CATHOLIC READING-ROOM AND LITERARY SOCIETY.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 777, 21 January 1887, Page 10

CATHOLIC READING-ROOM AND LITERARY SOCIETY.

The second yearly meeting of the Catholic Literary Society was held at the Athenseum last evening week. There was a large attendance, amongst those present being the Right Rev Bishop Redwood and tie Catholic clergy of Wellington, The business of the meeting was the reading and adoption of the annual report and balauce-slieet. The report

was read by Mr F. T. O’Neil, an<L stated that the Council regretted that they were unable to congratulate the subscribers, the progress of the Society not being so great as in 18S5. The membership was 185 at present, as compared with 210 at the last annual meeting, andof these 53belonged to the ladies’ branch. The library consisted of 854 volumes. An addition of 246 volumes had been made to the library during the past year. The Council wished especially to thank the Honorary Secretary, Treasurer, and Librarian, all of whom had been indefatigable in their efforts for the promotion of the Society. In accordance with rule 6, the President, two Vice-Presidents, four members of the Council, the Secretary and Treasurer, retire from office ; Dr Cahill and Mr Maskell were the Retiring Vice-Presidents, and Messrs Collins, Devine, Healy, and Treanore, the retiring Councillors. All were eligible for re-election. The Council were hopeful that with the infusion of new blood into the new Council, and by the efforts now being made to popularise the Society during the coming year, the next report would show the Society in a more flourishing condition. The report was received with applause and adopted. During the evening, short addresses were delivered l by Bishop Redwood, patron of the Society, and by the Hon Dr Grace, president. The following programme was also gone through; and was very much appreciated:—Part songs, “ Wanderer’s night song,” and “ O summer eve,” St. Mary’s Choir ; song, “Red Cross,” Miss McDonald; piano solo (selected), Miss McArdle ; song, “Father O’Flynn,”" Mr Newton ; piano solo (selected). Miss J. McDonald; song, “Warrior bold,” Mr Treanore; song, “ I am waitin ',” Mrs Swift; song, “ The old and young Marie,” Mr Rowe ; part songs, “ Parting kiss,” St. Mary’s Choir. Miss McDonald sang her song very sweetly, and narrowly escaped' an encore. Mrs Swift, who was in capital voi .e, was encored, and Messrs Rowe and Newton were the recipients of a like honor. Mr Rowe, in response, fairly eclipsed himself by his singing of “ Tom Bowling.” The part songs were also a> feature in the entertainment. The musical portion of the programme was under the direction of MrPutnam, and the result was, as usual when he manages, a musical treat. To the untiring: and courteous secretary, Mr O’Neil, the success of the gathering is to be attributed, and it will no doubt be very gratifying to him: tofind his labors crowned with such: results.