DUNEDIN CATHOLIC LITERARY SOCIETY.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXI, Issue 20, 15 September 1893, Page 15

DUNEDIN CATHOLIC LITERARY SOCIETY.

TH« weekly metting was held on Wednesday, the 6th inst, but on account of the bad weather the attendance waa a good deal below the arerage. The president occupied the chair. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. It was decided to re-ad jonrn the debate till the next meetine 13th September. A difficulty then arose as to how those present would pass the waning, until a prominent member was noticed assiduously selling some tickets. Another notable mtmber inbisted on prosecuting him Without delay for what he considered an indictable offence. Mr Michael Miller, V.P., was appointed judge, Mr F. Cantwell, V.P , Crown Prosecutor, and Mr James Marlow, Counsel for the defence. " The accused who gave his name as W. H. McKeay, junior, pleaded not guilty to the charge. Mr Cantwell in opening the case ■aid the prosecutor (Mr J. Eager) on making his appearance at the meeting was accosted by the accused and the ticket produced praised on him, and was told that payment of a shilling conld be made again. On examination the ticket proved to be for a Melbourne art-union of the Australian Hibernian Society, and was of no apparent value. Sevtral other members bad been similarly victimiaed by accused, whose conduct learned counsel denounced in scathing terms, and appealed to the judge to make an example of him and thoi assist in stamping out this practice of selling art-union tickets which had nothing to recommend it, bat certainly deserved the deepest condemnation. Evidence for the prosecution was given by Messrs J. P. Eager, P. Hally, P. Carolio, T. D. Waters, and Messrs John A. Geerin, B. Fergosson and Thomas J. Lynch were called for the defence. Some extraordinary statements were made by these witnesses under cross-examination which evoked much laughter. The judge in summing up said the accused was evidently a very undesirable cbaracttr to h»ve at large. Considering his voath and previous good conduct he would be allowed out on probation, but ■honld the offence be committed again condign punishment would be meted out. A vote of thanks to the chair brought a very enjoyable evening to a close.