LECTURES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9179, 8 October 1888, Page 10

LECTURES.

Professor A. P. Thomas, of the Auckland I University, gave a very interesting illus- | trated lecture on " Microbe Organisms" .'it ' the Auckland Institute on September 10. There was a large attendance of members and visitors. In order to illustrate the lecturo there was a limelight apparatus and a number of other appliances, including ovens, incubators, etc. At its conclusion a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Professor Thomas for his interesting lecture. A descriptive lecture, entitled " A Tour in Palestine," was given on Sept. 14 in the lecture hall of the Y.M.C. Association, by Mr. W. C. McDowell, B.A. There was a crowded attendance. Sir. F. Battley, vicepresident, presided. The proceedings commenced by the Rev. Mr. Taylor offering up prayer, after which the chairman introduced the lecturer in a few appropriate remarks, in which he referred to Sir. McDowell having been one of the steadiest labourers in the work of the institution. The lecture, which was throughout both interesting and instructive, would well bear repetition on a future occasion, and especially to the elder classes of our Sundayschools, as giving them an insight into Eastern life and customs, and popularising sacred history. The limelight views, which illustrated the lecture, were given very effectively, and added to the interest of the lecture. On the motion of Mr. Douglas, seconded by Mr. Buddle, a hearty vote of thanks by acclamation was accorded to the lecturer, as also to the Rev. J. S. Hill, who gave his services in the manipulation of the limelight. Mr. W. H. Draffin delivered a very interesting lecture in the social room of the Young Men's Christian Association on September 18, his subject being that of " Psychology." He explained fully the features of the mysterious property of thought-reading, etc., and gave several very successful experiments while blindfold. At the close of the lecture, a cordial vote of thanks was accorded to Mr. Draffin. At the Pitt-street Wesleyan School-room on September 17 a lecture was delivered by the Rev. A. J. Smith, entitled "An Evening with J. B. Gough," the chair being occupied by the Rev. E. Best. There was a fair attendance. During the evening the choir gave selections of music, and a collection was made in aid of the funds of the Newton Gospel Temperance Mission.

The last of tho winter course of lectures | in connection with the Congregational I Church, Parnell, was delivered on Septem- j ber IS by the Rev. H. M. Livens in the Odd- | fellows' Hall, Manukau Road, which is used I as the Congregational Church. There was j a good attendance, and Dr. Hannay, secre- i tary of the Congregational Union of Eng- j land and Wales, who is at present on a visit to the colony, presided, and briefly addressed the meeting. The subject of the lecture, "Columbus," was dealt with in a very interesting manner, and at the close a cordial vote of thanks was accorded to the rev. lecturer and to the chairman. A descriptive lecture was given on September 25 by Mr. W. C. McDowell, 8.A., in All Saints Schoolroom, in aid of the church funds, entitled " The Jubilee Week in London," and which was illustrated by limelight views. The Rev. W. Calder (incumbent) presided, and introduced the lecturer, who gave a graphic and entertaining account of the Jubilee ceremonies and festivities, of which he was a spectator, and also explained the particulars in connection with the views, which depicted the incidents of the Jubilee fete, as also the leading public buildings and institutions of London, palaces, Houses of Parliament, the Tower, parks and monuments of London, a series of views of Scottish, Irish, continental, Canadian, American, and New Zealand scenery were subsequently given with explanatory descriptions. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the lecturer for his entertaining and instructive lecture. A paper on " Landscape Art" was read before the Auckland Athenaeum on the 22nd September by Mr. C. Blomiield at the rooms, Victoria Arcade. The Rev. C. M. Nelson presided, and there was a large attendance. A lecture on the subject " Scottish Humour," was delivered at the Young Men's Christian Association Rooms, on the 28th September, by the Rev. R. S. West. There was a crowded attendance. Mr. P. McArthur presided. The lecture was a very interesting one, Mr. West treating in happy style of the several phases of Scottish humour, and relating many excellent anecdotes. On the motion of Mr. Moore, a vote of thanks was passed to Mr. West. A programme of musical selections was given during the evening. There was a large attendance at the Burns' Club, Masonic Hall, Newton, on the 13th September, Mr. Wright in the chair. Mr. Blackman gave his seventh paper on the British poets, the subject being " Bloomfield, the English Virgil," in which the struggles and triumphs of the " Farmer's Boy" were minutely traced. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the writer of the paper on the proposition of Captain Mackenzie, seconded by Mr. D. B. Macdonald. A number of English songs were rendered by Mrs. Wright, Miss Clarke, and Messrs. Carter, Lankham, Lyle, and others. Readings were given by Mr. Edmiston. The usual weekly meeting of the Auckland Atheneum was held in the club-room, Victoria Arcade, on September 27, the Rev. C. M. Nelson occupying the chair. Several new members were elected, after which Mrs. Lilly read a paper on "The Ideal Home." The home she referred to was one such as might be possessed by a person with an income of £400 or £500 a year. The paper was followed by a discussion, in which Messrs. Blomfield, J. B. Graham, MeLachlan, and others took part. Two short papers on the same subject were also read by the chairman.