LITERARY SOCIETIES-(Contd.)
The other Maple member, but he was elected despite his opposition. Office bearers elected were: Hon. Secretary, Dr. Cantlie; Hon. Treasurer, Mr. E. Robinson; Reference Committee, Rev. W. Jennings, Messrs. W. Judd, J. J. Francis, C. Ford and G. H. B. Wright. On the motion of Dr. Cantlie, seconded by Mr. T. H. Whitehead, Mr. A. MacClymont was appointed vice-president of the Society. At the close of the meeting most of those present were enrolled as members.
The first meeting of the resuscitated Literary Society was held in the City Hall, and was attended by a bishop, several other "intellectual individuals". The next meeting took place in a smaller room, the reporter who covered the meeting facetiously remarking "the bishop and y of the leading lights being elsewhere,
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The old trouble of securing speakers was cropping up again by this time, but meetings continued to be held at irregular intervals. The third meeting was held in Bank Building and the first session came to a close on April 15, 1889, at the sixth meeting.
Alas for Dr. Cantlie's aspirations. The Hongkong Literary Society died again. Its bones must have been decently buried, for as far as I can gather, it never again emerged from its coffin of lethargy.
Monday's article will deal with the Odd Volumes Society, founded in 1893.
Following the collapse of a number of literary and debating societies in the very early days of the Colony, (see yesterday) there was started in 1893, an association which was destined to have a longer and more fruitful life than any of its predecessors.
This was the Odd Volumes Society, the moving spirit of which was Dr. (later Sir James) Cantlie, who was prominently connected with the Hongkong Literary Society when it was resuscitated in 1888.
The activities of Odd Volumes consisted partly of the reading of papers to members, and partly of impromptu debates on subjects which were suddenly sprung upon speakers. At these debates, the opener was expected to speak for five minutes and the seconder for three minutes.
For many years the Hon. Sir Henry (then Mr.) Pollock was honorary secretary of the Society.
According to the first minute books, a meeting of gentlemen interested in the formation of a literary, scientific and debating society was held on February 1, 1893 at Dr. Cantlie's rooms, Bank Building, for the purpose of considering whether such a scheme was practicable or desirable.
Mr. S. B. J. Skertchly, F.G.S., M.A.I., late of H.M. Geological Survey, England was voted to the chair, and a committee consisting of Messrs. Skertchly, W. C. Barlow and Sidney Jeffrey was appointed to inquire into the matter and submit definite proposals to a later meeting.
Dr. Cantlie occupied the chair at the second meeting, and Mr. Jeffrey proposed that a Society be formed and known as the Hongkong Odd Volumes. Rules and regulations were explained and the Society was forthwith inaugurated.
Dr. Cantlie was the first President, and Mr. Sidney Jeffrey was appointed first hon. secretary and treasurer. Messrs. Skertchly, Barlow and the Rev. R. F. Cobbold were elected to the committee.
Lectures were divided into two sections: scientific and general. During the first year Mr. Skertchly delivered six lectures on the geological history of Hongkong and a course of lectures on Evolution as applied to Man.
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