DUNEDIN CATHOLIC LITERARY SOCIETY.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXIII, Issue 27, 1 November 1895, Page 29

DUNEDIN CATHOLIC LITERARY SOCIETY.

The session of this Society for 1895 terminated on Wednesday evening, with a very pleasant social given in St Joseph's Bchoolroom, which, for the occasion— by the aid of a quantity of handsome furniture lent by Messrs Bcoallar and Chisholm, and a number of flags placed at the disposal of the Society by Mr Button, of tbe Garrison Hall, acd some other adornments — had been converted into a very luxurious drawing-room. There was a large company present — the ball being completely filled.

The Very Bey Father Lyrch, on behalf of the Society, wel. corned the guests, and then a well-selected programme was com. menced. Miss Josephine Macedo opened with an overture, " Bedouin Lore Bong," performed as a pianoforte solo. The young lady's performance was admirable — leaving nothing, in touch, execution, or expression that could possibly be desired. Mr J. Woods followed with a long in which his sonorous bass was heard to great advantage. Mrs Mooney, in character, and with the aid of Messrs J. Geerin and Miles — who acquitted themselves with credit— gave the scene in which Lady Macbeth reads her husband's letter, and afterwards receives him in person. Tbe lady's representation of tbe part was extremely clevtr, and proved her to be possessed of very considerable dramatic powers of tbe higher kind. She afterwards gave, with even greate r success, the more difficult sleep-walking scene— for which she was oalled by the audience before tbe curtain And loudly applauded. Misa Miscall, a pupil of tbe Dominican Nuns, sang very sweetly and with good expression the ''Kerry Dance," and, in response to an encore "The Better Land." "How we be»t the favourite," wbb recited by Mr Marlow, in a manner that pleased all his hearers, and aroused tbe sporting spirit of some of them, who evidently only lacked the opportunity to back the event. Mr P. Carolin, very acceptably, as it appeared, s«rg, " Biiy MavoureeD," and, in answer to a loudly demanded encore, " Adieu Maiie." In the interval creature comforts, in tbe shape of tea, ccfl e, cakes, and sandwiches, were liberally and acceptably administered — agreeable conversation the while being freely indulged in.

The second part of tbe programme opened with a duet (Nocturne) for tenor and contralto very tunefully sung by Mue R. Drumm and Mr E. Eager. Any disposition towards an excess of hilarity that may have lingered among the audience was then very effectually elected by tbe recitation ' Out where the dead men lie." Mr H. McCormack who recited theße gruesome verses is to be congratulated on attaining tbe true sepulchral pitch. Mrs W. A. Woods next gave a relief to tbe oppression of the company by a sweet acd touching interrelation of the Bong " Oalvaiy," and " True till the last," was capitally sung by Mr W. A. Woods. Items not on tbe programme, bat which well deserved % place there, were a piano solo by Miss M . Drumm and a song by E. Dunne. The Misses Macedo and Drumm actet respectively with gieat success throughout the evening as accompanists.

On the conclusion of tie performance Father Lynch Bpoke a few words in recognition of the pleasure given by the various performers and the kind attendance of the guests who bad been invited — not forgetting, at the Bame time, the services of those who bad so comfortably ministered to (he wants of the inner man. He declared the session closed for the year, but announced the appearance of some of the members of the Society at an early date, when they would perform a play — to wit the " Colleen Bawn " the proceeds to b e devoted to the fund for the erection of the hall so much to he d< sired. The very rev speaker added that he hoped their entertainment neit year would take place in the new building— a hope that evoked a hearty round of applause. The company then separated expressing themselves under obligations to their hosts of tbe Literary Society and well pleased with their evening.