DUNEDIN CATHOLIC LITERARY SOCIETY.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXV, Issue 14, 6 August 1897, Page 20

DUNEDIN CATHOLIC LITERARY SOCIETY.

Thi: usual weekly mooting of the above society wis held on Friday evening when tho debate adjourned from the previous week was resumed.

There can be no doubt now that all is over that the subject ma'terof the debate was of too varied a nature for public argument. The different conditions of the two nations— one a monarchy the other a republic— England an old established nation, America comparatively new — these and other allowances required to be made before a fair argument could take place as to the respective claims of the two countries for pre eminence in the way of being leaders in the progress of civilisation during the last (iO year". Members, too, with one or two exceptions, seemed to imagine that the advancement of invention was the very acme of civilisation. However, the debate was a thoroughly enjoyable one, and what must have pleased the senior members was the great interest taken 111 the proceedings by the juniors, nearly all of whom spoke, and spoke well. _^ Mr. McCormack, senior, confined himself to criticising the two countries jn-o and am, and ended by expressing his opinion that France occupied the position of leader in the advance of civilisation.

Mr. F. W. Petre occupied 25 minutes in his reply, and the leader for the United States (Mr. P, Hally) not being present, a division was taken with the result that Mr. F. W. f'etrc's side (British Empire) secured II votes, while Mr. P. Hally's side (United States) scored <J votes. One or two members did not vote. The result was received with applause.

The following gentlemen took part in the debate : Messrs. Cantwell, J. Black, D. Columb, L. Pastorelli, J. Whitty, T. Hus-ev, McCormack, senr.. H. McCormack, J. Hally, S. Columb, J Sjott D O'Neill, J. Hill and Rev. Father Ryan. During the evening apologies for non-attendance were received from his Lordship the Bishop and Rev. Father Murphy (president) also from Messrs. Haughton and Carolin.

On next Friday ovening the society will hold one of their musical evenings in the Christian Brothers' bchoolroo n. A vote of thanks to the chairman (Mr. R. Dobbin) concluded the business.