The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 1892. A YOUNG MEN'S CLUB.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XIII, Issue 2618, 17 March 1892, Page 2

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 1892. A YOUNG MEN'S CLUB.

It is with great pleasure that we learn that staps are being taken to form a club for the young men of the town and district, and we trust the result of the efforts that are being made will be the establishment of a genuine young men's club, composed, as far as ordinary membership goes, of young men, and governed by young men for young men. The proceedings of the promoters (of which we have published a resume) seem well calculated' towards obtaining this object. It has very rightly been determined that the Club shall be for the purposes of recreation and instruction only, and thus be open to young men of any, or no, denomination. Many well-in) entioned efforts have failed because the, clubs or associations have been made use of as means to get the members together to be preached at. Not only will this mistake be avoided, but care will be taken that the syllabus of instruction or lectures—which members of course will be free to attend or not, as they choose—is not of "a too severely intellectual character." The members themselves, we should think, will take care of this, and that the amusements provided are of the character that young men will avail themselves of | without compulsion. The long winter evenings must first be provided for ; the question of outdoor amusements for the summer months may stand over until the spring. A debating class, well conducted, is one of the best and most useful of all recreations, and we are glad to see that one has been deckled upon. A dramatic and elocution class, and a singing or glee class, would also be attractions, and chess and draughts classes would be appreciated. We would make the suggestion that the success of the project might be materially furthered if the co-operation of the Swimming, Cycling, Football, and Cricket Clubs could be secured. These Clubs are without any exactly suitable place of meeting, and it should not be ditficult to arrange that they might be given the use of a room, on stated evenings, without interfering with the working of the other departments of the Club. With a substantial membership derived from these Clubs the Young Men's Club would be able to provide special literature for the various branches of athletics, and the benefit would be mutual. Many of the promoters have had experience m similar undertakings, and their advice and assistance—as a sort of Upper House—will be of great value. We trust soon to see the Young Men's Club iirmly established.