CHRISTCHURCH CATHOLIC YOUNG MEN'S LITERARY SOCIETY.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume VII, Issue 375, 25 June 1880, Page 9

CHRISTCHURCH CATHOLIC YOUNG MEN'S LITERARY SOCIETY.

In accordance with a resolution passed at the last quarterly meeting (10th inst.) of the above society, the election of the officers for the ensuing six months, took place at last Wednesday's meeting. The following members were elected : — Mr. D. O'Sullivan, President ; Mr. W. Hoban, Vice-President ; Mr. J. Barrett, Secretary ; Mr. J. O'Connell, Treasurer ; Mr. A. Adams, Librarian ; Mr. Foster, General Steward ; Messrs. T. Leahy and D. CConnell, Auditors. It had been a rule of the Eociety that the term of office be twelve months ; but as it was considered that elections at shorter intervals would have a more stimulating effect, half-yearly appointments have been resolved upon. After the installation of the new officers, the Eev. Father Devoy thanked the outgoing staff for the zeal and earnestness with which they had carried on the business for the past six months. He congratulated the brothers on the new selections they had made, and said he was sure the next term would be marked- by much progress. It was then announced to the meeting that Mr. L. "W. Gegan had kindly made arrangements for giving them a Telephonic Entertainment. A wire had been laid between St. Patrick's Hall and their reading room, and some of the members being at each of these places, an interesting conversation was kept up between both ends of the wiie. In response to a call from the reading room, a song was sung at the hall ; in return, a cornet solo was bad from the former, and answered again with a tune on the flageolet from the latter. Before the entertainment, Mr. Gegan gave a short lecture on electromaenetism, and the working of the telephone. By means of some of the instruments nsed in telegraphy, the lecturer gave very clear illustrations of the several parts of his subject. His showing how a bell is rung by electricity was so clear that that most ingenious contrivance seemed simple, and of how a gun is fired by the same means, attracted throughout the keen attention of his audience. Mr. Gegan's clear and forcible n anner of conveying himself seemed to be fully appreciated, and he was several times applauded during the time of his lecture. It is to be regretted that he had to contract it, owing to a considerable part of the evening having been taken up by the business of the society. But I trust that-it is only the first of a series on the .same subject, as I have no doubt it could be much enlarged upon. The want of occasional lectures on scientific and literary subjects has all along been felt in this society ; and, without touching on the questionable point as to whether they are amongst the best means for improving young men who6e previous knowledge of such matters may, generally speaking, be said to be meagre, it must be admitted that lectures on popular subjects, such as that above recorded, would give it both impetus and standing, and be a much needed change to the monotony of an every-week repetition of the same routine business. A eociety for the mutual improvement of Catholic young men who had to leave school at perhaps an early age, is well deserving the support of those who can give the assistance necessary to the attainment of its design?. By the kindness of the Rev. Father Ginaty, and the zeal of its spirit nsl director, Eev. Father Devoy. it has a nicelyfitted reading room, and a tolerably well stocked libra? y. It has, thereby, overcome seme of the most trying oifficulties that usually stand in the wny of young- institutions of this sort. But other difficulties havr bc-et its path. It is composed, or perhaps I should Bay, it waß composed, in gnat part of many young members, who were prone to seek loi Tccrf ation in unproductive and frivolous pastimes, rather thtn the l?-stinp benefits of its library. The rules of the society admit of ami>ein< nt and that will not interfere with its aim to inspire numbers with an elevated tone of thought and sentiment. But when these means of enjoyment aie devoid of newness, they seem to become the dry matter-of-fact business of each week ; debates, declamations, and readings, lose their freshness, and members seek other sources of recreation. Pence it is that Christy minstrel clubs and their merry antics have thinned its ranks. If the example set by Mr. Gegan were followed by other gentlemen, those of its members who have a taste for literary or scientific

subjects would have it encouraged ; and those who had been metn-. ' bers would learn that there is a more profitable wav to spend an* evening than in trying to become adepts in clog dancing ; and that an hour given to Bourke or Goldsmith, is a more elevated occupation than blackening one* face, and imitating the contortions and buffoonery of a nigger minstrel troupe. ~ A Member.