DUNEDIN CATHOLIC LITERARY SOCIETY.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XX, Issue 51, 7 October 1892, Page 19

DUNEDIN CATHOLIC LITERARY SOCIETY.

The usual weekly meeting of the above Society was held in the Christian Brothers' school on Wednesday, September 29. Tbe president, (Father Ljnch), occupied the chair. Tbere was a large attendance of members and visitors. The rev President asked bis Lordship the Bishop to introduce Mr Stott to the meeting. Tbe Bishop said it gave him great pleasure to introduce Mr Stott. That gentleman had been kind enough to prepare an essay for the Society ,*nd his Lordship, was sure the members would appreciate the production. Mr Stott read an essiy on " The Buller Gorges." Mr J. B. Callan proposed a vote ot thanks to the essayist and said Mr Stott was an enthusiast in walking over picturesque New Zealand. An honour was conferred on the Society by a gentleman of Mr Stott's ability reading an essay to the members. He had great pleasure in moving a vote of thanks, and he had greater pleasure in proposing him ac a member of the Society. Mr P. Hally seconded the vote of thanks. He said tbe essay was instructive, amosing and interesting. He thought New Zealand was tbe wonderland of tbe world, and when its beautiful scenery gains the reputation it deserves people will come from all parts of the world to admire the wonderful work of nature. His Lordship the Bisbop said tbe essay was simply beyond criticism. Mr Stotfs description of the Buller Gorge was graphic and intelligent. The Rev Father O'Leary endorsed all that had been said. It gave him great pleasure to be present. He was pleased to know that the young men in Dunedin had such excellent advantages of improving themselves. The benefits of such a society as the Dunedin Catholic Literary Society could not be too highly commended. The rev President (Father Lyncb), in conveying tbe thanks of tbe members to Mr Stott, referred in complimentary terms to tbe subject matter of tbe essay. He asked tbe members to compliment Mr Stott by making a departure from their rules and elect him on the evening of bis nomination. Mr D. Falkner read a paper on " A Trip to the West Coast by Coacb and Bail. 1 ' Mr John A. Hally also contributed an essay. He choße for bis subject " Cremation and Christianity." Mr Carol' n was exceedingly pleased with the two essays. Mr Falkner bad a clear, flowing style, and the stories and anecdotes interspersed made bis contribution amusing as well as instructive. He was taken completely by surprise by Mr Hally, who treated his subject in a manner which reflected credit on him. The essay contained a deal of information with reference to the teaching of the Catholic Church on cremation. Mr Carolin proposed a vote of thanks to the two gentlemen.

Mr James lager, in seconding the Tote of thanks, said he enjoyed Mr Falkner's contribution very, much. He gave a good description of the country he. travelled over when on his visit to the West Coast. The literary merit of Mr Hally*! paper was praiseworthy. Hitherto he, had been an advocate of cremation, but he plainly aaw that the Church was antagonistic to that doctrine, and of course he must bow in submission. Mr Mooney also commented on the essays, and oongratulattd the essayists on the excellence of their work. His Lordship the Bishop said it gave him great pleasure to listen to essays written by two young men whom he probably taught at school. The manner in which the two papers on entirely, different subjects were treated spoke of the exoellent education, they, received ; and profited by at the bands of the Christian Brothers. Mr Falkner's eemy was well written, and with the exception of the name of one river was geographically correct. He was more than satisfied with Mr Hally, who handled bis subject from a Catholic standpoint. With regard to the teaching of the Church in reference to cremation, Mr Hally was right in every particular. The usual compliment to the chairman concluded the meeting.