GERALDINE YOUNG MEN'S CLUB.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1248, 4 October 1884, Page 3

GERALDINE YOUNG MEN'S CLUB.

On Wednesday evening last a meeting was held in the Good Templars' Hall, Geraldine, having for its object the establishing of a Young Men's Club. By invitation, the Rev. G. Preßton took the chair. There were also present the Revs. G. Barclay and Clark. There •was a large audience. The rev. chairman read the advertisement inserted in the Geraldine Guardian convening the meeting, and remarked that he considered such, an institution as that proposed was required in the township where so many young men -were growing up around them. But the establishing of such an institution required mature consideration, and to carry it out properly they would require.funds. He -was not a young man himseit, although he once wis, yet he heartily sympathised with the movement, as something was required to amuse and yet instruct young oen of an evening. It was for them to put their shoulders to tlie wheel and push the matter forward, and at the same time not put the burden on one man. The Rev. T. A. Hamilton, of Temuka, had forwardpd the rules of the Young Men's Club there, and he had intimated he would do all in his power to assist in the formation of a similar Club in Geraldine. Mr J. Ogilvie, the ireaeurer of that Club, was present that evening, and he would ask ,gim to give the meeting some insight imto the working of his Club. Mr OgiVvie said the Club at Temuka was working rery satisfactorily. There were at the present time 73 active and honorary members. The entrance fee was 5s and a subscription to the funds of 2s per month afterward?. Country members paid Is per month. The rev. chairman read a circular that had been issued by the Temuka Club, containing a syllabus of the daily routine. Mr Coltman would ask Mr Ogilvie, how many out of the 73 members were over 30 years of age ? Mr Ogilvie : Thirty-six. After a short pause, and in order to expedite the business of the evening, Mr Fisher proposed pnd Mr E. Millard seconded—" That a Young Men's Club be aow formed in Geraldine." Mr Coltman would move an amendment, He was not antagonistic to the

movrment. From the information given by Mr Ogilvie, out of 73 members more than 50 per cent wore over the age of 80 years. He would propose—" That we form in Geraldir.e a Working Men's Club," bo as to admit all classes, without giving it a distinctive character. He considered that the young men would take greater courage and interest in the matter under the auspices of a Working Men's Club, if such a one was established. The amendment not being seconded, fell through. Ihe Rev. G. Barclay would like to pay a fev* words before the motion was put. He upheld the establishing of a Young Men's Club in Geraldine, so long as it wa§ confined to innocent amusement. Very prominent on the Temuka programme was physical exercise and games of various kinds. The objects of that Club were limited to these matters. Could there not be some improvement? He wouid like to see a Committee formed so as to ascertain the objects of the Club in all their bearings, and for such Committee to draw up a report to be laid before another meeting to be held afterwards, so as to work the matter out more readily. For his part he would like to see something better, and the object aimed higher, than the Club at Temuka. He would therefore propose as an amendment Committee be formed to look over the documents forwarded by the Rev. T. A. Hamilton in order to arrange a basis on which a Young Men's Club could be formed in Geraldine, and report to another general meeting at a future date." Mr Coltman urged that before a Committee could be chosen the Club should be formed and a committee could then be appointed. The Rev. G. Barelay said that his idea was simply first to settle the principles of the Club, and if the public approved of them then the Club could be formed, but they should settle their principles first. Mr J. Waite seconded the amendment which was then put to the meeting and carried, the original resolution being lost. The rev. chairman called ou the meeting to name the Committee, when the following were nominated : —Messrs J. W. Pye, T. Sherratt, F. Grimmer, A. Fisher, T. Hughes, W. Fleming, N. Dunlop, W. S. Maslin, W. CoUmar., Et. H. Pearpoint, A. Erskine, E, Millard and J. Brown. On the votes being taken the election resnlted as follows : —T. Sherratt, 24 ; J. W. Pye, 24; A. Fisher, 24; T. Hughes, 22 ; N. Dunlop, 20 ;W. Ooltnian, 19 : Rev. G. Barclay, 19. The Rev. G. Barclay, observing that the young men were not represented on the Committee resigned as a member, Messrs F. Grimmer and A. Erskine were then nominated, and, on a show of hands being taken, the latter was duly elected. Proposed by Mr Coltman, seconded by Mr Logan—" That Mr T. Sherratt be convener of the Committee."—Carried. Proposed by Mr T. Sherratt, seconded by Mr Pratt and earned—" That the Committee bring their report before a general meeting tb's night fortnight." The meeting then terminated. A Committee meeting was afterwards held.