men a place of resort for the winter evenings, where they can amuse themselves much better than at street corners or in billiard rooms. We believe there is plenty of material in Geraldine to atari a club, but this must be remembered : some men of responsibility must take it in hand if if is ever to succeed. Only that the Rev. Mr Bamilton took it in hand in Temuka it would never have been started. This must bo patent to all, because boys will not take the initiative in such a thing. There is another thing that an effort ought to be made to avoid, and that is class distinctions. In small communities this

ought to be avoided as rnu«h as possible, for it tends to disunite people, and nothing can succeed wall where the population is small unless all assist. It might he as well to be plain on this subject, even though we may oflvnd. There are people in every community who must, of necessity, stand aloof to a certain extent through the nature of their occupation or surroundings. For instance, if a bank clerk were found to associate with Tom, Dick, and Harry, aud join in their practical jokes, he would probably be dismissed from his employment. There are ot! rg similarly situated, who must, even against their own inclination, conduct, themselves with great circumspection, even to the extent of dressing themselves as their employers direct. There is no use in denying that there has always been, and always will be, more than one class. 'Birds ot one feather flock together,' and it is useless to try and prevent them from doing so. But notwithstanding class distinction of this kind, there is not the slightest reason why they should not all meet and live happily together in such an institution as the one suggested. We feel sure they can, much to their mutual advantage ; that is, if tiny respect social prejudices, and herein lies all the secret. As we hare pointed out, it is absolutely necessary for some persons to observe a certain amount of circumspection, but it frequently happens that this is put down by the other party to what they call *' stuck-uppishnessV Of course there is at once a "down" taken on the " stuck-up" party and everything disrespectful and annoying to them is said and done. Now this is the way " stuch-up pishness " is caused, by the very people who complain of it. " One man is as good as another" is their motto, and they take great delight in speaking disrespectfully to, and of, those who " put on airs " as ihey say. The consequence is that the so-called " stuck-up " persons have to separate from the others, and form another class of their own. This is not the case in the Old Country. The pons of the Lord of the Manor, the tradespeople, and the working men frequently associate in all kinds of sports on the most agreeable terms ; but then each person keeps his own place, aud each receives the respect due to his station in life. If those who attempt to carry out the idea that " one man is as good as another " observed this rule of respecting those to whom, in consequence of their position in life, respect is due, the class distinctions would not be so well-defined as they are, aud the classes would meet in social intercourse more frequently than they do now. If the Geraldine people attempt to establish a Young Men's Club, we should advise them all to unite in carrying it to a successful issue, and if they do that they must respect each other's prejudices, else there will soon be a split amongst them.