THE DUNEDIN ATHENÆUM.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14440, 5 February 1909, Page 3

THE DUNEDIN ATHENÆUM.

Sir., —I would like to compliment the members of llx" above institution ;iikl the committee on the favourable report submittal to the annual meeting on -Monday evening. ] wish, however, to remark on one or two points which were not touched upon. I refer more particularly to that part of the vice-president's address where lie expresses regret that the winter series of lectures had -proved unprofitable, and would not 1)0 continued. (Jueiy, what win the cause of their non-success? Probably the subject-matter was not entertaining' or some other reason. 1 would recomiiifiul that the why awl the wherefore of the whole subject bo reconsidered by) tJie committee, i think they should look beyond the financial aspect of the ipiestion. I think tliat lectures on educational subjects oittdrt to he. encouraged in every way. Sucii subjects as astronomy, geology, biography, ]>oh'rfcal economy, etc., etc., ought to be, and are, very interesting to our young men and young women. Headings from Shakespeare, from Dickcnt, or some other authors would lie very attractive. ;\ Debating Club would he appreciated: a Judge and Jury Club would no doubt draw a large attendance. I. think it i-s the duty of everyone, as fatas he can, to encourage by every means in his jiowcr anything which tends to encourage literature a.nd learning of any

; kind. The siiliscrihcrs io the Athenaeum I have il in their j>ower to do much in this | direct ion, at very lit.i lo expense: they 1 have the rnoin and oilier conveniences— , choirs, tables, cti-. Many young men I would gladly ciiiue forward and give lecI Hues if cmoimitied io do so, and il would J he an educalion to them as well as to the j audiences. I ilo not at all see why it. shmiM not realise a profit instead of a. loss, hut it would require to be carried out with spirit. I'erhaus some other member of the institute could make further sugges- ! 1 ions on the subject. Why should not the.

j members of the AtheiifPtim look forward | to the time when they could afford io ! give prises to scholars, or even to bestow- ! ing selKilarships?—l am, etc., j Hunedin, February 2. .TlTSius.