TIMARU

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXI, Issue 29, 16 July 1903, Page 5

TIMARU

(From our own correspondent.) Monday, July 6, was a red letter day for the local branch of the Hibernian Society. The half-yearly meeting was held in the evening, the president, Bro. J. O'Leary, in the chair. The balance sheet showed that the membership had increased from 118 in the previous quarter to 154 members, and a contingent increase to 200 members, if those proposed come up for initiation. This phenomenal increase is due to the extraordinary efforts of a new member, Bro. O 'Sullivan, who has made it his hobby outside of working hours to canvass for members, with the result that within four fortnightly meetings he has proposed 65 members and paid their pioposition fees, and 35 of those members have been installed up to the date of writing , the remainder, through the nature of their employment, waiting for a suitable opportunity to do likewise. The balance sheet of the branch for the past quarter was most satisfactory from every point of view. The sick fund has increased from £526 to £573 during the quarter, while a sum of £24 odd has been disbursed in sick pay. The incidental fund has increased from £28 odd to £41 Is 7d, although an expenditure of £44 7a 7d was made during the past three months. The benevolent fund stands at £25 odd, and other subsidiary funds are in a sound position. When the meeting was over an adjournment was made to the boys' schoolroom, the guests being limited to members and nominated candidates. Bro. O'Leary was in the chair, being supported on his right by the Rev. Father Tubman, and on his left by Bro. Nelson, P.P. (Christchurch), Bro. Dennehy, P.P., Bro. Cunningham, P.P., Bro. Sheeny, P.P. (Timaru). Over 150 persons sat down to the good things prepared by the lady members of the society, and the following toasts were proposed : ' The Pope ' (Rev. Father Tubman), ' The King ' (the chairman), after which the Rev. Father Tubman made a presentation to Bro. O'Leary of a handsome P.P. collar, and also a complimentary collar to Bro. O 'Sullivan for his great work in introducing so many new members. Bro. O'Sullivan's name, during the Rev. Father's speech, was always greeted with a round of applause, and during the many speeches delivered during the evening the mention of his name evoked a similar compliment. Father Tubman in his remarks said that although Bro. O'Sullivan had earned the record for Australasia, he doubted if he had not earned a record for the whole world, and urged other members to emulate him. He was sure there was not a parish priest in New Zealand who was in the position of presiding over such a number of young men as he saw before him.

The toast of the ' Chaplain ' was eloquently proposed by Bro. M. Mahoney and duly responded to by Father Tubman. Bro. Fitzgerald, the secretary of the branch, made the speech of the evening, in proposing the ' Hibernian Society.' ' The Memory of Robert Emmet ' was proposed by Bro. Dennehy,' and the ' New Zealand Tablet ' was proposed in complimentary terms by Bro. Dumier, and seconded by Bro. Doyle. Bro. Dennehy responded, and after eulogising the work done by the editor, he expressed the hope that the members would back up their hearty appreciation of the toast by practically proving it and becoming subscribers to their Catholic weekly. ' The Irish Parliamentary Party ' was proposed by Bro. O'Connor in a neat speech, and ' The Visitors,' coupled with the name of Bro. Nelson (Christchurch), was propos)d by Bro. Sheehy. Bro Neteon, in replying, congratulated the Rev. Father Tubman on having such a grand body of men to, preside over, and made very practical remarks regarding the workings of the society, of which he has been a member during the last thirty years. He had much pleasure in proposing the ' Timaru Branch,' which he considered was giving a lead to the Hibernians in New Zealand. During the evening songs were sung by Bros. Macdonald, Doyle, O'Leary, (TConnor, Mahoney, Murphy, and Nelson (Christchurch). A recitation was given by Mr. M. F. Dennehy, the accompaniments being played by Mr. Doyle. Irish dances— a hornpipe by Bro. O'Sullivan and a jig by Mr. Dennehy, senr — were much appreciated. (This letter reached us last week after we had gone to press.)