St. Joseph's Men's Club, Dunedin.

New Zealand Tablet, Issue 17, 25 April 1907, Page 30

St. Joseph's Men's Club, Dunedin.

The annual meeting of St. Joseph's Men's Club 'was held iff St. Joseph's Hall, on Friday evening". The Rev. Fathier Coffey, Admu, presided, and there wa,si. an excellent attendance.. In their annual report the committee congratulated the club on the success of the past season. Thelist of financial members numbered 58, 32^ of whom had been on the roll during the previous year. The -literary branch ,was 'highly successful, 21 meetings 'having been held', all of which 'were particularly well attended,. It was very gratifying to find members taking such a keen interest 'in "'this most useful and 'beneficial branch of the club. On four occasions the attendance - was over 50, and rarely did it go below 30. 'On the occasion of the Very Rev. Dean Burkes lecture, when .the congregation, was invited, the concert hall was crowded, this being also the case on the evening <of the deba-te with St. Patrick's Club (South Dunedinf. 'The thinks of the club we/re due, to the Rev. Father Gofiey (president) for an enjoyable address, to the Very Rev. Dean Burke, Rev. Brother Brady, Hon. J. B. Callan, who delivered very interesting lectures, and also to Messrs. J. B. Callan, jim.', and T. J. Hussey for . addresses. The social evenings were very enjoyable, . and a word of praise., was due to" those members who contributed to -the programmes, especially Mr. B. Heley, who acted as - accompanist on various occasions. The debates, of which there were six, reached a high standard, and one, according to parliamentary lules, at which the Hon. J. ByB v Callan, M.L.C., presided, was very instructive. In the inter-club debate the representatives of St. Joseph's Club- (Messrs. Ca'llan, Spain, Hally, and Hussey) were awarded the honors. gymnastic class was carried on under Messrs. T. Deehan' '(captain) and J. J. Drumrn (hoh. instr.uu.tor), who deserve credit for the goojd work done. The attendance towards 'the end of the season fell away to a considerable exten-t. The billiard tab-le was well patronised, and proved a considerable source of revenue. The tournaments 'during the year were won by Messrs. Deehan and Drumm. The concluding function of the year took the form of a - : very enjoyable harbor excursion to Harrington's Point on Labor Day. On a Sunday during October the members approached the Holy Table in a body, after which they' partook of breakfast in St. Joseph's Hall.- The members of St. Joseph's Ladies' Club deserved , tihe ~ thanks of the club for having arranged all matters in connection with the breakfast. In conclusion the hope was expressed that the incoming .committee would receive- the cordial support of members, and that the season- would prove as successful and beneficial to members as had been ,the- case in .the past. The balance sheet showed that the total receipts amounted to £14 15s Bd, and the expenditure, including -£11 12s 2d handed over to the executive, £14 3s '4d, leaving a credit bajance of 12s 4d. In supporting the motion for the adoption of the report and balance sheet Mr. T. Deehan brought for- . ward- the question of furnishing a reading, room, and making the club more attractive. _ Messrs. Spain and Hussey also spoke on the desirability of having a comfortable, well-furnished reading room, The Rev. Father .Coffey admitted the necessity of a "comfortable reading room, but it was a question of ways .and means. The finances would not at present admit of incurring the expense necessary to carry out Mr. Deehan's- suggestions. At this stage the secretary read a letter fronr • Mr. J. B. Callan, jun., apologising for his unavoidable absense, and promising a subscription should it be decided to carry out the suggested alterations. The motion for the adoption of the report and balance sheet was then agreed to. The election of officers resulted as follows :—President, Rev. Father- "Coney, Adm."; hon. and treasurer, Mr. JJ\ P. Rodgers ; vice-presidents, the local clergy (ex-oflieio), Rev.' Brother Brady, and Messrs. Deehan^and Hussey ; committee, Messrs. J. B. Callam, jun., E. W. Spain, J. O'Connor, D. S. Columb, and J. Sims>; representatives on the - executive committee, Messrs. Hussey, Dalian,- and Deehari: ' ' t The inaugural address will be given on Friday evening by the president, Rev. Father Coffey.