CANTERBURY CATHOLIC LITERARY SOCIETY

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XVI, Issue 11, 6 July 1888, Page 23

CANTERBURY CATHOLIC LITERARY SOCIETY

Ov account of Mr. Lonargan's departure, and unknown to him, the meeting on Tuesday evening, June 19, assumed the form of a social gathering. The ohjVcts were to honour Mr. Lonargan, to afford members an opportunity of thanking him for the services he bad rendered to the Society, and to present him with ao illuminated addre«s and some present!. The rooms were decorated with evergreeni and flags. A Vice- President presided, and fifty members wert present ; amongst the visitors being Fathers O'Donnell, Brien, and Halbwachs, and Bros. Joseph and Herbert. Letters of apology were received from the Be?. Father Kickham, Mr. W. Hoban, and from others. Refreshments were provided, and the Soaiety'i brais band under the leadership of Mr. Mohr, attended. The usual loyal) patriotic, and special toasts were honoured. Some of the speeches made were excellent. Bongs, recitations, and a cornet solo by Mr. Mohr, were likewise given. The party broke up at a late hour, having spent a most enjoyable evening. The address presented runs at follows :— " To R. P. Lon^rgan, liq., President. 11 Dear Bir,— On your departure from amongst us we fe«l that we, and the whole Catholic community, are losing one wko has always been a true friend. For this reason we beg to tender our sincereat gratitude for the manner in which you have sacrificed yourself in the interests of the Society. At the time you took office, two years ago, the Society was almost sleeping in oblivion, while, owing to yonr indefatigable efforts, it now numbers 110 members, and is in a flourishing coadition. It would be impossible to enumerate the many good wo.ks that are the result of your labours. Amongst others, the bund, which by yomr praiseworthy efforts, aided by the efforts of the Hibernian Society in handing over their instruments, on your intercession, is alike a credit to yourself and to its members. The decorum which has sver marked the meetings of the Society best testifies to your gentlemanly qualities. Ton have alwaya instilled into the minds of members, both by word and example, the lore of that faith to

which we have the privilege to belong, and ilk the same manner imparted to na that patriotic feeling rankiaf next to holy faith, namely, the lore of the land of oar forefathers, the island of saints and tcholars. We earnestly hope, with yourself, that the oppositions to that noble caaee, self-government for Ireland, are the last rays of the aan fait sinking below the horizon, are when tbat golden orb of light shall rise on the next morn it will ebed the sunbams of justice, prosperity, and happiness on every Irish home. We are also very grateful to your devoted brother, Mr T. M. Lonargan, for the many tangible benefits we have received from him. la conclusion, we unite in wishing yon health, happiness, and prosperity. We are sure this alight memento will call to your mind, when in a far distant land, tbs many pleasant occasions we have spent together, and we earnestly bop* that the tide of yonr fortune may once more waft you to this III* of the Pacific. — We beg to sign ourselves, W. O'Shaughnessy, Frederipk Milner, W. McMana way, Vice- Presidents ; B.O'Shaughnessy, Booretary ; W. Courtney, Librarian." Tuesday evening, June 22.— 0n this occasion 23 members attended, and his Lordship Dr. Grimes not only honoured the Society with bis pretence, but presided for the most part of the evening. At tbe request of his Lordship, Mr. Lonargan kindly consented to retain the office of President until his departure. Mr. B. O'Connor, junr., was elected a member, and Mr. F. Mehoney nominated for membership. A balance-sheet and report from the bandmaster, one from tbe bandsergeant, and another from tbe librarian were read, — Mr. Lonargan having spoken at some length of the objects of the Society, his Lordship addressed the meeting. In the course of his remarks his Lordship •aid tbat he was satisfied with the position of the Society, as evinced by the balance-sheet and the other reports just read, that as long as the words " Catholic " and " Literary," forming the Society's glorious same, were not misnomers, the institution would receive his warmest encouragement and tbat of his clergy, and that a Society truly Catholic ami literary demanded, and ought to obtain, the unanimous rapport of all the parish. He was aware that the Society was at present purely literary, but he approved of a fair amount of innocent amusement taking place under its auspices, and related a beautiful story of St. John the Evangelist and one of Sc. Philip Neri, showing that some recreation should be joined to study. He said that members could never err in imitating a St. Philip Neri, and exhorted them to be really devout and Catholic. If they proved true to tbeir faith, they must deserve, and would obtain, universal esteem, and would become, what Catholic youth should be, a power in the land. — Mr. Lonargan thanked his Lordship for his visit. — A vote of thanks was accorded to the retiring officers. The meeting then terminated.