CANTERBURY CATHOLIC LITERARY SOCIETY.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XII, Issue 8, 13 June 1884, Page 23

CANTERBURY CATHOLIC LITERARY SOCIETY.

In , a.- - a , Christcborch, June 7. IThe annual meeting of the members of the above Society took place Ton Monday evening, June 2. There was a very good attendance. Two candidates for membership were balloted for, tnd duly elected The members then proceeded to the election of a President and VicePresident for the ensuing year in the room of Messrs. Maskell and Perceval, the former of whom is about to leave for Wellington, and the latter has gone Home. Mr. O'Connor and Mr. Leahv were elected to nil these respective positions. Nominations were then received for the offices of Secretary, Librarian, and three vacancies in the Council, the election to take place at next meeting. At this stage of the proceedings the retiring President vacated the chair, which was taken by the Preside at»elect. Mr. O"Connor thanked the members for the honour conferred on him by placing him at the head of their Society— a position for which he was not at all ambitious, as he would labour under a great disadvantage iv coraiug after the talented and able gentlemen who preceded him ; still he would do his utmost to study the interest of the Society, and he hoped the members would bear with him in his shortcomings, help him by their advice, and give him the assistance of a good Council. In conclusion, so long as he had their confidence be would strive earnestly to carry out their wishes, "but. if he found that he did not possess this, he would make room for a more suitable man. Mr. Maskell then delivered the annual address, which was as usual remarkable for its comprehensiveness, vigour, and outspoken style m dealing with the events of the past twelve months, esoecially those matters which have particular interest for all Catholics.* Mr. Loughnan, senr., as the oldest member present, rose to thank \ the retiring President for his exhaustive and flowery address In » consequence of his absence from the Colony, he was not aware ef the progress which the Society had made until he heard of it on that evening. This progress, he had no doubt, was due to the ability and zeal of their President, and it was only right that they should express their sorrow at his departure from amongst them . Mr. Nolan had very great pleasure in supporting the remarks just made by the last speaker. He remembered very well when some three years since, he sat at the table with Mr. Maskell, drawine up and framing rules for this Society, and since then he was well aware with what care and solicitude the President watched over its growth. A duty now devolved on him which he was sorry had not fallen to abler hands, and that was to piesent the following address to Mr. Maskeil, who, he hoped, would not look on it as a formal affair, but the genuine outcome of gratitude for the services rendered to the Society. Mr. Nolan then read the following address, which was tastefully illuminated and framed :—: — J '• Presented to W. M. Maskell. Esq., by the members of the Canterbury Catholic Literary Society. " Deab Sir,— lt is with more than ordinary regret that we feel called upon to-night to discharge the painful duty of biddino- you farewell, previous to youc depaiture from Curistchurch. We would indeed be wanting in gratitude were we to allow this occasion to pass without testifying our appreciation for the zeal aud great ability which you have displayed iv conducting this Society through its many and great difficulties, since its foundation. To us yoifbave been even more than a President, aud it is to your learning and talent as much as to your wisdom and urbanity in fulfilling the duties, that the present success of this Society may be attributed. The energies of a stioug will, and the resources of a cultivated intellect have, beyond ail dispute, placed this Society in the front rank of kindred i:t,titutions in this Co.'ouy, aud we ieel, therefore, that we have cause for biucere regret in being called upon so soon to elect another to ocicm y the chair, which you have so ably filled during the last three year-*. "in conclusion, we take this opportunity of assuring you that, in leaving Christchuicb, you cairy with you the best wishes and the most feneut prayers of the membeis of this Society, and we hope that your ability and talent will meet with the reward which they undoubtedly deserve. " Signed on behalf of the metubeis (Heie follow the signatures of the officers and Council of the Literary Society.) " Christchuroh, June 9, ISS4." Mr. Maskell, in replying, said that he did not know of anything which he had done to merit this, beyond what was his duty as President. Doubtless the success in the past was due, not so much to him, as to the energy of the officers, from whom he received nothing but constant kindness. He would always look back on the three year* during which be was connected with the Society, as the happiest of his life, and he would be always reminded of those times when he looked on this address -reminded of how he came to form the acquaintance of so many Catholics of ChrUtchurch, whose friendship he esteemed, aud which he would have never experienced were it not tor his connection with the Society. After a few brief remarks from the Key. Father Bowers and Mr. O Connor, the meeting was closed with prayer in the usual manner. J