DUNEDIN D.L.F. LITERARY AND DEBATING CLUB.

Otago Witness, Issue 2810, 22 January 1908, Page 93

DUNEDIN D.L.F. LITERARY AND DEBATING CLUB.

j Motto: "Union is Strength." The usual weekly meeting of the above club was held on Tuesday,, the 14th January. Emerald presided over a. very fair meeting, and during the " evening we were honoured by a visit from Dot. Our post-bag contained letters from Eoby, Texas Jack, Lady Esler, and Oreta. From Boby we were particularly glad to hear, and her masterly contribution just showed us how great and helpful her support could be. Her paper, "Pen Trials', ' waß a revelation in., essay-writing, and undoubtedly was one of the cleverest articles we have had from Roby's pen,, and this is saying a great deal. Boby, through illness, has' been compelled to be careful with her p«n of late, «nd her "Pen Trials" may be said to contain all the sympathy, love, and support that have relieved weary hours from the stored-up sweetness of her postbag. Roby's essay will be published in the Special Club Number. Texas Jack's letter was characteristic of the writer, inasmuch as every sentence contained some humour. It was a skilful record 1 of incidents, accidents, adventures, etc., all blended in such a fashion as to make life in a quiet place exciting. Much luck and merriment in Romahapa, chum, is the club's wish to you. Areta, writing from Queenstown, gave us an admirable sketch of her Tambles among the cold lakes. Our thanks, comrade, for your interesting letter, and our wish is for your speedy return to club life. Lady Esler kindTy forwarded an interesting letter touching on many topics of interest to the club. The President notified the club of Stan's transfer to Queenstown, which we understand is advancement in his calling. The President and others of the club spoke in praise of Stan's many good qualities 1 end his capacity as an energetic worker. He lias been as constant as irregular hours of work would permit, and his interest in all club affairs was most enthusiastic. His services to the club have been inestimahle, and his loss, will be keenly felt. It was resolved that the secretary— be~- instructed to writ© a letter of congratulation conveying the club's best wishes for his welfare. To the club Cornish conveyed the sad news of bereavement in Awkward Ned's family circle. Recognising that in such cases brevity is the truest form of sympathy, it was resolved after a few expressions of sorrow, that the secretary convey the sympathy of the meeting. Through this report I ara instructed to convey to the Invercargill Club the heartiest congratulations of our club on the election of such a powerful committee; and to the oommittee itself our very best wishes that their duties may be pleasant. The final arrangements for the interclub debate were discussed, and as this concluded the preliminary business of the evening the readings to which the evening was allotted in the- syllabus were proceeded with. The following contributed to the success of the meeting, and from the title of the various readings an idea of the contribution may be gained: — Cyclo, "Sow Doo,ley Quits His Job"; Never Fret, "A Yankee Trick"; Larkspur, "Casey and the Man"; Emerald, • "Talk on Shopping and People of Note." ; Cornish, "A Pantomime Trick and a. Collection of Bulbs'." The readings were exclusively of a humorous character, and although the wit enclosed wes not brilliant or spark- | ling, one did not need me feelings of an ! optimist to enjoy them. ! Emerald gave notice that she would move the following motion next Tuesday evening: i That the club open at 8 p.m. instead of 7.30 p.m. as at present. The present time of commencing is unsatisfactory, a condi- [ tion due to toe long summer evenings and the natural tendency of young people to- enI joy th© waning ..hours' of daylight in openair freedom. A-t the committee meeting, held at the 1 conolusion of the meeting, the follbwing sy.llabus for February wa-s compiled: — Febi ruary 4. debate ("Which has done more for tie world, Science- or Literature?"); February 11, "An Evening With Your Favourite Author" ; February 18, debate ("Do Anim*ls Possess- Seasoning Powers?"); February 25, Open Meeting. The next meeting country members are invited to contribute to is Open Meeting, January 28. CORNISH, Hon. Sec..