ST. VINCENT DE PAUL, SOCIETY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2892, 11 August 1909, Page 89

ST. VINCENT DE PAUL, SOCIETY.

Th<j twenty-fourth annual meeting of the St. Vincent de Paul Society was held od the 6th inst., the Rev. Father Coffey presiding. Bishop Verdon occupied a seat on the right of the chairman, and a number of the ladies of the society were also present. In presenting the twenty-fourth annual report and balance sheet the office-bearers sincerely thank all who have helped them during the past, specially mentioning, his Lordship Bishop "Verdqn, the clerey, U.S.S. Co., Huddart-Parker, Messrs Calian and Gallaway, and Drs O'Neil, Hall, and Hastings. During the year 38 meetings were hela. Nine boys were sent to St. Mary's (Nelson), four girls to St." Vincent d© Paul's (South Dunedin), 12 women to Mount Magdala, two infants to Karitane, one girl to Auckland, and two girls to Wellington. The society has had 12 children baptised; 66 grocery orders were given out and 35 coal orders. A large quantity of madeup clothing has been distributed, also ,18 pairs of new boots, 120 yds flannelette, 31yds flannel, 89yds dress material, eight pairs new blankets. There are 110 honorary members and 11 active members on the roll. The annual meeting will be held to-day at 4 p.m. in St. Joseph's Hall. The balance sheet shows the receipts to have been £165 19s lid, made no as follows : —Balance in hand July, 1908, £41 lls 6d ; donations, £21 156 6d ; church collections, £65 Os lid; poor box, £6 6s lid; subscriptions, £31 5s Id. The expenditure was as follows : — Groceries, £16 15s 8d ; drapery, £37 IPs 6d; boots, £6 3s sd; coal, £11 19s 7d ; telephone and offerings. £5 ; Mount Magdala, £5 ; urgent board, £3 7s ; U.S.S. Co. and Huddart-Parker, £15 18s 6d; sundries, telegrams, school books, train fares, £6 13s 6d;— leaving a balance of £57 14s sd.The report having been ' adopted, Bishop Verdon said that he had listened with great pleasure to the report, a-nd he congratulated the society most heartily on the success which had attended its efforts. They were doing a great work, in which they .would receive a neward in the next world As they knew, they had not to look for a reward in this life. An example was necessity, and this example had been, and was being, set by the lat-ies of the society. They had their opportunities. One was hoaxing a great deal about the unemployed. The ladies of the society had been a mataiial assistance-, and as long as they ■ were working, none ot their people would be suffering. Thers must always be some cases of distress, but be trusted that they would always be able to reli-ev© any eaojs that c.tme under their notice. The gentlemen who had also devoted themselves to the work would, no doubt, give them every assistance He believed that they woul.t 1 alwave continue to set an example of ■ charity. The society, year after yes.r, was " doing good work, and they all (clergy anu . laity alike) o\red them a very deep debt ■ of gratitude. . , r Mrs Jackson was elected president for the ensuing year, Mrs Mowat vice-presi- , dent, Mrs Huesey secretary and treasurer, and Mrs iSvvanson wardrobe-keeper. . 1 A vote "of thankt was accorded to Mrs ' Anaell (Society for th© Protection of ; Women aaid Children), and Mr Cumming ■ (Patients and Prisoners' Aid Society), for i assistance given during the past year. ! That Feilding is receiving much benefit i from the opening of the Main Trunk line is 1 proved (asserts the Feilding Star) by the i fact that goods are being retailed from - i there as fa* north as Te Kuiti, Ohura, and , i Ongarue.