The Wellington Club, the only residential club in the Empire City, is said to have been originally founded in the year 1840. It was named the Wakefield Club, in honour of Colonel Wakefield, who represented the New Zealand Company in the early days of colonisation. This name was retained till 1860, when it was changed to its present cognomen. For many years the club was situate on Lambton Quay, opposite the Government Departmental Buildings, in the premises now occupied by Messrs. Warnock and Adkin, drapers. Ever since its inception the Wellington Club has taken the premier place as such in the life of the City. In the early seventies the accommodation of the old building proved too scanty for the requirements of members, and it was decided to build suitable premises. A choice site of one acre in extent was secured on the Terrace, opposite Woodward Street. Mr. Thomas Turnbull, the well-known architect, was instructed to prepare plans and specifications, and the handsome structure now occupied was erected, being completed and opened in 1877. It is an imposing three-story wooden building, with large bay windows, from which are obtainable most extensive views of the City and harbour. Outside the main entrance is a large portico available for carriages. On the right within is a cheerful room for the reception of strangers; the remainder of the ground floor is used as kitchen, scullery, cellar, storeroom, and servants' quarters. The first floor is reached by a wide carpeted staircase, which leads into a fine, luxuriously-furnished hall, which is one of the main features of this institution. The magnificent dining-room opens from the hall, and has seating accommodation for seventy persons. On this floor there are comfortable smoking and writing-rooms, and a very large billiard-room, which has two tables by Burroughes and Watts. At the back of this flat are the secretary's offices, besides lavatories, etc. The second floor contains fifteen bedrooms, a card-room, and bath-rooms. The property is fenced in front with substantial iron railings. The grounds are laid out in verdant lawns, splendidly kept, and planted with lovely trees and shrubs, which are intersected by walks and carriage drives. Behind the club a large concrete tennis court has been laid out. The institution is vested in twelve trustees, who are assisted in its management by a committee of seven. The present (1895) trustees are Messrs. Colonel Pearce (president), F. D. Bell (vice-president), W. C. Buchanan, M.H.R., F. A. Krull, James McKerrow, J. E. Nathan, C. B. Izard, Charles Pharazyn, G. Tolhurst, and Sir George Clifford, Bart. The committee are Messrs. A. de B. Brandon, J. R. Blair, J. Duncan, R. M. Simpson, P. Parfitt, John Ross, and Colonel Fox. The Club has members in all the leading towns and cities of the Colony.

Mr. N. W. Werry, Secretary and Manager of the Wellington Club, hails from Cornwall. He was educated at Eton and Sandhurst, and came to New Zealand in 1870, via Melbourne. He joined the Government Service soon after arrival as clerk in the Public Works Department, and was gradually promoted in the Service. In 1879 he became Under-Secretary for Railways. Five years later he was retrenched, and accepted the position he still retains.

Central Club, Limited, Grey Street and Lambton Quay, Wellington. Directors, Messrs. C. A. Knapp (Chairman), John Young, J.P., T. G. Macarthy, J.P., E. Mason, and G. H. Harbroe, J.P.; Secretary and Manager, Mr. A. I. Masters. Telephone 8. Bankers, Bank of New South Wales. The Central Club was established about 1880, and has proved a very successful institution. Part of [he building occupied (the billiard-room)] originally known as the Oddfellows' Hall, serves the purposes of the Club splendidly. There are two entrances, the main one being in Grey Street, and the other in Lambton Quay. Entering the premises at the principal door, there is a handsome vestibule, from which the two rooms devoted to the use of strangers are reached. Handsome doors, fitted with Norton's patent door-checks and springs, lead into the central apartment, known as the billiard-room. This is said to be one of the finest and best-appointed south of the line. It is splendidly lighted from the roof, which is dome-shaped. The tables, two in number, of Allcock's famous make, are kept in fine order. At one end of the room the bar is situated, and here cold lunches and suppers are supplied free to members. The reading-room is at the other side, and is liberally supplied with English, Australian, and New Zealand literature, including both magazines and papers. The writing-room, a specially snug apartment, is furnished in good style, and is open to members at all times. Well-arranged lavatories are situated within the building. Every room is fitted with electric bells and electric light. The membership is about one hundred and twenty.

Mr. A. I. Masters, Secretary and Manager of the Central Club, Limited, was born and educated at Cowes, Isle of Wight. He came to the Colony by Sir James Fergusson's schooner, “The Blanche,” sixty-three tons, arriving in Wellington in 1873. Mr. Masters has had good general business experience since arriving in the City. For some time he was employed at the Wellington Club, and afterwards at Bellamy's. When the Athenæum was open Mr. Masters acted as librarian for a period of two years. He was appointed to his present position in January, 1891, and under his energetic and careful management the club has prospered and served the purposes intended.

The Wellington Commercial Travellers and Warehousemen's Club Company, Limited. Chairman, Mr. J. H. Owen, Secretary, Mr. J. J. Reich. This flourishing Club has sprung from the association of that name described elsewhere in the Cyclopedia. There are 180 members of the Association who enjoy club privileges, besides eighty purely club members. The whole of the profits are paid over to the Commercial Travellers and Warehousemen's Association to provide for any contingency. Finding the premises much too small the directors decided to build. Their new club house is situated in Hunter Street, next Messrs. W. M. Bannatyne and Co.'s warehouse. The cost of the building and fitting is over £2400; it is an imposing structure of two stories, built in brick, and having every necessary comfort, the ceilings being of embossed zinc instead of plaster. On entering the handsome hall a strangers' room is found on the left hand side. A very large billiard-room is right opposite the entrance door. This room contains two fine tables by Allcock, and is said to be one of the finest in the Colony. A card-room and bar open from this apartment. A very handsome staircase leads to the first floor where the reading-room is situated, of large dimensions, handsomely furnished, having three windows, and containing an abundant supply of current literature. This room is a credit to the club. On this floor also there is a comfortable writing and card-room. There are lavatories on both floors. Altogether, the new club house in Hunter Street is creditable alike to the city and the Association.

The Junior Wellington Club Co., Ltd., Johnston Street, Wellington). Directors, Messrs. H. D. Bell, M.H.R. (president), R. M. Simpson (vice-president), Colonel Hume, A.S. page 410 Biss, W. H. Field, S. Phillips, J. E. Ree, A. Gilbert, and S. Robinson; secretary, Mr. J. O. Anson. The Junior Wellington Club was established in 1891. The premises now occupied were then leased, and especially altered, renovated, and prepared for the use of members. The ground floor contains a comfortable strangers' room, a large and well-furnished writing apartment, and a very fine hall, from which a handsome staircase leads to the first floor. Here are found social, card, and reading-rooms, with every convenience, and a splendid billiard-room furnished with two excellent tables made by Allcock. The secretary's office is also on this floor. Great credit is due to the late secretary, Mr. F. Hartman, who was the means of bringing the Club to its present state of comfort and success. The membership numbers about 120 members.

The Wellington Working Men's Club and Literary Institute (incorporated under the Friendly Societies Act), corner of Victoria and Mercer Streets, Wellington. Committee:—Messrs. C. F. Worth, J.P. (president), J. Griffiths (vice-president), Edgar Jones, J.P. (treasurer), Robert Scott, J. Cenci, S. R. Dransfield, J.P., R. W. Mouatt, J. Costley, J. Atkinson and J. Shakes. Secretary and Manager, Mr. D. Collins. The Working Men's Club was originally established in 1877 in rooms over the shop now occupied by Mr. W. C. FitzGerald, chemist, Evening Post corner. A considerable influx of members resulted in larger premises being secured, the Club being removed to Harding's corner, Willis and Manners Streets, opposite the Albert Hotel. Here it was successfully conducted for some years, but the members continued to increase so much that the committee decided, with the approval of the general body of members, to procure a central site and erect a substantial club-house suited to the requirements of the working men of the Empire City. The fine corner section opposite the Free Public Library having been leased from the City Corporation, the late Mr. Jacobsen, architect, was retained to draw plans, etc. Unfortunately, that gentleman died before he saw the completion of the handsome two-story building which he had designed. Mr. W. Heginbotham was therefore instructed to have the building completed. The new and commodious premises were opened in 1893, and have proved to be everything that was desired. The main entrance is from Victoria Street; on the left, on entering, the office and the committee-room are situated. The billiard-room contains two full-sized tables, one by Allcock, and the other by Wright, Ranish and Co. On this floor also the bar and refreshment-rooms are to be found. A fine staircase leads to the first floor. The first room to the left on the landing is the library, which contains 3000 to 4000 volumes. On the right there is the reading-room, where a plentiful variety of periodicals and papers is regularly kept. Opposite the staircase is the social hall, a magnificent room capable of seating 400 people. This hall is supplied with a convenient stage, and, like the rest of the building, it is grandly illuminated by the electric light. Here the general meetings of the club are held, and the social entertainments—a great feature of this club—are held every week or ten days. Members and their families are welcomed to these entertainments, which have proved a great success. Friendly contests among the members in chess, draughts and billiards, and at cribbage, euchre, etc., are frequently held, as are tournaments of various kinds. Prizes are often presented by business firms, and these are supplemented by the committee. The membership numbers 900 good on the books.

Mr. D. Collins, Secretary and Manager of the Wellington Working Men's Club, was born in 1861 in Liverpool, where he was educated. As a lad he went to sea, and for some years was on the steamers of the Cunard, Inman and White Star lines, trading between Liverpool and New York. Mr. Collins came to New Zealand in 1884 as second steward on the s.s. “Ionic,” and joined the Union Steamship Company, with whom he remained as chief steward for ten years. He is well known in this capacity on the intercolonial and coastal steamers, having been successively on the “Rotomahana,” “Hauroto,” “Manapouri,” “Wakatipu,” “Tekapo,” and other steamers.

The Wellington Social Club: President, Mr. J. S. Edwards; Vice-Presidents, Messrs. G. Bedford and Mr. T. M. Collins. Committee:—Messrs. A. Pearson, A. W. Curtis, A. Hutson, L. Giles, J. P. Welsted and H. S. Hood. Trustees:—Dr. Teare and Mr. W. H. Gaudin. Treasurer, Mr. George Crichton. Secretary, Mr. C. W. Longuet, Mutual Life Association Buildings, corner of Brandon and Featherston Streets. This club was opened in October, 1893, under the name of the Temperance Club. The name was changed by vote of the members in March, 1895, but the constitution providing for the supply of non-alcoholic beverages only, was not altered. The whole of the top flat of the building is used for the convenience of members, the space being divided off into reading, card and billiard rooms. In the latter room, which is a very cheerful apartment, are two splendid billiard tables made by Messrs. Wright, Ranish and Co., of Wellington. In one corner is situate the refreshment bar, from which coffee, tea and temperance drinks are dispensed. There is also a well-appointed gymnasium for the use of members, who number 175. The efforts of the committee and officers to provide recreation free from allurements of intoxicants cannot be too highly eulogised.

The Women's Club, Lambton Quay, nearly opposite Government Buildings, Wellington. This is said to be the first club of its kind in the Colony. Established in January, 1896, under the control of Mrs. Grant, as manager, and Miss Lee as secretary, and a committee of eight, the movement has made a most successful commencement. The large two-story building occupied has been well fitted up and comfortably furnished as a residential club for women. On the ground floor are situated a capital library, a convenient dining-room, a snug room, which is reserved for the exclusive use of members, besides kitchen, and other apartments. About fifteen can be accommodated as permanent residents at the Club. Advantages are offered to members coming to lunch or afternoon tea. The public are admitted on reasonable terms. One of the principal objects of the Women's Club is to provide a central meeting place for women from all parts of the Colony. Every effort has been made to make the establishment bright, attractive, and homelike, and the success of the institution is already insured.

Miss Elizabeth Lee, Secretary of the Women's Club, is a lady who possesses considerable energy and ability Born in Thornhill Lees Yorkshire, in 1865, she accompanied her parents to New Zealand in the ship “Victory” to Lyttelton, arriving during the following year. Miss Lee's father, Mr. Edward Lee, was for many years a storekeeper and settler in Temuka, where the subject of this sketch was educated. After leaving school Miss Lee assisted her father in business, first as bookkeeper and subsequently as manager. She displayed her capacity as a business woman by making a trip to the West Coast goldfields representing the firm of E. Lee and Co. In 1890, associated with her brothers, Miss Lee took over the business, which was conducted by them for three years. Having disposed of her interest in this concern, the lady removed to the North Island in 1893, entering into business as a storekeeper at Longburn. The year following she came to Wellington and took page 411 over Quinn's Circulating Library in Molesworth Street, which was afterwards removed to a more central site on Lambton Quay. The well assorted library is now kept on the ground floor, front of the Women's Club. Miss Lee is very popular with those who have the pleasure of her acquaintance. Before leaving Temuka, she commenced to take an interest in politics. Her father, who for two years was chairman of the Arewhenua Town Board always took a great interest in the elections, as a supporter of the Liberal candidates. Since coming to the North Island, and especially since the Act granting the franchise to women was passed, Miss Lee has taken an active part, and was a supporter of the successful candidate for the Palmerston North seat at the general election of 1893. Soon after her arrival in Wellington she joined the Women's Social and Political League, and at one of the meetings of this Society she read a paper on the charitable institutions of the Colony. In the course of her remarks she referred incidentally to the marriage laws, and advocated strict supervision by the State, contending that unworthy couples, and women under twenty or over forty, or men under twenty-five or over forty-five should not, for physical reasons, be allowed to marry. These strictures were severely criticised and commented on by the Auckland Observer and Sydney Bulletin. It is not necessary to say that Miss Lee is a Socialist; she believes in women going into Parliament, and is a strong supporter of the Hon. W. P. Reeves's Undesirable Immigrants Bill, and all labour measures. She is a member of the Anti-Chinese League, and of the Women's Institute, in which she holds the office of assistant-secretary. Recently Miss Lee contributed a thoughtful paper at a meeting of the Citizens' Institute, on the Economic Independence of Women—politically, socially, morally, and legally—which was very favourably received.

Mrs. Grant, Manager of the Women's Club, is the second daughter of Mr. Edward Lee, and widow of the late John Grant, so well known by South Canterbury sheepfarmers in connection with the Willow Bank stud, Temuka. Mrs. Grant is a capable manager, and will devote her services to promote the comfort, happiness and well-being of all who reside at the Women's Club, also of all the members and the visiting public.