Y.M.C.A.

Evening Star, Issue 12870, 20 July 1906, Page 4

Y.M.C.A.

One of the fruits of the relieved activity ■which the local branch of the Y.M.C.A. have been imbued with U thy resuscitation of their Literary and Debating Society. No meetings of this description -were organised last winter, but a new syllabus has been peprwd. and an excellent send-off was given.it last night, when Mr A. H. Burton delivered ft lecture on Dickens. It was what is termed an open night—i.e., the meeting was not confined to members. The seating capacity of the Y.M.C.A. Hall was severely taxed, the audience conipiising about 100 of both sexes The chair was taken by Mr H. D. Bedford, who, besides introducing l the lecturer, congratulated the society on having organised such an excellent syllabus, and spoke of the benefits of a debating society in helping young men to gain experience in platform speaking. Mr Burton then entered on his part of the entertainment, which consisted of readings from the 'Christmas Carol,' prefaced by a few introductory remarks on Dickens. Mr Burton is so well known to Dunedin audiences aa a thoroughly sympathetic and capable exporent of Dickens that it would be idle to enlarge on his lecture. Suffice it to say that for over an hour and a-half he held the attention and sympathy of his audience. His interpretation drew frequent and cordial applause, and at the conclusion he was accorded a hearty vote of thanks. The fixtures on the syllabus (which extends over three months) include conversation evenings, impromptu speeches, debates, etc., while another "open evening" will be he-id in August, whet, Mr A. Wilson, M.A., will lecture on Shakespeare