OPENING OF ST. MARY'S BRANCH, H.A.C.B.S., NELSON.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume II, Issue 96, 27 February 1875, Page 6

OPENING OF ST. MARY'S BRANCH, H.A.C.8.5., NELSON.

1 1 Monday, the Bth inst., was the day fixed for the formal opening of this Branch. The Catholic school-room was tastefully decorated for the occasion with flags and banners. Punctually at 7 p.m. the presiding officer, Mr. Chas. E. Bunny, took his seat on the raised platform at the north end of the school-room. On his right was the Eev. Father Garin, and Mr. C. E. Haughton, President of the "Wellington Branch, on his left ; the Eev. Father Bensfield and Mr. Broad, E.M. were present, and also many members of the congregation. ' The business of the meeting was opened with the usual prayer by the Rev. Father Garin, after which the presiding officer rose and read the usual address, at the conclusion of which he declared the Branch duly opened. The candidates were then initiated, and the following gentlemen were elected office-bearers : — President, Bro. A. Bunny ; vice-President, Bro. J. Armstrong j Secretary, Bro. C. Bunny; Treasurer, Bro. J. Bolton; Warden, Bro. C. Seymour; Guardian, Bro. A. Frank. The following gentlemen were elected Trustees -.—Bros. Chas. McGee, John James, and Eobfc. W. Stewart. The President and vice-Preßident then returned thanks for the high and responsible positions in which they had respectively been placed. Mr. Haughton also, in a few well-chosen remarks, said it afforded him great pleasure to be present on the occasion. The "Angelus" was then said by the Eev. Father Garin and the meeting closed. The members then adjourned to the Nelson Hotel where dinner was provided in Host McGee's best style ; the room was nicely decorated and well lighted. The President of the newly formed Branch was in the chair, supported by Father Garin, and Mr. Symmonds, head-master of the Nelson College, on his right, and Mr. McLean, M.P.C., and Mr. L. Broad on his left. The vice-chair was occupied by the vice-President. The following toasts were then proposed by the chairman : — The Pope (Band : " God save the Pope,") the Queen, the Governor, the Superintendent and Provincial Council, coupled with the name of Mr. McLean. Mr. McLean responded. The President in proposing the next toast — that of Bishop and the clergy of the diocese, coupled with the name of the gentleman on his right, the Eev. Father Garin — said he -was sure it was one to which all present would respond in a most hearty manner ; that that gentleman was known to all of them as an old friend, revered pastor, and an excellent member of society ; he had been in the Colony for a period extending over thirty-five years, twentyfive of which have been spent amongst them in Nefaon. All who knew the duties which his vocation called upon him to perform, perfectly understood the toils, fatigue, privations and dangers he must have undergone during that time, more especially in the early days of the colony. Any words of his (Mr. Bunny's) could in no way express his sentiments or the feelings of respect and veneration which he entertained towards him. He would also take this opportunity of expressing his regret at the loss they were about to sustain in the person of the Eev. Father Bensfield. This gentleman, he was sorry to say, was, in consequence ill health, and acting under medical advice, obliged to leave them, at all events for some time, and all would join hrm (Mr. Bunny) in hoping that he might ! soon return completely restored to health. The toast was drunk with cheers and applause. Father Garin in reply said that it gave him great pleasure to I respond to this toast, more so when he had to respond on behalf of | the Most Eev- Dr. Eedwood, who, in his early youth was under his j care j he also referred to the approaching departure of Father Bensfield who, through ill health, was about to retire from all work for at least six months. Mr. James then rose and said it was his pleasing duty to propose the toast of the evening, and in doing so he wished to state that it was owing to the efforts of Mr. Chas. Bunny that they were there that night; that it was owing to the steps Mr. Bunny had taken that they had had a Branch of the Society opened in Nelson. He had great pleasure in proposing the toast of " The Hibernian Australasian Catholic Benefit Society," coupled with the name of Mr. Chas. E. Bunny. — (Applause). Mr. C. E. Bunny said he thanked them sincerely for the very kind manner this toast had been proposed and respondad to, He had that day had the honor of opening a Branch of this Society, the objects of which are to promote the religious and social welfare of its members, and composed solely of Catholics without party and political feelings, and without secrets. He stated that it was only in the year 1871 that this Society was formed by amalgamating two or three Catholic Societies in Melbourne ; that since that time it had steadily progressed and now there were over 80 Branches and between five and six thousand members. He thanked Mr. James for the kind remarks he made in reference to himself, he (Mr. Bunny) assured those present that what little he had done in promoting the interests of the Society in Nelson, or the assistance he had given, had been to him a great pleasure. He took this opportunity to return his thanks to the Eev. Fathers Garin and Bensfield for the kind assistance they had given; to the Executive Directory for the willing manner in which they had granted his requests, and to the Charleston Branch for their kindness in offering to lend their regalia,. Li conclusion he had to state that whether in Nelson or elsewhere he should look back with pleasure and pride to the Bth February, 1875, the day he had the honor of opening St. Mary's Branch at Nelson. — (Loud Applause). The next toast was proposed by the vice-Chairman, which was " Kindred Societies." Mr. John Wigzell responded. Mr. C. E. Bunny proposed " Visiting Brethren," coupled with the name of Mr. C. E. Houghton. Mr. Houghton in acknowledging the toast expressed the gratification it afforded him to be present on this occasion; he had confidence in the success of the good works which it was the aim of the Society to carry out, and he felt sure that when its principles and practices were more fully known and understood the number of brethren would be greatly augmented, and. that by the annj.

versary of this their day of opening, the muster would be thre times as many. He should have great pleasure in taking the first opportunity of reporting to the Wellington Branch the interesting proceedings of the day., and the kind hospitality with which he had been treated. — (Cheers). Mr. L. Broad said he had "been suddenly asked "by the Chairman to propose a toast, and he was glad to comply with the request, although so short a notice prevented his doing justice to it. The toast was " The Educational System of Nelson," coupled with the name of Mr. Symmonds, the head-master of the Nelson College. All present knew in how high a position that institution stood amongst our educational establishments, but all were perhaps not aware that higher education throughout New Zealand generally was due to Mr. Symmonds, whose ideas had taken root and grown amazingly. The primary education given in the Nelson Government and aided schools was most satisfactory, and the master doing good work with ability and untiring zeal. — (Cheers). Mr. Symmonds in a short speech responded. Mr. McGrath proposed " Our Guests," coupled with the name of Mr. Broad. In doing so he said it was a pleasing duty to perform j he would not delay them with any (lengthened remarks bxit bad great pleasure in proposing the toast. Mr. L. Broad said he had been asked to reply to this toast, and as a guest on the present occasion he had to thank them for the kindly sentiments expressed by their toasts, and the handsome way in which they had been entertained. He was not a member of this or any other Benefit Society, but he fully appreciated the great good this Society and other similar associations were doing. He wan not a Good Templar but he had practical illustrations almost daily of the good work of that Society, and he wished them every success in their crusade against drunkenness. In the name of all the guests present he heartily thanked them for their friendly entertainment. Mr. Richards proposed ," The Ladies," and Mr. Seymour responded. Mr. Houghton proposed "The Press," and Mr. Bannetin responded. Throughout the evening there were songs and recitations.