DUNEDIN CATHOLIC ASSOCIATION.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume VI, Issue 314, 25 April 1879, Page 19

DUNEDIN CATHOLIC ASSOCIATION.

This Association has now been in. existence for some four months, and has, so far, proved an unqualified success, and well worthy of the patronage of all classes of Catholics, both young. aad old. Its membership at the present time numbers close upoti 200, and has every sign of increasing. The rooms of the Association are situated in the Octagon, next the Athenteum, and directly opposite the new Town Hall, a more central site could, not have been obtained in the city. The rooms are open every day from 12 noon to 2 p.m., and from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., on Saturdays from 12 noon to 10 p.m. and on Sundays from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. They comprise a reading and debating room, a smoking room, and a committee and library room. The reading room is a fine, large, and commodious room, and affords every facility for reading and debating purposes ; it is well supplied with papers and periodicals, Catholic and secular, including publications of every town and city in New Zealand, and also a plentiful supply of Australian, American, and Home papers, which arrive regularly by every mail. The Tablet and other papers are filed for reference. The library at the present time contains upwards of 400 volumes, comprising historical, biographical, religious, fictiou, and other works. The smoking room is well fitted tip with every convenience, and on the tables are a splendid assortment of chess, draughts, and other games too numerous to mention. As the long winter nights are now coming on apace, there is no doubt but that this room will be well patronised during that period. We are informed that classes will shortly be established in connection with the Association, and that debates will be introduced, which will then be carried on at regular intervals. There are many reasons why this valuable institution should be supported by the Catholic population ; and particularly so now, when there are so many young men rising up, who in a few years time will be expected to represent the Catholic community, both socially and politically. Various other reasons could be brought forward, but we have not at present time or space at our disposal to enumerate them, suffice it to say that we hope when again speaking of this society, we may be in a position to chronicle the fact that it has more than doubled its membership, and that its position is firm both financially and otherwise. In conclusion, we must bear testimony to the energy and earnestness displayed by the hon. secretary and committee in founding this very useful institute, which has already been the means of uniting our Catholic young men in that social bond of literary intercourse and amusement which will be remembered in years to come with pleasure and delight. We wish to sec it further extended, and would urge upon all Catholics the benefits to be deiived from having such a society in our midst,