WELLINGTON-STREET LITERARY INSTITUTE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume III, Issue 847, 1 August 1866, Page 5

WELLINGTON-STREET LITERARY INSTITUTE.

Jloxiuy evening being the anniversary of the opening of this popular place of amusement, was celebrated by n soiree in the hall in Wel-lington-street, although the weather was very unfavourable in the afternoon, the room was crowded by the time the tea was placed on the table. Four large tables were laid the whole length of the room, and theso were rilled with a joyous and happy looking company. The gallery and ptage were likewise filled, but numerous as were the applicants for the favors of the fair presidents of the tables, their wants were fully and promptly attended to. Shortly after eight o'clock the tables were cleared away. Air. John Sit.eehan was then unanimously voted to the chair, and called upon' the choir to give the " Soldier's Chorus," which was rendered with much effect, and was highly applauded. Mr. Siieehan then rose and addressed the audience in a short and very humorous speech. He explained the object for which the meeting had been called together, which was principally that himself and liis colleagues might give somo account of their stewardship during the past year. .He thought the public were entitled to know what they did with the money they obtained from soirees and other operations, which they carried on during the year, inasmuch as rhey looked to the public for support and countenance in their undertaking. In societies of this hind, formed of young men of slender means, it was requisite that they should have annual gatherings of this kind so as to approach the pockets of their friends, not only to pay past expenses, but to provide for' future wants ; and the experience they had derived in connection with the last soiree had been of stich a nature as to determine them not to ueglect to have annual gatherings of this kind. In a small society like this, one having solely for its object literary pursuits, which were not attractive to the general public, it was very likely that they would be forgotton, and were it not for such annual gatherings as these, it was possiblo that they might sink into oblivion. The speaker then went on to explain the objects of the society. It was r society composed mainly of young men, of the Catholic community brought together for the purpose of literary improvement, The objects principally held in view were to induct the members in the art of speaking in public— to recite properly —and fitting them for taking a part in the debates at public meetings, and so generally elevating the tone of their minds, and giving them a position which, probably, they otherwise might not have occupied. These meetiugs were of use for bringing people .together for literary purposes, and introducing them to many good and wise books, from which they might be debarred by their own means altogether,—and by means of such societies as thcse.doficiencics of education were amply made up. One branch of the objects of the institute was the recitation class, and it had this additional recommendation, that within its bosom were gathered young men of every creed and persuasion, and on that ground alone it was a class entitled to the support of the public. He might state that in all their meetings, of whatever kind they might be, they carefully avoided religious discussions. There had been many important discussions entered into during the year. The great Fenian movement had been discussed, and a loyal and patriotic resolution unanimously arrived at. There had been a discussion on the question whether militia and volunteers were entitled to receive grants of land ; and the question now on the tapis was the relative advantages of celibacy and matrimony. The future prospects of the Society looked bright, and he thought he was warranted in saying that the past progress would continue for the future; for it possessed within itself the elements of success. He deplored the facL that very few of the Catholic youth had enrolled themselves as members of the institute, and appealed to the young ladies to compel them to join, advising them not to receive the addresses of any young man, until lie had given satisfactory proof of his being a member of the institute. Keferring to the pecuniary position of the society, lie mentioned that there was a debt on the building of £400 on mortgage ; but as the time of that mortgage hud not expired, he did not fear that they would be able to pay that off in due course. A con*

sidcrable revenue Lad been derived during the past year, for renting the nail out for public purposes, the total amount realised being £63. Oat of that they had paid current expenses and intorest on mortgage to the amount o( £ftC> 10s., leaving a balance on' the wrong side of the cash book of £3 10s. At tlie soiree; held en the 30th Jul}', last year, the total receipts were £50, and the expenses £IS, the balance of £32 was expended for the scats in the hall. There were

now thirty bond fide members belonging to the institute; and the library contained about 350 volumes, while the circulation of books amongst the members was more than doubled. Altogether he thought the affairs of the society were in a flourishing condition, and with these remarks he would conclude. The first item on tlio programme was a duett entitled " The Slower Gatherers," by Misses Shanaghan and Donovan, which was rendered very sweetly, and with a thorough appreciation of the music, Miss Donovan's voice being very rich and powerful. Both ladies appeared to be in good voice, and the piece was concluded amidst much applause. .Next followed " The Death of .Nelson," by Mr. Yates, a young amateur, possessing a beautiful tenor voice. The recitative at the commencement of tlie ron'p; was extremely well rendered, although the singer was suffering from the remnaut of a severe cold. Tlie interest of tlie audience increased as the song proceeded ; and tho final stanzas, in a plaintive minor key, were given with a feeling and pathos which plainly showed that the singer fully appreciated the difficult piece he had selected. An encore was loudly demanded, btit Mr. Yates not feeling competent to do more, declined to attempt anything else. A simple ballad, " Somebody cares for me," was then given by Miss Sutherland. The song is of a piquant, humorous kind, and the music gay and sprightly, arid i\J iss Sutherland did

justice to both, the conclusion of each verse being highly applauded, and an encore demauded. which the fair cautatrico gracefully acknowledged by repeating the last verse. Mr. Donovan then spoke on tho advantages of an Institute of this description ; and its tendency to give a high moral tone to the character of its members. Miss Sheehan then sang " Kathleen Mavourneen " very sweetly, but it would have had a much better effect had the singer come to the front of the stage, her rich voice being deadened by the fiats and wing's of the stage. The choir next sang the chorus " Pawn of Da}'," after which followed a duett, " Tho Cousins," by Miss Sutherland and Miss E. Griffin. The latter young lady made her debut before the public in this piece, and certainly appeared to have a just appreciation of the part assigned her, which was that of a pretended modest young lady scolding her cousin for being a flirt, while the event proved that she was the greater flirt of tlie two. 'i he whole was given iu a very sprightly manner, although we thought Miss Griffin towards the conclusion strained a little too much. This, however, a little practice will remedy, and if she sings naturally she will sing well. An encore was demanded, and the duett was repeated. Mr. Carroll followed with a recitation entitled " The Bashful Man," and the relation of the ludicrous succession of accidents and mal-apropos incidents which befell him gave full employment to the risible muscles of tlie audience for fully a quarter of an hour. The next song was by Miss Donovan, and entitled " The Lonely ffarp," after which Mr. Henderson gave " The Old Sexton."

Mr. Sjtanaoitan then addressed the meeting. He thanked the ladies who had provided the tables, and thanked the Indies and gentleman who had catered for the satisfaction of their ears. He then went on in a few words to speak of sociability one of the nltributes of man not enjoyed by beasts, and urged tho necessity of social intercourse among persons of every denomination. The .National Anthem was then sun ? by the whole of the audience, after which tho seats were removed, and the younger portion of the audienco enjoyed a dance until midnight, when the party dispersed, highly pleased with their evening's amusement. Miss Shanahgan presided at the pianoforte.