Beginner's Question: Can I instantiate a controller from within a controller to access member functions?

[eluser]Unknown[/eluser]
Hey CI,

Basically I was wondering if it would be better to create a helper for this functionality or dig to find out if the following is possible:

Code:

class Index extends Controller{

       var $persist = array();

       function __construct()
       {
              parent::Controller();
              $persist['item'] = $this->mycontroller->myfunction();
       }

Thanks for your help