HIBERNIAN SOCIETY.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 969, 9 November 1910, Page 5

HIBERNIAN SOCIETY.

TWO OLD MEMBERS HONOURED. Members of the St. Patrick's branch, No. 95, of the Hibernian Society and the ladies' branch, gathered in force last evening at St. Patrick's Hall, Boulcott Street, to do honour to two of the oldest members of the.society in New Zealand —Bros. Michael Bohan, P.P., and Ed-mond-Carrigan, J.P., P.P. Bro. W. J. Feeney presided. The Rev. Father Venning, S.M; (chaplain), unveiled two enlarged photographs of Bros. Bohau and Carrigan, which the society are going to hang in the meetingroom, and in a little speech referred in glowing ■ terms to the many good and sterling qualities of their honoured brothers. . ..

Bro. Bohan is one of the founder® of the Hibernian Society in New Zealand, having been one of those who made requisition for ' the establishment of the first branch of the society in New Zealand. This branch, was established in Charleston, West Coast, in 1869, simultaneously with the opening of the Addison's Flat branch. Bro. Bohan was elected the first president of the Charleston branch, and lays claim to the distinction of being the first elected president of the Hibernian Society jn New Zealand, as the first president of the Addisori's Flat branch was appointed for a month by tho deputy from Ballarat (Bro. Byron), which in those days was the head offico of the society in Australasia. Some time after Brc Bohan came to Wellington, and, m 187-1,. was instrumental in having tho Wellington branch formed, lo save the expense of bringing an officer, from Australia to open the branch, Bro. Bohan was duly invested with that power, and performed the ceremony on October 6, 1874, and has been actively connected with the society ever since having filled the president's' chair on several-occasions, and was the treasurer (after the resignation of that office by the lato Bro. Alexander M'Donald) for a term of 17 years. Bro. Carrigan was initiated into the society at WelliiMon on March 9, 1577, and has been continuously in office from that date, having filled every office in the societv, and is now senior trustee of tho society. Feeling reference was made to tho recent death of one of the members of tho society, viz., the late Bro. .Tas. R. Harriss. He was connected with the society from 1896, and was held in high esteem by members. As a mark of respect the officers wore mourning, and a motion of condolence with his widow and family was passed in silence. After the usual routine business, the remainder of tho evening was spent socially. The following contributed items:—Sisters M'Kay, M'X/nighlin, O'Regan, Una Simon, and Maureen Griffin, Bros. Chas. M'Kenzic, W. O'Kanc, J. B. Martin, Barry, Carrigan, Lawlor, F. .T. M'Kcowen, and Master M'Carthy.