DEVONPORT LITERARY INSTITUTE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume X, Issue 3602, 28 May 1873, Page 3

DEVONPORT LITERARY INSTITUTE.

The first session of this now institution on the North Shore was inaugurated last evening, by anentertainment, musical and literary, in the Devonport Hall. A programme of great variety wai provided. The first item was a pianoforte duet, very niecly played by two young ladies. Mr. G. M. Reed occupied the chair, and delivered the inaugural address, lie explained the objects which the promoters of the Institute had iu establishing it. In the first place it might be thought that the title was somewhat ambitious. It would be more properly described as ji mutual improvement and entertainment soeieLy. In assurance of the last, part of the object in view, ho was glad to observe a number of ladies and gentlemen, who had come to the meeting to give the ndvant ago of their musical ability to thut inaugural meeting. Thoir future meetings would, he doubted, not bo characterised by like entertainments. Another feature in connection with the Institute would be an essay and discussion class. He thought that one of the chief duties of such a society was to teach the youth, especially the young men, how to express themselves with explicitnesa and force. Iu new countries, it wa» impossible to say at what moment a young man might be called upon to express himself, either in the assertion or the vindication of bis opinions. It had been asked, since the announcement of the meeting, whether a similar class were to be formed for the benefit of ladies. He thought there was no necessity for any such undertaking. (Laughter.) He had never in his life heard of an instance of a lady who was not perfectly able to speak her mind. (Laughter.) Another feature would be the library, which would be open twice a-week. At present it was the day of small things, but he had every hopes the present collection of books was the nucleus of a permanent library. [The speaker explained the rules of the library.] Another feature, and not the least important, or uttractive one, would bo the series of winter lectures. He hud every bopo thut these would be fully as attractive as those given at the " other side of the water," in connection with the Young Men's Christiau Association. He was happy to announce that the Ven. Archdeacon Maunscll had promised to deliver hia popular lecture, "The Gentleman," in that Hall. (Cheers.) He observed a long and varied programme, and he would not detain the meeting further with any remarks. Q-lee by the Orpheus Club; song, "Thy voice is near," by a lady amateur.—The Rer. J. Bates read an address " On Relicß," which was followed by a pianoforte solo, and Bong, "fiing out the Wild Bella," by a lady, in its turn followed by a comic song " Down among the Coals." —Mr. 0. L. H. Joy delivered an address upon " The Improvement of the Mind," in which

he exhorted the yound men to be studious, because the time would come when the; educated man would take the leading position! in the colony. He recommended the new' classes formed by the Education Board to the; attention of young men. He deprecated the j indiscriminate reading of trashy novels, but; to stand by the grand old masters of the 1 English language and composition —Milton, j Wordsworth, and the works known as English! classics. The learned gentleman's address was received with very great applause.—This address was followed bj' a glee, and an address from Mr. H. Lusk, who was introduced to the meeting as " a gentleman whom he hoped to see before another twelve months, the chief magistrate of tho province." (Cheers.^ —An addreßß was delivered by the Rev. Mr. Mackenzie, on the " Use and abuse of books and one by Mr. W. L. Rees.—Several songs were rendered by the young ladies of the district.—A voto of thanks were passed to the Orpheus Club, the ladies, the speakers, and the chairman. The proceedings concluded with the National Anthem.