DIOCESE OP CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXV, Issue 1, 3 January 1907, Page 23

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

(From our own correspondent.)

Decem/ber 29

The approximate number of members of the affiliated Catholic clubs in New Zealand to the Federation was given by Mr. T. 'Adams at" the social as 1500.

Speaking at the Catholic Club's 'social the Rev. Father O'Connell said that up to the present fifty priests for the various Marist missions had been ordained from the Meanee ecclesiastical seminary.

Owing to his removal to Wellington Mr. C. Lafferty has resigned from the presidency of the Christchurch Catholic Club. Mr. W. Hoban, the well known solicitor, has accepted the appointment to the position, aixl with his ability and wide experience .should make an admirable leader.

.We desire, said Mr. A. H. Casey, .vice president oE the Caiholic Clubs' Vcd era lion, at the "social, that the ' N.Z, Tablet ' should be fouhd in every club room and every Catholic home in the land— sentiments which were evidently universally shared in judging by the-ap-plause they met with.

An inter-club debate between representatives of Wellington and Christchurch , Catholic Clubs was -entered into oji Christmas evening in the rooms of- the latter. The subject, the rights and wrongs --of' the totalisator, was -.very keenly contested- with the result that Christchurch was awarded the victory on paints gained. 'Mir. A. 11. Casey, vice-president of the Federation, -presided, and there was an attendance of about 130, -inOlL'ding ladies. Messrs.- D. Edmonds, R. McNamara, ami . J. R. Hay ward _spoke for Christchurch, and Messrs. C. Gamble,. M. Kane., and tf. Moran for Wellington. Messrs.. Reiehel (Wellington) and - Dennehy (Christchurch-) acted— as judges. - A 'camp' in connection with the Federated Catholic Young Men's Societies'of - New Zealand has been formed in this city, consisting of ten tents and a marquee, .and is situated on the Cathedral grounds. All the local arrangements were made, by the Catholic Club members here, and up to' the present about fifty visitors from all parts of the Uclony have availed themselves of the excellent plan adopted for -their' accommodation, comfort, and sight-seeuig facilities. The main o'bjeet "in ~ view is to provide .a common - meeting place for? visiting members of the' Federation to view the Exhibition, to become acquainted with one another, and -t.o more fully, enjoy their" holiday here. To accomplish this result nothing has been left undone. Members commenced . to arrive on Christmas eve, and on Christmas morning the camp was formally opened. Breakfast is supplied each morning by a city caterer, and afterwards during the _day-;'the v campers furnish their individual resources/ Mr. A. 11. -Casey, ■ vicepresident of the Federation, is in charge, and the president, Mr. Leydon, is expected to arrive at the New Year.

On Thursday evening a ' smoke social ' was t<ndcrcd by the Christehurclf Catholic Club to the visitors. Mr.. W. lloban (president) presided at a gathering of ■ over a hundretl. The clergy were" represented by the Very Rev. Father Le Menant des Chesnais, V.G-., and Rev.. Father O'Connell. The function, a most enjoyable one, was held in the Catholic Club rooms, nicely decorated for the occasion. An excellent 'supper was provided and a lengthy toast-list honored. " The heal th % of the clergy was proposed by Mr. J. R. Havward and responded to by the Very "Rev.- Father Le Menanfc des Chesnais and Father.. O'Connell. '-The' Visitors' was responded to by Messrs. Casey. (Wellington), Deehan (Dunedin), O'Conneli (Temuka), M.Daly (Hokitika), Duffy- (Grey mouth), Hogon ; (Wanganui), Hooker (Hawera), and Simms (Waimate). 'The Federated Societies ' was', proposed by Mr. T, Adams and responded to by ' Mr. A.- If. Casey and Mr. H. McKeowen, and 'The Ohristchurch Catholic Club,' pro"pos«l by Mr. Rcichcl, was responded to by" Mr. D. Edmonds " and the .secretary of the club. ' Kindred Societies ' was proposed by Mr. D. O'Connell and responded to by representatives of the Hibernians and St. Vincent de Paul Societies. Interspersed with the toasts, songs were contributed by Messrs. Hooker, Bcveridge, C Goggin, R. Petersen, and W.- Hallin ; Mr. Deehan played a flute solo, and Mr. 11. McKeowen and Mr. R: McNamara recited.