ARATAPU MUTUAL IMPROVEMENT CLASS.

Wairoa Bell, Volume IV, Issue 149, 10 June 1892, Page 2

ARATAPU MUTUAL IMPROVEMENT CLASS.

The Aratapu Mutual Improvement Class met on Wednesday evening to hear and -discuss the contents of their Magazine and a very interesting evening was spent. Mr Thomas Webb in the chair. The first article was a short piece by “ Ravenswood ”on Marriages. This was rather severely handled by critics who considered the article'very incomplete and yet scarcely original. “ Mufty ” wrote deploring the undue attention given to physical exercises, especially football, and the small amount paid to mental culture. This letter was pronounced to be very good and gave rise to very' favourable discussion. We shall take the privilege of publishing “ Mufty"s letter.

‘■Only One ” wrote in n similar strain to above, but more briefly- The discussion on this wa,s brief, as it was really a continuation of the previous one. It was generally agreed that too little time was given to mental culture in proportion to that given to football, although it was doubted whether the young men who now spend their time discussing this game would make any better use of it if not so employed. “ Football ” wrote lamenting the harsh and spiteful remarks made use of, more especially by spectators at football matches. This practice was of course generally condemned, and it was agreed that players themselves did not show any spitefulness in their play. The next was an article on ‘Hypocrisy.’ This was rather longer than the other pieces and was generally pronounced to he good, being compared by some to a sermon. Members had not provided themselves with note books and seemed to have laid hold of very little to criticise. “Strive to be what you seem ” wrote the author, and this was taken exception to by one critic as being had ad vice. The same critic a,so condemned thepopular tendency to dub any and all who step forward to do good work as hypocrites. The last article was one, which we publish elsewhere, entitled ‘lmaginary offences created by law.’ Our readers can read the article for themselves. Mr Thomas Bassett defended the County Council and upheld the necessity of the laws condemned by the writer. Mr Scott also upheld the laws and affirmed the necessity for them. Mr G. Smith agreed with the letter and styled, such laws 1 rotten legislation.’ Mr Thomas Webb declared himself to be the writer of the letter and warmly upheld the views put forth. Discussion was getting warm and other members had to speak but closing time had arrived, and the meeting was closed. Discussion continued outside and a desire was expressed to bring the matter for wardjfor further debate,and to secure the attend ance of the Slaughterhouse inspector, Mr R. Powell and Mr J, Thompson. The Society at ils next meeting debates the question “Are the Sexes Mentally equal?’ Mr T. Webb volunteered to take the negative and was advised not to make it known at home. As no other member appeared willing to lead in the affirmative the task was undertaken by Mr Stallworthy.

Clipped from the Aratapu Mutual MAGAZINE.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —Please allow’me to state a few reasons why our Mutual Class should be better attended and more appreciated by the members of our small community. The Class was organised for the mutual benefit of all its members, so that they could meet two evenings a - month and enjoy social intercourse, thereby deriving healthy recreation for the mind. There are many bodily recreations in-vogue just now, such as the now popular games of fcoiball, cricket and other athletic sports, but they are only temporary enjoyments having nothing to be remembered only that it was a fine game, a good run, a fierce maul, or that some poor player was seriously hurt. I donot object to manly sports, but I do object to their being the whole and sole topic of the day. Men, women and children are to be seen in many places all talking about football ; if you go to get your mail, or go to any of the stores you are asked about football- Go ic Barker's or Searle’s shop and ask for a pair of boots and the only things they can bring forth are football kickers. Go to Nield’s for meat and you are asked if you want a roast of football or a pound of football sausages. I have been surprised when on 1 he football ground to hear many of our youngmen and young- Indies calling out “ Well done, Ticket,” ‘‘Go it Tony," “Rush it up, boys,” “ Kopuru is licked,” and many other such expressions, Doubtless they are in a high state of excitement at the time, but is this excitement beneficial to their health or mind ? I cannot say. but I am of the opinion that if seme of these young people whom I have heard shouting so lustily were placed in society their conversational powers would be very limited. I think it would be a good thing for such people to belong to a Mutual Class Where they would gather a great deal of information that would be useful to them. They would observe the proper way to stand while speaking, learn how to pronounce their words, and to speak' grammatically. They would also obtain a knowledge of history and biugrap y and pick up many other little scraps of information. They could look back with pleasure and have a hearty laugh at many of the incidents that happened in the class. 1 "have no doubt but some of the old members like my self often laugh when they think of the many, subjects discussed and criticised in former days such as, 1 Wl laf age should a woman be before she is married? ’ and also Mr Nield’s subject, ‘ Wlio was Carnegie ?' and best of all that” long essay yyyitlen by Tony without reference, to history or biogiapby on the Life of JSa.vid Livingstone. Trusting'that tlie football riiembers of the class will not take tne for a-b J 1 and kick me into sawdust, —I remain Myjj’XT,