DUNEDIN CATHOLIC YOUNG MEN'S SOCIETY.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume V, Issue 263, 17 May 1878, Page 9

DUNEDIN CATHOLIC YOUNG MEN'S SOCIETY.

The ordinary weekly meeting of this Soiicty was held on Friday -evening last. The chair was occupied by the President, Bro. A. H. ! Norman: and there was nearly a full muster of members, present. After the usual routine of business had been disposed of, the Historical Class, under the charge of the Rev. P. O'Leary, commenced its' first night's work. As nearly all the members had signified their intention of joining this class,. some good things were expected of them ■which expections were fully realised. As every member is allowed to nsc whatever History he thinks most fit, the result was that a great deal of information, especially with regard to the minor points, which =are omitted by some of the authors, was brought to bear on the subject, viz., the life and times of William the Conqueror. The majority of the members had evidently studied well their task, and some of them must be complimented on their excellent memories, for the long list of dates they had at their fingcr's-end was truly astonishing Although the subject was well ventilated on Friday evening, it is not tisyet completely exhausted, and William the Conquerer, his life times, and contemporaries, is announced for the next class night. After the class had terminated, a discussion was held, in which the accounts of the different historians were compared, and the inferred deductions drawn from them wore anything but favourable to the character of William of Normandy. The general opinion of the members with reference to him seemed to be that, whilst possessing an iron will and indomitable courage, he was yet ambitious, tyrannous selfish, hypocritical, and cruel. Altogether the Society may be congratulated on the formation of this interesting class, which will add another to the'many benefits that are to be derived from membership of this useful institute.