THE CANTERBURY CATHOLIC LITERARY SOCIETY.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume IX, Issue 457, 13 January 1882, Page 11

THE CANTERBURY CATHOLIC LITERARY SOCIETY.

His Lobdship the Bishop of Wellington, who is now in Canterbury, attended on Monday evening, January 9th, a meeting of the Canterbury Catholic Literary Society. Our readers are already aware of the establishment and of the objects of this Society, which will, we trust, go on and prosper. On the occasion referred to the President (Mr. W. M. Maskell) presented to his Lordship the following address, which speaks for itself and shows clearly what the Society has been doing and intends to do :—: —

"January 9th, 1882. " To His Lordship the Bishop of Wellington. " May it please your Lordship, — " We, the Council and members of the Canterbury Catholic Literary Society, willingly take advantage of your Lordship's visit to this parish to express to you our grateful thanks for your kindness in accepting the office of patron of our Society. Desirous as we have always been of submitting ourselves to Catholic authority, and of ensuring for our work the sanction of the Church it has been au additional incentive to our endeavours to know that our rules and our proceedings have been favoured with the approbation of your Lordship.

•' Your Lordship is aware, from the preamble to uur rules, of the objects which the Literary Society has had in view — namely, the instruction and proper entertainment of the Catholics of this district. In pursuance of these objects we have, siuce our establishment six months ago, held weekly meetings, at which lectures and addresses have been delivered by several of our members, original essays on various topics have been read, questions cf public interest have be'.>n discussed in regular debates, and entertainments of different kinds (in wbish we have receivei valuable assistance from non-Catholic friends) have been provided for our members. la addition, our rooina have been open on other evenings for games of chess and draughts and for socUl conversation : and we are endeavouring to establish musical and dramatic sections of the society in order to provide further sources of amusement and intarest. It is also in contemplation that during the coming winter months evening classes should be set on foot in different branches of study.

'• It is with great regret that we find ourselves unable to address your Lordship on this occasion iv a room properly adapted to the wishes and tae necessities of our society. It will be apparent to your Lordship that the room in which we aro now assembled is totally inadequate for our purposes, and we regret also to state that we fear the

want of proper aicomraodation has had. and may continue to have, an injurious effect upon our members, and consequently upon our success. Established in June last, with a foundation of 27 members, our roll at the present time contains 94 names. The average attendance at our weekly meetings has been about 35. These members, in consideration of the fact that the Catholic male population of the parish of Christchurch alone is probably not less than 1600, cannot be said to be sufficient, and we arc obliged to conclude that the want of proper accommodation is one principal obstacle in our way, more especially as we are thereby very greatly hampered in our endeavours to provide that variety of entertainment which is, it may be Baid, almost a necessity for such a society as ours. We have now, however, good reason to hope that, on the next occasion when your Lordship may honour us with your presence amongst us, we may be enabled to welcome you in a room which may be at once suited to our own purposes and worthy of your visit as oar patron. " We may also be permitted to express the hope that amongst the evidences of our progress and success may soon be found a sufficient and well-selected library, a means of instruction and enjoyment which is, we think, of paramount importance. Of such a library we possess now only the nucleus.

"Iq concluding this brief record of pur position, of our proposals, of our objects and of our necessities) we beg once more to heartily thank your Lordship for your kindness in becoming our patron and in appearing amongst us this evening, and to humbly express our earnest hope that you may be long permitted to govern and direct us as Bishop of this diocese ; and if, under your Lordship's patronage and supremacy, we. the Canterbury Catholic Literary Society, may be permitted by Divine Providence to help, in ever so small a way, in preserving Catholic faith, Catholic practice and Catholic unanimity in New Zealand, we shall at least feel that our endeavours have not been thrown away, and that our existence has not been without advantage to the cause of God and of His Church. It is in the hope of such a result that we beg now to subscribe curBelves. " Your Lordship's humble and grateful servants, " On behalf of the Canterbury Catholic Literary Society, " W. M. Maskkll, J.P., President. " R. H. Vincent, Vice- President. ''Joseph B. Sheath, Sec. and Trea. " F. Milner, Librarian. "P. Doyle, M.D. ) "W. B. Pebceval { •' D. O'Sdllivan V Councillors. " H. H. LOUGHNAN I c> G. J. SBLLAKS J " Christchurch." His Lordship the Bishop expressed his thanks for the address, wishing the Society success in its endeavours, showing what good such a society can do when properly organised, as be felt sure t3his one was. He exhorted its members to pull well together and bear up against any difficulties or inconveniences it may experience at first, as great things had small beginnings, and he again wished them every blessing and success. The programme of the evening was now proceeded with : Mr. R. A. Loughnan giving a very lucid, clear, and interesting 1 ctur • on music, and Mr. J. W. Kennedy reading an original paper on " Ireland and the Catholic Faith," which called for loud plaudits at times from the meeting, and merited some very eulogistic remarks from bis Lordship. This concluding the business of the evening bis Lordship closed the meeting with prayer, The President then called for three cheers for the Bishop, which were given in a really hearty manner.