CANTERBURY CATHOLIC LITERARY SOCIETY.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XII, Issue 14, 25 July 1884, Page 7

CANTERBURY CATHOLIC LITERARY SOCIETY.

Christchurch, July 19. At the usual weekly meeting of the Above society on Monday evening, July 14, one candidate was Dominated for election on next meeting night. A discussion then took place as to the advisability of insuiing the books and furniture, which resulted in the Council being directed to do so. The programme for -the evening was to be an address by Mr. Curr, but, as that gentleman did not put in an appearance, it had to be filled up with the reading of •' original papers," which two of the members had kindly prepared in case of such a contingency. Mr. O'Connor then read a very able and exhaustive paper on " Success," in which he showed that there was no royal road to prosperity, save by attention to business, sobriety, and integrity. The industrious and diligentare sooner or later bound to succeed, as itnaight be truly laid that success is the chijd of perseverance. Jn conclusion, he impreised on the members the necessity of persevering in their efforts to make the Society the success which it ought to be— a result which could be only achieved by regular attendance, and inducing their friends to join its ranks. Mr. Loughnan complimented Mr. O'Connor on the style of his paper, and the' practical advice contained in it. He conaidered it wa&much to be regretted that young men, generally Bpeaking, ignore the way to success by perseverance and industry, and leave the making of their fortune to luck, which rarely assists them. Mr. Kennedy then read a paper on '• Recreation," in which he showed that brain workers stand much more in need of relaxation from their usual avocations than those who employ the physical system. It wa9 necessary for man's peace of mind and health of body that^ he should engage in labour of some sort, a* no toil, how» ever laborious, is co distressing as the ennui of the indolent among the wealthy classes. Key. Father Bj^ers, Messrs. Walsh and Loaghnan favourably criticised the paper. As there was yet some time before the close of the meeting, Mr. Scanlon suggested that the discussion regarding a paper on novels read some few weeks ago before the Society, be resumed. This was agreed to, and an interesting discussion then took place aa to the effect produced on the minds of their readers by novelists, especially those of the present day. Messrs. Scanlon, Loughnan, O'Oonnor, and Kennedy took part in it ; at the conclusion of which the meetiug was closed with prayer in the usual manner.