DUNEDIN CATHOLIC YOUNG MEN'S SOCIETY

New Zealand Tablet, Volume V, Issue 258, 12 April 1878, Page 9

DUNEDIN CATHOLIC YOUNG MEN'S SOCIETY

The meetings of this favourite institution keep up to their usual standard of excellence and attendance, and the meeting on Friday evening last was no exception to the rule. Bro. W. Cunningham occupied the chair, and a large amount of business, chiefly dealing with monetary matters was disposed of during the evening. Mr. James Connelly was elected a working, and Mr. Hall an honorary member of the Society, two nominations were received for the following meeting. On the motion of Bros. Corrigan and Daniel it was resolved, that a, set of vestments be presented to the late spiritual director the Rev. Father Crowley as some slight return of gratitudefor past favours. The motion was caried unanimously, and the numerous complimentary remarks made by the members, testify to the high esteem, in which they hold the Rev. Father, and the deep sense of gratitude they feel is due to him. We understand that arrangements were made, whereby the Rev. Father would be placed in possession of the vestments on the following day. On .the motion of Bros. Daniel and Cotter, a vote of thanks was accorded to St. Joseph's Branch of the H.A.C.8.5., for part payment of Mr. Macedo's claim on the old Juvenile Contingent Library, it was resolved that the D.C.Y.M.S pay the balance. After certain members had (in accordance with the custom) been deputed to visit the Industrial School on the following Sunday, for the purpose of! catechising the Catholic inmates, the business proper of the Society, viz.,- mutual improvement, was entered upon. A paper by Bro. Eager, detailing the history of tobacco pipes from the earliest times to the introduction of meerschaum, was very well written, and a deal of curious information with reference to the habits of smokers of the olden times was derived from it. AYe strongly advise Bro. Eager to practice essay writing, for we feel sure, if he does so, he will be able to produce papers of a highly creditable nature. A recitation and reading rendered by Bros. J. Daniel and R. A. Ihmne respectively, received fall justice at their hands. During the course of the evening, the secretary suggested that, correspondence be opened with the various Young Men's Societies throughout N.Z., with a view of interchanging essays, or like papers of an interesting nature between the various societies. He thought that, this scheme would tend to bring the societies into more intimate relationship with each other, would offer an additional inducement to each individual member to excel in essay writing, and would also place the whole Catholic talent of New Zealand at the disposal of each society. After a short time, if the scheme worked smoothly, it might, be made to embrace Victoria, and, in fact, all Australasia. The suggestion was well received, but owing to the lateness of the hour no disenssion as to its merits and demerits was entered upon, it being thought advisable to postpone it until the following meeting. We hope the scheme will not be allowed to fall through, as the many benefits to be derived from it must be apparent to the most casual observer.