ARCHDIOCESE OF WELLINGTON

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXIII, Issue 24, 15 June 1905, Page 18

ARCHDIOCESE OF WELLINGTON

(By telegraph from our own correspondent.)

June 13. Members of the local branches of the 11.A.C.8. Society attended early Mass at St. Mary of the Angels' Church on Sunday and received Holy Communion in a bo>ly. The Mass was celebrated by the Yen. Archdeacon Devoy, who congratulated the society on the excellent attendance. After Mass the members, to the number of nearly 80, marched in regalia to Carroll's rooms, where breakfast was laid. His Grace the Archbishop presided, and was supported on the right by Bro. C. Foley (president) and on the left by Bro. B. Doherty, P.P. Amongst those nresent were Yen. Archdeacon De\ov, Rev. T. O'Shea, and Messrs. J. J, Devine, Bro. M. Hodgins (Lower Hutt branch), Bro. J. J. Casey (Newtown branch), and H. McKeowen (secretary of the Federated Catholic Young Men's Societies). His Grace in a brief address expressed the hope that succeeding functions of this nature would he as successful and e\en more so than the present one, which 'was their first. The H.A.C.B. Society had his entire support, and he was delighted at the progress made by the Society, especially in Wellington. The good work they were aoing had his blessing, and he would like to see e\ery Catholic a member of the society if possible. the Rev. Father O'Shea, chaoLain to the city branch, congratulated those present on the magnificent profession of their faith which they had made that morning. Mr. J. J. Devine, in referring to the early struggles of the society, said that e;reat praise was due to those early pioneers to whose efforts the present satisfactory condition of the society was largely due. Mr. Michael Bohan, the first district president of the H A.C.B. Society in New Zealand, which was established thirty-five years ago, gave several interesting reminiscences of the society, the remarks of this aged officer being received with hearty applause. Bro. P. J. Kelleher, stated that three years ago there were in the Wellington district only three branches of their society, with a membership of a hundred and seventy ; to-day there are six branches, with a

membership of over three hun-dreS and fifty. During the past three years the sum of £700 had been contributed in the way of sick pay and medical benefits, etc. Speeches were also male by Bro. Hodgins, on behalf of the Lower Hutt branch, Bro. Casey, on behalf of the Newt own branch, and Mr. McKeowen; on behalf of the Catholic Young Men's Societies.