ST MATTHEWS DEBATING SOCIETY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 124, 3 June 1885, Page 4

ST MATTHEWS DEBATING SOCIETY.

Thk inaugural meeting in connection with St. Matthew's Literary and Dobating Socioty was hold on Monday ovoning. There was a fair attendance,tho audionco including sovoral ladies. Kov, W. Tobbs, President of tho Socioty, occupied tho chair.—Tho Chairman said thoy had fixed upon an unfortunate night tor thoir opening meeting. That evening was also tho ono choson for tho inaugural mooting of tho Auckland Institute, tho Brosident of which (Mr Pond) was ono of thoir Committeemen. Another of their Committeemen (Mr Doonin) was not in good health, nnd theroforo unable to go out in tho cold. Thoir Vico President (Ur. Dawson), too had been called upon to attona a child that was supposed to be dying, and it was therefore probable ho would not be ablo to reach tho meeting before its closo. His abeonce was tho more unfortunnto from tho fact that ho was to havo delivered the inaugural address. Tlu Chairman thon proceeded to urge upon his hearers tho advantages of connection with a socioty of this kind, St, Matthew's Literary and Dobating Society, ho said, was not oxclusive, and thoro woro no religious or political tests to entitle young men to bocomo mombors. They would be glad to soo amongst thoir mombors any young men who were dosirous of montal improvement. Thoro wore in tho colonies very few vantage fields where young men could come togother for -jocial intercourse and interchange of ideas, Tho speaker proceeded to refer to tho fact that thero were many men of Ifnf! versity education whose sphere of usefulness in tho world might be benefited by association with a socioty of this kind. Thenviews would bo broadened and their minds enlightened by contact with their fellows, but they lived to themselves to such an oxtent that they did everything by book, and were, ho might say, all at angles, running ever in a certain groove, and perfectly unlit to mingle with their fellow men. In our course through lifo, too, it was necessary that wo should all havo a certain amount of personal influence, and this end was attained by tho development of social qualities resulting from the interchange of thoughts and ideas between men of different shades of opinion. Societies of this kind were vuluablo in fostering good fellowship, in providing us with friends valuable, in after life, in giving us the profitable company of other men,in bringing us into contact with other mtnds, and in givipg us other thoughts. Ho urged thoso present who were not already members to join tho Society at once. The meeting then proceeded to tho arrangement of a programme for tho fortnightly meetings. Papers were promised on tho following subjects i—" Fires and thoir Extinction," "Astronomy," " Spectrum Annly.ia," "Water," "Hailways.'' It was agreed that tho ladies of the parish bo invited to bocome honorary incm'bcj-s,and it was understood that an endeavour would be made to arrange a challenge debate with one of the sister societios. It was also decided to have a spelling bee, in which members of other societies should be invited to compete, and to dovot-e evenings to prize tales and prize essays. The ladies were also requested to provide a musical evening during tho session, and a resolution was passed inviting J.)r, Dawson to give his inaugural address at the next meeting.