A SELF-SUPPORTING VILLAGE CLUB.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXVIII, Issue 7941, 16 January 1906, Page 7

A SELF-SUPPORTING VILLAGE CLUB.

A correspondent, signing hiiuseif ■"X," supplies in the London Spectator a short aooonnt of a village club started on somewhat unusual lioes. "With a population of no more: than 500, we have built and famished a working-men's club, which is not only entirely self-sup-porting, but is able to pay a dividend of 5 per cent, and carry for-1 ward a balance ot 8 per cent, on the original outlay at the end of its first season. The club rooms, two in number, consist of one large room devoted to whist, bagatelle, and a library, and a smaller room furnished with a full-sized billiardtable, and large enough so as to accommodate a great number uf spectators. The building, including foundations and complete equipment, coat £3OO, the only exceptions being the library and the installation of aoetylene gas, which was pat in by the vicar of the Darisb at his own expense. The whole of this capital of £3OO was subscribed in the village in £1 shares, and a 5 per cent, dividend was guaranteed by the principal landowner in order to obviate any difficulty in the trans- j ference of shares. Honorary members are subscribers of 5s and upwards, annual members pay 4s, •and monthly members 6d. The total membership is over 100, though of this number many join only for a month or two at a time. When the club was opened in September, 1904, there were only "three residents who knew how to play billiards, but such has been the interest taken in the game that the table has scarcely ever been vacant for a half-hour throughout 'the winter months. Though the payment is only Id each per halfhour, the takings have amounted to no less a sum than £35. The club is managed by a committee of 14, of whom two are in charge every evening from half-past six to ten p.m. Their worn is entirely voluntary, but the season they have been found at their poet, and it is largely owing to their devotion and interest that the club has been suoh a success. The total income for -the first season from all sources amoun s to no less a sum than £94. Our expenses come to £54. ,We are, therefore, able not only to declare the full dividend of 5 per cent, upon the capital, but to carry forward a balance of £25 towards the sinking fund. In these days all are well acquainted with the village reading-rooms, but the novelty of this undertaking lies in the fact that it has been built, furnished and carried on by a number of the villagers themselves, who have not only subscribed the capital, but have gladly given their time to make the club a successful one. It would seem that in any village of 500 or over, where there are no serious rival attractions, a like scheme would probably meet with equal success. Puller details of the Bcbeme will be forwarded to any one applying direct to the hon. secretary, Parwioh Institute, near Ashbourne."