GERALDINE LITERARY AND DEBATING SOCIETY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1931, 17 August 1889, Page 3

GERALDINE LITERARY AND DEBATING SOCIETY.

A concert to inaugurate the opening Vf the above society was held in the Mechanics’ Institute on Wednesday evening. The admission to the game was free, the object of the promoters being to draw the public together in order that the aims of the gociety might be placed before them and ite interests thereby promoted, The former object was undoubtedly secured, as'the institute was packed with a large and intelligent audience. Mr J. Ailken, 8.A., president of the society, occupied the chair, and explained that the society had been formed with a view of enabling more especially the young men of the place to spend an entertaining and profitable evening, and also to assist them to express their thoughts in public. The latter be thought was a very desirable object, as it was often a stepping stone to great honors for a man to be able to express himself fluently and to the point before a public meeting. Societies such as'the one just formed would go far to assist young men in attaining that object, and would serve to rub off the awkwardness and angularities that proved (Such a hindrance to many. He issued a cordial invitation to all the 'masculine portion of the audience present to join the society. The rules of .the society, it was explained, prevented ladies joining, but there was an open •night to be held once a month to which ladies would be welcome. The fee for tbo season bad been fixed as low as possible, namely, 2 r 6d. He then asked the treasurer Mt, A. Y. Fergusson, to take tbe chair as he, Mr Aitken, was engaged in various items in the programme, Mr Fergusson complied with this request. The first item on the programme was a glee, “Tell me Flora,” by a parly of ladies and gentlemen, under the leadership of Mr T. Sherratt. Song, Mr Moule, “ Climbing up do Golden Stairs”; reading, comic, Mr T. Sherratt, “Colonel Beings”; song. Miss Andrews, “ 0 Fair Dove ” ; song, Miss Dunlop, “ Good-bye Summer ” ; reading, comic, Mr Aitken, “ How Mr Perkiv- Gave a Becitotion.” Tbe Kev. Geo, Barclay said he was gratified to find that such a society as the one proposed had been started. Such societies caused young men and others to take a greater interest in political and local interests, and tended to foster a love of reading and intellectual culture. He noticed by the papers that there were a -number of such societies springing up all over New Zealand. He remembered puch a one in Aberdeenshire, in Scotland, and quite, a number of boys, who turned out alunvonls to be cinineui men, belonged to it and received their stimulus for intellectual pursuits by being members of it. Such societies tended to enlarge tbo intelligence of the people. They enabled men to conceive ideas, and express theugnts tint were of benefit not only to themselves but to others, Ho should be very glad to see a largo number of persons become members, He did not approve of the ladies being debarred from membership,

as he thought their presence would do a deal of good in such an association. Ee would be very glad to see the society become highly prosperous. Song, Mr H. W. Moore; song, Mrs U. N. Hiskene, “ Love’s Legacy.” The Rev, Jas. Preston alsa spoke a few words, expressing the hope that the promoters would succeed in obtaining a large roll of members, and he would be glad to assist the association in any way he could. . Song, Mr Logan, “ Powder Monkey Joe ”; glee, by glee parly, “Awake iEolean Lyre.” A very hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Miss Alice Fish for presiding at the piano during the evening. 'Xho singing of the National Anthem terminated the gathering. A good many of those present afterwards banded in their names as members.