DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND

New Zealand Tablet, 19 November 1908, Page 24

DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND

The Cathedral debt was reduced by by the late Dominion fair, while the residue of the Cardinal's reception contributed its quota. On last Tuesday evening a large number of club „ members assembled in the club rooms # for the purpose of tendering a farewell to Mr. James Lonergan, who is about to take his departure for Sydney for the purpose of prosecuting his musical studies in that city. The tables were very tastefully decorated, and the whole arrangements reflected the greatest credit on the organising ability of Mr. P. Clarke, the musical director. The president of the club occupied the chair, and after the toast of the Pope and King had been duly honored he presented Mr: Lonergan with a handsome pocket-book, suitably inscribed. He referred to the great esteem in which Mr. Lonergan was held by his fellow-members and the sterling qualities by which he endeared himself to them, and expressed the assurance he felt that the energy which had been displayed by their guest in the past would infallibly lead him to success. Mr. Lonergan 's health was then proposed by Mr. Clarke and enthusiastically honored. In replying, Mr. Lonergan spoke of the many happy days he had spent among the old boys, and said he would always treasure the token of their appreciation and esteem. Mr. Lonergan, sen., also spoke, thanking the Old Boys' Club for the honor it was that evening "conferring upon his son, and emphasising very forcibly the great advantages to be derived from membership in a Catholic Club. A splendid musical programme was provided, Mr. Lonergan himself being in exceptionally good voice, and he was ably assisted by artists of such high standing -as Messrs. T. Gusscotto, Pritchard, Fred Rowe, F. Adeane, L. O'Malley, and last, but not leabt, Mr. Allan McElwain, whose humorous recitals wore grooled with much laughter and prolonged applause. The fourth annual general meeting of the Marist Brothers' Old Boys' Club was held on last Thursday evening. There was an excellent attendance of members, and the proceedings were marked by the greatest enthusiasm. The secretary read the annual report, which showed the great progress that had been made by the club during the past year, as evidenced by the increased activity in all the branches. Notwithstanding the heavy outlay occasioned by the alterations to the premises, the balance sheet showed that the finances of the club were in a particularly sound condition. The splendid work done by the social committeein this connection and by its energetic secretary, Mr. R. O'Brien, ' in particular, received special commendation. The election of * officers resulted as follows : — General secretary, Mr. C. J. Mahon (re-elected) ; vice-president, Mr. F. Carrington ; auditor, Mr. W. Kemble. A vote of thanks to the retiring vice-president (Mr. J. J. Furlong) was unanimously carried on the motion of Brother Borgia. A vote of thanks was accorded to the editors of the Catholic Magazine for ihe noble work they are doing in the cause of Catholic clubs and Catholic literature. Speaking to this motion, the Rev. Father Murphy, who was present with the Rev. Father Wright, spoke of the difficulties encountered in the publication of the local periodical, The Catholic Monthly, and solicited the support of all club members for this little magazine, which Tie felt was destined to do much good among the Catholics of the Auckland diocese. Father Murphy also proffered i^ie valuable suggestion that there should be printed cards showing the objects of the club, etc., and that these cards should be distributed among the hotels and boarding-houses, so that visitors from the country might have an opportunity of knowing of tho existence of the club and enjoying its benefits during their sojourn in the city. After some routine business" had been - gone through, and about fifteen now members had been enrolled, the meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the chair. The oratorical competition promulgated by the Federal Executive took place in the club rooms on Saturday, the 14th inst. Mr. W. E. Hackett was appointed sole judge out of ten nominations. A ' field 'of seven faced the 'starter,' and the winner was Mr. T. O'Shca, who spoke on Daniel O'Connell ; Mr. J. McKcnna, on Napoleon, being a close second. The other speakers were Messrs. C. Mahoh, P. Sheehan, F. Adeane, B. Cottrell, and H. Vanderspcck. In giving his decision, *Mr! Hackett congratulated the speakers on the high order of excellence maintained by them, and promised to donate annually for five years a gold medal of the value of five guineas, to be competed for under conditions to be drawn up by the committee. To the Sacred Heart College Debating Club, the members of which were present, Mr. Hackett further promised a donation under similar conditions of a gold medal, valued at two guineas. A hearty vote of thanks to Mr. Hackett was carried by' acclamation.