GOLDEN JUBILEE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 August 1938, Page 7

GOLDEN JUBILEE

OF ST. MICHAEL’S LODGE CELEBRATION IN MASTERTON. LARGE GATHERING AT DINNER. Saturday was a red letter day in the history of St Michael’s branch (No 211, Masterton) of the Hibernian Australasian Catholic Benefit Society when the golden jubilee of the lodge was celebrated by a dinner held in Masterton in the evening at which over 200 persons representing the Friendly Society movement were present. Foresters, Odd Fellows, Druids and other lodges joined in honouring a Hibernian lodge which had done so much to foster the spirit of Friendly Societies, and to assist those in their territory who required help in time of sickness or trouble. Hiberian Lodge representatives were present from all over the Wellington, Taranaki, Hawke’s Bay and Auckland provinces, and as far south as Timaru. Thanks to the splendid organisation and control the function will go down in lodge history of the Dominion as one of the most important celebrations ever held. Officers and members of St Michael’s branch set out to make the occasion one fitting such an auspicious celebration, and that they had succeeded was evident from the smooth working associated with the carrying out of the function. It was anticipated that the attendance would be well under one hundred but apparently the popularity and the fine record of St Michael’s was known far and wide and its officials were astonished to see delegates coming into the Jubilee dinner in ever increasing numbers from all parts of the North Island —as far away even as Morrinsville —until dhere were finally seated at the tables well 1 over 200 persons. Though the extra crush caused a slight delay, officials of the lodge were equal to the occasion and their excellent management and wholehearted co-operation soon overcame all difficulties. Bro J. Connors, president of St Michael’s branch, presided and the guests at the top table included the Hon W. Lee Martin, Mrs and Miss Martin, Mr T. Jordan (Mayor of Masterton), Mr and Mrs J. Robertson, Father N. Moore, and others associated with the St Michael’s and other Hibernian lodges..

ARCHBISHOP’S MESSAGE. In the course of a written apology his Grace Archbishop O’Shea stated that the rush of work on the eve of his departure for Europe prevented him from being present at the function. He warmly congratulated the branch on achieving its fiftieth year of existence and stated that the influence of such a society must be for the good ot all Catholics and all citizens. A number of apologies for absence from various parts of New Zealand were' also read.

Arter full justice had been done to the excellent dinner provided by the lodge, and in connection with which members of the lona basketball team capably acted as waitresses, Bro J. Connors proposed the health of the Pope and the King which having been duly honoured Mr T. Jordan welcomed the visitors,, and expressed his great pleasure that a Minister of the Crown should be present accompanied by his wife and daughter. (Applause). He fully appreciated the opportunity of being present at a function where there was so much “wearin’ of the green.” He congratulated St Michael’s on achieving the fiftieth year of what had been a very useful life, the lodge having performed excellent social service for the community. “You had some great foundation members,” said Mr Jprdan, “and none better than Humphrey O’Leary, that fine citizen of Masterton who in his very full and useful life rendered excellent service to the town of Masterton, and of whom no better Irishman ever sat at a Council table.” (Loud applause). “I welcome the strangers to the town (a voice: “We’re not strangers now”), and confer on them the freedom of the borough—one’ or two have already taken it (loud laughter and applause). In the words of an old Irish saying, ‘a hundred thousand welcomes to you all.’” (Loud applause). The health of the visitors was then drunk with musical honours. The toast “H.A.C.8.5., N.Z. District” was proposed by Bro D. Foley (Taranaki) and replied to by Bro J. Stratford, G.D.V.P. Mr J. T. Carr (Petone) proposed the toast of “St Michael’s Branch,” congratulating the lodge on reaching its golden jubilee. SOME EARLY HISTORY. The chairman, on rising to respond, was received with warm applause. The history of St Michael’s would, he said, provide an interesting page in the history of the Hibernian Societies of New Zealand. He related many amusing incidents of the early days of the lodge, and stated that the lodge had to wait three months for its charter. Today if it took more than three days there would be a demand for an explanation as to the delay. He was proud to say that two members of the very early days, Messrs J. Siemonek and J. Price, were still with them. He had been a member of the lodge for forty years, and greatly appreciated the honour which had been bestowed on him in having been made president in the jubilee year of the lodge. He deeply appreciated the loyal support he had received from officers and members generally. In all his experiience there had not been a bad president associated with St Michael’s —every one of them had taken a pride in the lodge and worked hard for its advancement. (Hear, hear). He thanked the representatives of other branches of the Hibernian Order and other lodges for their attendance that evening. (Loud applause). Bro S. O’Regan (Eketahuna) proposed the toast of the “Hierarchy and Clergy.” The Rev Father N. Moore received a warm reception on rising to reply. He said that the clergy in New Zealand had done wonderful work for the Church in looking after the flocks. Many notable bishops and other clergy had been sent out to New Zealand to take up the work of the Church, and they had done their duty nobly and well. He paid a high tribute to the heads of the Church in New Zealand who had been the defenders of the religion and the liberties of the citizens, and made brief reference to the teaching of religion in schools. “A good Catholic must be a good citizen,” said Father Moore, “and a Hibernian must be a good Catholic.” (Loud applause). “Kindred Societies” was proposed by Bro Arthur O’Leary. Bros F. Knowles (Odd Fellows), W. M. Heckler (Waipoua), A. Levick (Druids) and R. Davis (Foresters) replied. The toast of “Visiting Brethren and

Sisters” was proposed by Bro W. Brady, who said, in the course of his remarks, that it was a pleasure to have with them a son and a daughter (Mrs J. Mannell) - of the first secretary of St Michael’s, Bro J. Goggin, a daughter (Miss Cavanagh) of the first president (Bro J. Cavanagh) and Mr Frank O’Toole, of Villa Street, the sole surviving foundation member. He thanked the visiting brethren and sisters for their attendance that evening, many of whom had come long distances to be present, a fact which the members of St Michael’s fully appreciated. Bro Bert Chapman (Morrinsville) briefly acknowledged the toast. The “Friendly Societies’ Department” was proposed by Bro L. W. Dorward (president of the provincial council). STRENGTH OF SOCIETIES. The Hon W. Lee Martin was greeted with prolonged applause as he rose to reply. He warmly congratulated the St Michael’s branch on attaining its fiftieth anniversary and deeply appreciated the honour extended to him to attend such an outstanding function. “I notice your invitation sets down the date of commencement as 1888,” said Mr Martin, “but the records of my office show your registration date as 1886. (A voice: “That is wrong; we have the original minute book with the date 1888.”) The Minister went on to say that the parent society was registered as far back as 1882, but the first record of a society being established' dated back to 1870, when two were founded, one in the Thames and the other at Greymouth. The total membership of the Hibernian societies was 4994 and the total worth of the funds £148,856, of which £34,385 was in connection with the sick and funeral funds. At December 31 the society had an accumulated surplus of no less than £43,500 —a striking testimony to prudence and good management, and showing the strength of the Order. (Applause). Last year seven new Hibernian lodges were established, bringing the total up to 95. The Minister concluded by again extending his congratulations ,to St Michael’s on achieving such an important milestone in its history. (Loud applause). Mr J. Robertson, M.P., briefly responded to the toast, and congratulated St Michael’s on its golden jubilee, paying a tribute to those who controlled the lodge today for having carried out faithfully and well those noble traditions which were associated with such a splendid Order as that of the Hibernians. Bro Connors briefly thanked Mr Martin and Mr Jordan for having attended the function. A vote of thanks to the chairman brought to a conclusion a most successful gathering. SPECIAL SERVICES. Special services were held at St Patrick’s Church yesterday in connection with the jubilee celebrations. In the morning the visitors were entertained at breakfast in the Cosy Tea Rooms and later taken for a motor ; drive to places of interest in the district. In the afternoon tea was provided at the Club rooms, most of the visiting brethren later returning to their homes.