YOUNG MEN IN COUNCIL.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXII, Issue 52, 29 December 1904, Page 20

YOUNG MEN IN COUNCIL.

The alnnual Conference of tihe Federated Catholic Young Mon's Societies of New Zealand was formally opened in St. Joseph's Hall, DUfnedin, ojn Ohiri-sltmas pay, hut 'owiing to the non-arrival of lOie delegates fr,om Wellington the meeting was adjaur/ned until Monday evening. On Sunday afternoon the visitors were sjtyown around the city and subuhrbs by Messrs T Dee'han, T. tfussey, 'and D. Cohirmb (of the Dunedin Society), and Messrs. J. J. M'artow, Mayor of St KiUda atfd Sauntiers (South Duneclrn). The business of tjhe Conference began on Monday evening an the arrival of the Wellington representatives by the express. In the unavoidable absence of Mr. FitegiblxJn (president of the exe-cjutiive) Mr. Leydetn (vice-president) was notneA to the chair. Mr. H. McKeowen (hdn. secretary \of the executive and editor of tihe ' Catholic Magazine ') was alsto present. The following delegates took part fn the pr,oceedmgs :— Wellington, Messrs. LeyMe.n and McKeowetn • Chrretchuroh, Messrs. J. Stanley and T. O'Cotfnell •' AahbKirtom, Messrs McDonnell and P. Wilson ; Timlaru Messrs. Qoyle amd Quin ; Jnveroargill, Mes&rs ' Roberts|on a,rld M. O'Brien ; South Dwnedifc, Messrs J J MalrUow a^d J. Sounders ; Dilnodin, Messrs T Dec^hjan and T., Hussey ; Hakitika, Messrs. H. Williams amid F O Qarjnell ; Auckland, Messrs. D. Cohirob atfd A MrtuiatN/apier,, Mr. T. Adams. The Rev. Father Murphy Atim' St. Jiosepjh's Cathedral, and Rev. Fatiher Ooffey were alsjo present. A letter was read from Mr. Fdt/grbibon Wlogi'stmg for his absence owing to illness in his family.

The balance sheet, which was read aaxd adopte4 showed a small sum on the credit side. In their annual report the executive expressed their pleasure at the progress whkfli had been made during the year. New societies had been formed during tihe past year i,n Auckland Mastertan, Meanee, aftd Oreymauth, some of wfoidh 'had alTqariy joined the federation. The executive trusted that very soon the chain of faderatiom would stretch from Auckland to the Bluff. The federation was represented^ by two delegates at the Catholic Congress It w,as reported that the affairs of the ' Catholic Magazine ' were progressing satisfactorily. Regfret was expressiad at tihe great loss sustained by the death of Mr. W. H. Haydon. jfun., of Dunedrn, who always tr*>k| a very deep interest in the progress of tihe Catholic Young Man's Societies. In conclusion the executive appealed to the Catholic young men of the CoHony to join Catholic societies, and to anjdh societies to become affiliated with the federation. The report was aWoptcjd. The societies at H'okitika, Timar,u, anld Invercargill were affiliated. The standing orders were suspended for the pjurpose of allowing a revision of the rules. An interesting discussion took place as to the rreost convenient date for the Conference, mapy members being QP,posod vo CJhristmas time. Eventually it was decided to hold it during Easter week, the next to taflce 'place at Wellington in 1906. It was decided to increase the number of officers of the executive, which will nlow consist of a president-general president, vice-president secretary, treasurer, aad a committee of three, with two representatives at the annual Conference. The annual stuibsicriiptyoin from sbcieties was fixed at 5s for those having a membership of less tlhan 40, 7s SA for legs 1 tihia n 100, atnd over that 10s. It was resolved that gentleman miay become han. members of tihe federation an payment 'of a subscription of one gjiinea. The firsjij S^ndlay in Ativqnt was appointed as the day on wlhich the members in a body in their respective parishes sjhoulfl approach the Holy Tatle. Otltoer alterations of an umimportant character were majde im the rjules.

The editor gave an interesting account of the ptogress of the magazine, and an assurance tfoftt the receipts woulld cover ttie expenditure for the current year A le/ngtrhy report from the delegates to the Catholic Congress was presented to itfie meeting, amd tihe delegates were thanked for their services. TJie meanibers of the various affiliated societies were recommended to join

tihe 8i.A.C.8. Society, and the executive was empowered to prjocure a suitable medal or badge of membership. Mr. H. McKeowen was re-appointed oditur of tjie Maga^ zime.

The following are the officers for the current year : His Grace Arehbishojp Redwood, president-general ; Mr. E. Fitzgibibon, president ; Mr. E. J. Leydeln, vice-presi-dent ; Mr. J. McCknvan, hon. trcasiurer ; Mr H. McKeov/cn, hou. secretary ; Messrs. A. H. Casey, J. Coylc, F. McDonald, committee.

Votes of thanks were pasisqd to his- Dorlds*hi!p the Bistopp, ttie aclit'or of the mfagaaine, the exeoutive, and otihesL's, afLer which tlie proceedings termirtatad.