FEDERATED CATHOLIC CLUBS

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXVI, Issue 17, 30 April 1908, Page 14

FEDERATED CATHOLIC CLUBS

ANNUAL CONFERENCE

(From our Auckland correspondent.) n +?? h v ??7 enitn annual Conference of the Federated SS' rl S -e^sentle^iSle.r^ brook, Doyle, O'Donnell, . and Rev. Brothers George and Borgia. ,(A list of delegates appeared' in our last issue) Tne Rev. Father Holbxook, in the absence of his Lordship Bishop Lenihan and the Very Rev, Dean Gillan. V.G., welcomed "the delegates. ' . The president then read the annual report, which was as follows •—

Since'the last annual Conference clubs- established at New Plymouth, ' Onehunga, and Hastings have joined the Federation. There are now eighteen affiliated clubs, viz Auckland, Onehunga, New Plymouth^ Wangamui, Hastl

ings, Palmerston North, Fetone, Wellington., Blenheim, Orreymouth, Hokitifeai Christchurch, Ashburton, Tenmka, Oamaru, Dunedin, South Dunedin, and Invercargill. We have 'been in communication with Thames, Waihi, Hamilton, CHsborne, Napier, Feilding, Lower Hutt, , Westport, Waimate, Gore, and Riverton, with the view to the formation and affiliating of clubs r and' there is, we -are pleased to say, every prospect of success in some of the places narnedl We regret to state that only three members' entered for the essay competition, viz., representatives of -the Wellington, Petone, .and New Plymouth Club®. The competition was won by Mr. H. F. Jackson, af the Petone Club, whose- essay, was published in the September issue of the _' Catholic 'Magazine.' An oratorical contest was held during October, amd/memt\srs of the following clubs competed,, viz., New Plymouth, Palmerston North, Wellington, G-reymouth, Christchurch, 'Oamaru, and Inyeicargjill. -'A diploma of merit was awarded to the winner in each case. It is to be much regretted that many of our clubs are very apathetic in regard to competitions promoted by the Executive', and in this instance the majority of the clubs which did • not hold a competition -failed even , to acknowledge receipt of the prospectus from the Execu- • tive. The question of adopting a medallion was again submitted to the various clubs, but as very Rpor suprport was forthcoming the idea has now been definitely •abandoned. We are. pleased to say that the c Catholic Magazine ' -(the official offgaa of the. -Federation) is. in a satisfactory position. We desire, however, to point out that the work entailed .in the production of the 1 Magazine ' is very arduous, and it would be much lightened if all the members of affiliated clubs gave their practical support- to this important adjunct. We hope -that the time' will soon artive when the ' Magazine ' will be puWished more frequently than quarterly, but ia order that this project may cbe realised it is necessary that every member of the Federation should not only become a subscriber himself but should also tmckuvor t'j oMain other &üb«cr'ib"ers,-.and that the 1 terary side of the ' Magazine ' , should receive support from members -whose talents render- them facile of pen. Mr. H. McKeo wen, having, in ,March, 1907, resigned the posdtiopi of editor, which fee had worthily filled for a considerable period, the editorial duties were undertaken by Messrs. A. H. Casey, and L. T. Reichel, and Mr/ MoKeowen was appointed business manager". During the year three honorary- memb-ers were elected under Rule 15 (b>), viz., Very Rev. Father O'Shea, S.M., V.G-. (Wellington), Sir George Clifford (Christchurch), and Mr. W. G. Malone (New Plymouth). Owing to his recent transference from' "Wellington, Rev. "Father Kimbell, S.M., has relinquished the office of spiritual director, the duties appertaining to which he has zealously discharged for several years past. He has a worthy suo cessor in the person of Rev. Father Yenning, S.M. We wish; to thank the clubs generally for the co-operatton and support given to the executive doiring -the past term. \. We trust that the Federation, will, progress still more in the future, -and that ere long the acme of our amibitions,- viz., the establishment and affiliation of a strong. Catholic club in. every centre of population, in the Dominionr-will be fully realised. The •- balance sheet of the ' Magazine ' account showed the total receipts to be £334- 4s 6d, including a credit balance from the previous year ~of £20 Is 9d, the principal revenue items being advertisements, £138 12s 94- ; subscriptions aid donations, £59 10s. The ex-

p©nditure was made up of £222 for printing ' Mag-ap zinc' for two years, - general expenses, and" part tpay.ment of loian, leaving a credit balance of £14 Bte 7d. In the 'general account^the .receipts were set down at £12 14s 6d, the expenditure being £12 5s Bd. - The report and. balance sheet were adopted. _The president extended a hearty welcome to the representative of the « N.Z. Tablet '. "Mr. - Murphy (St. Mary's Catholic Club, Wangamii) moived r ■' That the qfuarterly dates of' publication of 1 The Catholic Magazine ' be altered from the last days of March," June, September, and December to the last days d January, April, July,' and October.' The mover, said-, tha-t the months in which the publication now appeared were not suitable. ; - / • "'• , The president said, a change was : not only v " inadvis lab.le blut. injconivenient to" those who. had the publication and preparation in . hand. . The motion was negatived. The president moved' an addition to the first part of Rule- 5 (qualification of Federation' officers)—' and each of whom, (except the president-general) must have served for a period of at least two years as an active executive officer of an club.'

. Mr." P. J. McGovern (hon.~ secretary) seconded. Mr. J. J-. Calla^han (Wellington) opposed, ana moved as an amendment that ' one year- be substituted in lieu of ' two years.'

Mr. McGowan (Wellington)' seconded the amendment. me arguments in favor of the motion were that two years were necessary to qualify for the executive Mr. Furlong (Auckland) said no Executive was required, as his club got .on well without such a body He woudd support the amendment. Mr. Mulholland (Greymouth) supported .the motion. The amendment was carried. Mr. McGovern moved an amendment of the last ' sentence of Rule 7 (locale of annual conferences) so as to provide ' That the annual' conference be held alternately at Christchurch and Wellington.' The mover' contended that more successful annual meetings would be held if his motion were carried, because of the central position of Wellington -and C-Jiristohurch. Mr. Casey (president) seconded the motion. Messrs. Fama, Mulholland, Murphy' and Furlong ou- ■ posed the motion. " - • f., Mr. Callaghan and Mr. McGowan proposed - and ' seconded as an amendment, ' that the annual conference ' be held two years in succession, and in the third year be movable.' Mr. McGovern opposed the amendment, and Mr. Ainyer opposed the motion. Mr. McGovern spo'.ce in reply, and said he) was , pleased at the discussion. After all a movable meeting would prove beneficial. He moved the motion -as a member of the Executive. The motion and -the amendment were negatived. Mr. Shaw moved that the next annual conference be held at Blenheim. He pointed out that the . smaller, towns should be visited and assisted. Mr. " Fama - seconded. Mr. Barry moved that it be held at Temuka. Mr. Sharaa-ghani seconded. Mr. ~ Mulholland suggested Greymouth, and Mr. Kemble seconded. Upon a vote being taken Blenheim was chosen as the place for the holding of the next conference. Mr. McGowan moved the deletion of the words •at an annual fee or subscription of £1 Is each ' from subRule (b) of Rule 15 (re honorary members). Mr. Casey seconded the motion, which was carried. The election of officers' resulted as follows : Presi-dent-general, his Grace Archbishop Redwood ; president, Mr. A. H. Casey ; vice-president, Mr. H. McKeowen ; hon. secretary, Mr. P. J. McGovern ; hon. treasurer, Mr. J. McGowan ; executive, Messrs. L. Reichel, E. J. Ley don, and S. J. Moran. Tihe president spoke at some length upon the literary and commercial position of the ' Catholic Magazine,' and gave very good advice to members as to the nature of contributions, and how they should be written. Mr. McGovern said* that if- the other centres woMd ' contribute proportionately as much as Wellington, the Executive could easily publish the ' Magazine ' monthly. If every member would subscribe it would be .of the greatest benefit. • . „ Rev. Brother George deplored the lack of literary articles, and promised one article from the Auckland Club for each issue, and hoped- other clubs would act similarly. - - ■ . . " A proposal from the ' N.Z. Tablet ' for the regular : publication of reports from the various clubs, in the . form of a monthly supplement, was considered,,' and it.was decided the time was inopportune for ' accepting it. A report from the Auckland' Club was read by Rev. Brother George, in which it was stated that there were 300 members on the roll. The various committees, formed with the object of popularising and managing the club, were mentioned. The report of the Wellington Club showed 218 members; £191 l^s 8d were received, and £150 were expended during the year. The literary portion of the business was most successful, ' and fifteen enteitainnrcents - were held. , During -the coming y/ear canvassers would jro~ round to- collect money for the erection of commodious club rooms. A sum/ of . £2600 was already in hand for this purpose. Mr. Barry reported favorably regarding' the Temuifca Club. They were fortunate in having provided "for them' free of cost a meeting room and billiard "table. - Mr. Murphy, Wanganui, reported that over £400 were contributed, leaving a . balance at the end of the year of over £10. The membership was 262. Mr. Patten reported on Onehunga, where rooms were' fitted up, and the billiard table was now free of debt. They had a membership of nearly 50, and the club had good prospects. Mr. Fama reported on Blenheim. He stated that £300 were received in " contributions. A very fine halLwas at "theixr disposal. Brother George read a report from -the/New Plymouth Club, where good literary work had been' accbmpilished. A nice hall, bil- • liard table, and library were provided. The member- ■ ship was 50. The delegate for Christchurch gave an interesting account of the progress and doings of hisclub, which showed that the members were united in

their efforts to,. achieve success. In. this they were aided by the clergy of Christchuroh. An adjournment took place at 5.30 p.m. The president announced before the delegates left, ' that ail were expected to approach the Holy Table .on Easter Sunday at the Cathedral. A good muster of- the delegates and the members of the local club attended St. Patrick's Cathedral on Easter Sunday at the 9 o'clock Mass, During Mass the members sang several hymns. Mr. Harry Hiscocks presided at the organ.' "Rev. Father Holbrook (chaplain of the local club) addressed the delegates and members and tendered to them a hundred - thousand welcomes to the Cathedral parish, in which the first cathedral in this Dominion was built. In - a public manner that morn'mg they had proclaimed their faith, and it was a grand sight to see so many young men gathered together. He wished them a pleasant stay, and safe return to their homes. After Mass the memibters . gathered in St. Patrick's- Convent school, where breakfast had been prepared by the ladies of the parislh.. _ . The president (Mr.«*_Casey) thanked the local club, and all those who had contributed to make their stay both profitable and pleasurable, and the ladies for their kindness in preparing the breakfast. . The delegates at 'the conclusion of the "breakfast took up the consideration of the balance ' of the busiM3ss leto uver from tine preceding day, the principal .subjects dealt with being;— Suggestions for the improvement of the Federation and of individual clubs ; the necessity of carrying ~ out the various recommendations . ' enxbodaed in Rule -16 ; inter-club . competitions— rules . for the conduct thereof ; inter -club visits ; representation of the Federation" at foreign conferences ; miscellaneous matters. - ' ' ~ < A hearty vote of thanks was passed to the chairman, and wie meeting closed. . .' - On Sunday afternoon the delegates were ta>ken on a water excursion down the harbor, which unfortur nately was marred by heavy rain, but despite this an enjoyable time was spent. The delegates left lor home during the week.