CATHOLIC CLUB

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 April 1941, Page 7

CATHOLIC CLUB

ANNUAL COMPETITIONS FRANCIS REDWOOD SHIELD. WON BY MASTERTON TEAM. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON. This Day. The Federated Catholic Club's and Societies of the North Island held their annual competitions in Wellington on • Easter Saturday , and yesterday. Teams participated in the competitions from as far afield as Hamilton and Hastings. The main feature of the competitions vzas the debate, which offered the highest marks of any section. Besides, the subject was interesting, for debaters were asked to affirm or deny that “The 20th Century Press is an Instrument. for Good in the Community.” St. Joseph's Club, Hastings, won this section, and Miss E. O'Donoghue was declared the best speaker. Mr C. Cleary. Wellington, acted as adjudicator. Hastings drew the negative side of the question. While the debate was in progress at Brougham Street Hall, tennis competitions were conducted on the Marist Tennis Club's courts. Tasman Street. L. Cooney winning for Marist Brothers’ Cid Boys. L. Sales won the billiards section for the same club. Oratory, elocution, impromptu speech, and the section devoted on Sunday evening to religious questions were keenly contested, but the ability of Masterton Catholic Club exceeded that of their opponents. They take home with them the Francis Redwood Shield, winning it with 15 points. Marist Brothers' Old Boys. Wellington, secured second place, and St. Joseph's Club, Hastings, were placed third. The Corry Cup went to Marist, and the Marcus James Cup was won by Hastings. who had most points in the literary competitions. Adjudicators for the competitions were as follows:—Debate, Mr T. P. Cleary, LL.B.; religious question, the Rev. Dr. F. H. Walsh; oratory, the Rev. Father L. Brice, S.M.; impromptu speech, Mr T. M. Burke.

Annual Conference. The annual conference, of the Federated Catholic Clubs and Societies of Nev/ Zealand was also held. The financial position of the clubs was reported to be satisfactory, and all officeholders were re-elected. It was decided to hold the 1942 competitions in Masterton. His Grace. Archbishop O'Shea, Metropolitan and Primate of New Zealand, attended the evening gathering, and presented diplomas and cups. He congratulated the clubs “on their courage and enterprise in holding the annual competitions in spite of world conditions." and expressed his surprise and pleasure at the high standard of competitors’ work. On Saturday delegates and competitors were entertained at luncheon and yesterday attended Mass and Holy Communion at St. Mary of the Angels Church, Boulcott Street.

Mr R. Dwyer presided over the Sunday sections of the competitions, and Mr F. J. Town presided during the course of. the debate.