DUNEDIN.

Western Star, Issue 13, 7 February 1874, Page 5

DUNEDIN.

[fecit cue coeeespokdent.]

The Sabbath desecration furore has broken out: in a new and unexpected place. At the annual meeting of the Athena;um last week, Mr. Stout, M.P.C., who, is vice-president of the institution, brought forward a resolution that the readingroom should be opened for four hours on Sundays. Considerable publicity was given to his intention to bring this matter forward, and there was a very large attendance in consequence. The clerical party mustered in great force —clergymen of the city and clergymen of the country were there —and the Spiritists were about equally conspicuous. It was rather advanced in the evening —close upon 11 o’clock —before the matter came on for discussion, which fact accounts for the fact that there was little or no argument on either side, though I doubt if the meeting had lasted for a week whether there would have been any more argument than there was, seeing that so large a portion of the time was occupied in wrangling and abuse. On the one side, we had the example pointed out of London, some parts of Ireland, Glasgow, and the latest case of Castlemaine, where' reading-rooms have been opened on Sundays with beneficial results. It was contended that the effect of opening our Athenaeum would be to draw away from hotels numbers of young men who frequent the commercial rooms of public-houses on Sundays, and there read the papers which they are unable to see on week days (and, of necessity, misleads to drinking) ; and that the opening of the room would not entail extra work on any of the officers of the institution, as it was contemplated that the members of committee would take charge of the reading-room Sunday about. _ On the other side, it was argued that it was time enough to make such a radical change when there was pressure from without; but the principal opposition came, as might be expected, from the clergy. The Rev. Dr. Stuart led the van. Here is what he said :—“ It was strange that young men could not get a sufficient quantity of intelligence and literature during the six days of the week to tide them over Sunday. With respect to what had been said as to the necessity for the opening of the reading-room on Sunday, those young men who lived in hoarding-houses or hotels had their bedroom to themselves, and that there were plenty of churches, and the noble Town Belt. At the same time, it was an unfair thing to do violence to the religious feeling of a very largo number in this community. .Sunday was a great boon to everyone, and if the institution were to continue to prosper, and the union of the members to continue, they must have some regard for each other’s feelings.” The other gentlemen of the cloth followed in the same strain. Dr. Boseby opposed the resolution, on the ground of expediency. After some fierce wrangling, tho motion was carried by 93 to 81.