St. Joseph's Men's Club, Dunedin

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXI, Issue 18, 30 April 1903, Page 15

St. Joseph's Men's Club, Dunedin

The annual meeting of St. Joseph's Men's Club was held in St. Joseph's Hall on Friday evening. There was a large attendance, and the chair was occupied by the Rev. Father Murphy (president). The annual report and balance sheet were read by the hon. secretary and treasurer, Mr. D. S. Columlb. The committee, in their report, congratulated the members on the success of the past year, and hoped that the present would be still more successful. They pointed out that the literary and gymnastic sides of the club suffered from want of attention, whilst on the social side there was not much to be desired. The billiard table had proved a great success, and promised to pay its cost very soon. It was hoped that during the current year all departments of the Club would be well supported, and that interesting and wellattended debates would be held. It was a matter of regret that the gymnastic class was allowed to fall through, especially as the gymnasium is as well furnished as airy in town, and two instructors — Messrs. Deehan and Drumm — had kindly placed their services at the disposal of members. An important event in the past year was the federation of the various Catholic Literary Socities of New Zealand, St. Joseph's Club being one of the affiliating societies. At the first annual meeting of the delegates from the various societies, held in Wellington last Christmas, Messrs. T. Deehan and W. H. Haydon, jun. represented St. Joseph's Club. Successful ping-pong and other tournaments were held during the past year, and in connection with these the Club was indebted to Messrs. K. Power and W. H. Haydon, jun., for donating tables . The balance sheet showed that the financial position was sound, and that the Club went to considerable exr pense during the year in providing fixtures and requisites. In the discussion which followed the Rev. Father Coffey, and Messrs. J. J. Connor. P. Deehan, Hussey, Hill, Miles, and Foley took part, the trend of the speeches being as to the best means for increasing the usefulness and membership of the Club. Rev. Father Coffey said that intellectual improvement ought to be the primary object of the Club, as it Was not in the school but in such an institution young men were really educated so as to be able to take their place in the world. To make the Club a success, intellectual improvement should have first place, and a special effort should be made to carry out this idea by means of debates, lectures, etc. Rev. Father Murphy expressed his pleasure at the good attendance, and suggested to the incoming committee to divide the city into districts and find out the Catholic yountr men and induce them to become members. A great many Catholic young men came to Dunedin from time to time who would be likely to join the Club if their attention were called to its aims and objects. He had listened with interest to the remarks of the various speakers, and it was evident from their speeches that they were determined to make the Club a great success. The motion that the report and balance sheet be adopted was then put to the meeting and unanimously agreed to. On the motion of Mr. D. S. Columb it was resolved to raise the number of the committee fpom five to seven members.

The election of officers resulted as follows :—President, Rev. Father Murphy ; vice-presidents, Rev. Father Howard and Mr. J. j. Connor ; hon. secretary and treasurer, Mr. D. S. Columb ; committee, Messrs. Miles, Foley, T. J. Hussey, McKennah, T. Deehan, Hill, and W. Rodgers. It was decided, on the suggestion of the Rev. Father Murphy, that the members approach the Holy Table in a body, Rosary Sunday being selected as the day for the annual Communion. Three new members were elected. It was announced that the current session would be opened on next Friday evening, when the Rev. Father Cleary would provide an interesting programme. A vote of thanks to the Rev. Father Murphy for presiding brought the business to a, close.

Fully 5000 persons were present on Easter Monday at the United Catholic Demonstration held at Sir Joseph Banks Pleasure Grounds,- Sydney, for the purpose of financially assisting the Waitara Foundling Home. The gathering was held under the auspices of the A.H.C. Guild, Hibernian A.C.B. Society, Irish National Foresters, St. Vincent de Paul Society, and the Catholic Young Men's Union. The gathering included a large number of the clergy from the city and suburbs, as well as visitors from other States.