DUNEDIN CATHOLIC LITERARY SOCIETY.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XX, Issue 45, 26 August 1892, Page 18

DUNEDIN CATHOLIC LITERARY SOCIETY.

Thb usual weekly meeting of the above Society was held in the Christian Brothers' school on Wednesday evening, August 24. The chair was occupied by the president (Father Lynoh). There was a large attendance of members and visitors. His Lordship the Most Rev Dr Moran was present daring the evening. The preliminary business having been concluded, Mr Haughton proposed the following resolution — "That this Society desires to express regret at the death of Judge Broad, an eminent member of the Church in New Zealand, an able writer and a distinguished lawyer. That the president be requested to forward a copy of this resolution to Mrs Broad, with an assurance of their deep sympathy in her great affliction." In moving the above, Mr Hanghton said that the Church and literary society in the Colony had experienced a great loss in the death of Mr Broad, whose career of honour and usefulness had been so suddenly terminated. He bad known the late Judge for nearly thirty years, and he desired that the members of the Society chonld draw a lesson from bis life. Coming to New Zealand withont influential connections in the Colony, and with very small means, he bad raised himself by industry, ability, and, above all, by hit high character, to the position he attained. He was an earnest, practical Catholic, and to this, in the speaker's opinion, he owed in no slight measure his conspicuous success. He could say no more at this time ; it was with the greatest pain that he spoke upon the subject, Mr Broad having been, perhaps, the oldest personal friend he bad in New Zealand. He waa sure, however, that the death of this good man would be deplored by every member of the Church. His Lordship the Bishop, in seconding the resolution, endorsed all that Mr Haughton had s»id. He stated that be also knew the late Judge Broad personally. For the last 20 years he bad watched with interest his career, and thought all that time he acted up to his convictions as a good Catholic. He did an immense amount of good for the Catholic population of New Zealand, and was instrumental in bringing to a completion many good works. He went on to say that when a history of New Zealand would be written a brilliant page will be devoted to the life of Judge Broad for the services he rendered to the Catholic Church and the legal profession in New Zealand. He concluded by trusting that this resolution would be carried unanimously, and would be the means of bringing some consolation to his bereaved family. Mr J. B. Gal lan spoke to the motion, and said although he was not intimately acquainted with Judge Broad be was shocked at the announcement of bis sudden death, He said the deceased gentleman was highly respected io the legal profession, and bad written three or four works on law. When it isjeonsidered that these works were written when he was a County Court judge, and constantly travelling, some idea may be formed of his industry and assiduity. The works referred to were of great benefit to the legal profession of New Zealand. Mr F. W. Petre also supported the resolution, and said he first met Jndge Broad on the West Coast. His circuit then extended to Invtrcargill. He could bear testimony to the industry and attention that was paid by him to his duties. He was a genial, companionable, and deeply-read gentleman. Mr Petre said he could not let this opportunity pass without expressing his regret at the sudden death of this eminent Catholic. The rev president, in putting the resolution to the meeting, said that the death of Judge Broad Bhould be regretted by all, and more especially by the Catholics of New Zealand for whom he had done so much. The motion was carried nnanimously. Mr James Eager read an essay on " Ireland and Irish missionaries." He traced the history of religion introduced into many countries of Europe, and pointed out all that Ireland had dona for the continental universities— Germany in particular. His Lordship congratulated Mr Eager on his excellent paper, and said he wa9 sure the members were very grateful to him. The Rev Father O'Donnell (Milton) read a paper on " Charles Kickham." The contribution was a scholarly production, and one that must bave entailed no email amount of labour on the part of the essayist. Charles Joseph Hickam was born at Mdlinahone, County Tipperary in 1830. During the earlier years of bis life he was noted for his intelligence and integrity. While he was yet young the story

of the wrongs of Ireland, the unjost laws, and the tales of woe would make his blood thrill. Father O'Donnell said that it oan be imagined how bis heart bounded at the thought of striking a blow at despotism when he took part in the '48 movement and later in the Fenian movement. When he was 13 yean of age he aoet with an accident through which be was deprived of his hearing, and it is probably to this accident we owe many of bis fine productions both in prose and verse. The essayist said his writings were a true portrayal of the Irish character, and quoted extracts comparing him to Lover and Lever much to the detriment of the latter authors. He said Lover caricatured the Irish people and priests, whereas Kickham was correct in every particular. The paper throughout was interesting, instructive, and humorous. The anecdotes were very appropriate, and a large portion of the paper was devoted to the political state of Ireland during the years 1810 and subsequently. Mr 0. E. Hanghtoo, M.A., moved a vote of thanks to Father O'Donnell for his paper. He said it was an able paper, and contained a vast amount of information. The literary merit of the essay was of a very high order, and it was well designed and ablj written. Mr J. B. Callan, in seconding the vote of thanks, said the reason why Irishmen speak with so much bitterness against England was on account of the treatment Ireland's tenants had received from England and English landlords. He said one of the causes of Ireland being so near Home Bule to-day was the number of persons who were turned out of their homes by the " crowbar " brigade, and obliged to go to America and Australia. The exiles in these far lands proved them* selves loyal to their country by the amount of money they sent to be expended in the cause. Mr F, W. Petre said he was converted to Home Bale 25 years ago. He said in England the tenant and landlord met each other in a purely business-like manner, and a tenant leaving a farm in England was entitled to compensation for improvements, whereas in Ireland, instead of being compensated, the tenant was obliged to pay more rent to the unscrupulous landlord. Mr p . Carolin listened to the paper with a great amount of pleasure. He had been reared among the Irish peasantry, and the subject matter brought back to him vividly the recollections of his boyhood days. Mr P. Hally said he had heard the Irish delegates on two occasions in Dunedin, but had learned more from Father O'Donnell of the history and ways of Ireland than from these Parliamentary orators. Mr James Eager was pleased that Father O'Donnell bad mentioned Lover's name in comparison to Eickham. He thought that the Irish character as described by Lover was exaggerated and un. true. Mr H. F. Mooney said the paper was one of the ablest and best read papers delivered before the Society this session. He was much surprised at Mr Eager's utterances with regard to Lover. He said that it was only at the last meeting Mr Eager went into raptures over a selection from " Paddy at Bea." Mr Mooney thought the members should be consiatent in what they give expression to before theSociety, and not be like a weathercock — changing with the wind. Mr Eager endeavoured to explain the position he took up but hardly succeeded. The passage-at-arms between these gentlemen earned considerable amusement. The customary compliment to the chairman terminated the meeting. The debate " Should Home Bule be granted to Ireland," will be opened on Wednesday, September 7, Mr H. F. Mooney leads the affirmative and Mr P. Hally the negative side of the question.