DELEGATES ENTERTAINED.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 780, 1 April 1910, Page 2

DELEGATES ENTERTAINED.

HIBERNIAN SENTIMENTS. A largo number of gentlemen, and nioro than a sprinkling of • Indtes, sat down at the Hibernian Society's banquet in the Municipal Concert Chamber last night. The function was in honour of the officers and delegates attending the conference. Mr. J. W. Callaghan (president of the ,looai branch) presided, and amongst those present were representatives of other friendly societies, and several of the Roman Catholio clergy. Apologies for absence were received from Arohbishop Redwood, the Mayor (Dr. Newman), and others, Mr. Martin Kennedy, K.S.G., in proposing the toast . of "The H.A.C.B. Sooioty," said he realised that of all the numerous 60oietio6 connected .with the

Catholic Church, the Hibernian Societywas one of the most useful. It tended to make its members tetter citizens and better Catholics. The society was flourishing, and increasing as it deserved to do, and its finances were in a sound condition. Bro, P. J. Nerheny (district president, Auckland) responded. Bro. Kano (district secretary, Auckland), in his response Mid that in the year 1886, when the society in New Zealand was started, it luil total district ' and branch funds amounting ■ to about J230C0, and about 1000 members. To-day there were 2706 members in New Zealand, aiid the total funds were .£23,401. It was ' highly satisfactory that the society, notwithstanding that it recruited its mem. bers from only one community, had madd 6uch grand progress. It. was affiliated to the society in the Commonwealth, .and . the' total niembership in Australasia was 30,000, with funds totalling .£219,000. .:.. The chairman, in proposing "The Delegates," expressed pleasure Vat seeing among the delegates a priest and two ■ ladies.' The policy of encouraging ladies to join the society and participate in its control, was bound to bo productive Of good. -.'■;■ Mr. J. J. Marlow. (Dunedin). the Hon, W. Beehan, M.L.C. (Auckland), and Mr. 11. Casey (West Coast) also responded. Mr. i. 3. Devine, in aft eloquent speech, proposed "Our Chaplains and the Clergy" ' . The Eev. Father O'Shea, Vicar-General, said that every Catholic, young man. ■ should belong to the Hibernian Society. It was almost a crime for any young man not to join a friendly society. ' The Eev. Father Venning (chaplain of the Wellington branch) said' that th* increase of membership in New Zealand in the last six months was 300, whioh Was Very good progress, but seeing that there were 55,0W Catholics in New Zealand between the ages of 15 and 40, there should be at least 6000 members of th« Hibernian Society. " '■ The Eev. Father Hoibrook (chaplain of the Auckland branch), and the Bev, Father Hickebn (chaplain of the Thonw don branch) also responded. .. "Kindred Societies'' was the toast proposed by Bro. H. M'Keown, and cordiat responses were made by Messrs. J. N.j Grant (Druids), B. Fletcher (Drm& aad] Foresters), H. ShapCott (Foresters), andi ■• IV Fathers (Kechabites). "The Ladies" (proposed by Bro. . TV Pound, Bro. L. O. Hooker "The Press" (proposed by Bro. T. Pen 3 der), and "The Chairman" (proposed by} .'■ Bro. M.»J. Sheahan)were also toasted. During [ the. evening songs and recital tions were given by-Misses- Baunin an<f 1 1 . Tregonning, Messrs. C. Hickmott, J,' F. Carr, and L. Walker, and Haste? Christie, a piccolo solo by Mr. Minififl ' and an. Irish jig by MrJ P. Barry.