Napier

New Zealand Tablet, 25 October 1906, Page 24

Napier

(From our own correspondent.)

October 20. A splendid meeting was held in the Theatre Royal last Monday evening to discuss matters in connection with the forthcoming visit to Napier of the Irish delegates, Messrs. Devlin and Donovan. Mr. John Riggins presided, and in a patriotic speech appealed to all of Irish descent to rally round the National cause, - and show that there were true Irishmen in Napier as well as in other parts "of New Zealand. Mr. Higgins suggested that a grand national social or •an entertainment of some kind should be held to provide the sinews of war in regard to the reception of and presentation to the Irish envoys of a purse of sovereigns. Mr. Patrick Gleeson, in a vigorous speech, thought a social was not the proper means of providing the sinews of war on an occasion like the present. He said that he was a staunoher Home Ruler now than when he landed in the colonies 5-i years ago, and as he felf that" the present time was the "time to act, ' he asked the chairman vto put his name down at the head of a subscription list for -£50 as his contribution towards the Home Rule fund. The effect of this announcement acted like magic on the meeting, and Mr M % F. Bourke immediately offered 20 guineas towards the fund, followed by> Mr. John Higgins with 15 guineas. The following additional subscriptions" were promised in the room :— Rev. Fathers Goggan and O'Connor, £5 5s each ; Messrs. C. O'Donoghue P Barry and W. J. McGrath, £5 5s each ; Mr. J. Mahony, £5 ' Messrs. F. Minogue and P. J. Barry, £3 3s each • Mr' M. Quinn, £2 10s ; Messrs. J. -Moroney, and J. Mannix' £2 2s each ; Mr. M. Clarkin, £2 ; Messrs. T. Fitzgerald' J. Maxey, D. O'Donoghue, J. Lynam, M. McKcnna, P*. Foley M. Clarke (Wellington), and B. O'Rourke, £1 Is each ; Messrs. W. Higgins, D. Higgins, P. McNamara, M. Roache, £1 each ; the Misses Murphy, 10s ■ A widow's mite, 5s 6d, ai*d other minor amounts, maiMne the total approximately £141 18s 6d. Mr. M L. Gleeson was then appointed permanent secretary to the reception committee, and Mr J HieSins treasurer. A strong executive committee has been formed, and a house-to-house canvass for subscriptions will be made. A meeting of the executive committee was held in St. Patrick's Hall on Friday evenine and it was decided to send out circulars to all the outlying districts asking for co-operation in the good work. . °

The Irish people of Hastings intend to give the delegates a great reception there. A strong committee has been formed, and it is anticipated that a substantial sum will be presented to Messrs. Devlin and Donovan on the occasion of their visit