HIBERNIAN AUSTRALIAN CATHOLIC BENEFIT SOCIETY.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume II, Issue 75, 3 October 1874, Page 9

HIBERNIAN AUSTRALIAN CATHOLIC BENEFIT SOCIETY.

OrENING OP ST. JOHN'S BRANCH, NAPIER. Fob some considerable time the Catholics of Napier have been endeavoring to establish a Benefit Society ; but as is usual with all institutions of the kind here, it must "be spoken of at least twjlve months before being started, and even then must be a very extra* ordinary and praiseworthy object if in that time it shows any signs of existence. However, although unsuccessful on previous occasions, this time, through the unremitting exertions of Mr J. A. Rearden, the St. John's Branch of the H.A.C.B.S. was fairly established on the evening of the 9th ult. A.B announced by the Rev. F. Rolland, on the previous Tuesday, a meeting was convened in the old school-room, at 7 o'clock on the above evening, for the purpese of opening the Branch. Acting ia accordance with instructions received by him from the Executive Directory, Mr S. A. Rearden, as their authorised Deputy, having examined medical certificates, received propositions and entrance fees amounting to £62, proceeded to initiate 43 gentlemen as members of the Branch. Others there are who, having paid^their proposition and entrance fees, «ud procured medical certificates, though unavoidably absent, will undoubtedly be initiated at the next meeting. Thisinfant Branch will consequently commence with considerably over fifty members. Taking into consideration the small number of Catholics, and likewise the number of Friendly Societies at present int Napier, this is considerably over the average of opening numbers, and xinquestionably shows that the enthusiasm displayed on its natal day will not fail or become less with the lapse of time, but on the contrary, seeing the- unity and determination of its individual members* we may safely predict this will be amongst the largest of the Branches of this Society. The Deputy having initiated the candidates, proceeded to establish the Branch in the peculiar and expressive form proscribed in the Initiation Book, and having read his authority for opening the Branch, addressing the members, said : — " Brethren, — With the sincerest pleasure I congratulate you that on this evening has been achieved an. object which muny of us have endeavored to accomplish for many years past, — the establishment of a Catholic Society. This must be asource of very great gratification to each and all of us, not only now, but years hence when we take a retrospective view of this evening's, proceedings, and behold all the benefits that will have been conferred on our co-religionists and fellow-townsmen, we will thank a kind and all-wise Providence who, even at this eleventh hour, had given us such facilities for opening the St. John's Branch of the H.A.C.B.S. We must now endeavor by all legitimate means to strengthen our Branch by increasing our number and funds, but above all by our nnity, harmony, and example show to the world, a Friendly Benefit Society under the direct supervision of the Catholic Church, can be a. financial success. 1 ' The following gentlemen were then nominated as office-bearers for the ensuing six months : — President, Alex. Brown ; Vice-president, J. Barry, of Toradale ; Secretary, J. A. Rearden ; Treasurer, J. W. Boworman ; Warden, M. Hayden ; Guardian, M. Queenin. The installation took place on the 23rd idt. Ifc was resolved that the thanks of the Branch be forwarded to the Executive Directory for the promptness with which they replied, to the application for the opening of the Branch, and also for having appointed Mr J. A. Roarden as their Deputy, thereby saving considerable preliminary expense in opening the Branch ; and also that a vote of thanks be accorded to Bro. J. A. Rearden for the very able and efficient manner in which he conducted the opening of the Branch, as also for his untiring exertions in the cause of the H.A.C.B.S. This terminated the business of the evening, and the President closed the meeting in the usual form.