Marist Brothers' Old Boys' Association CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, 16 March 1911, Page 479

Marist Brothers' Old Boys' Association CHRISTCHURCH

(From oar, own correspondent.) Tho first annual meeting of the Marist Brothers Brothers' Old Boys' Association was held in the boys' schoolroom, Barbadoes street, Christchurch, on last Monday evening. The Rev. Brother Calictus (principal of the Marist Brothers' School) and 105 members were present. Mr. C. Lafferty was elected chairman. The meeting was honored by th« presence of the Right Rev. Mgr. Fowler and Very Rev. Father Price, Adm., who were accorded a most enthusiastic welcome. The Right Rev. Mgr. Fowler, after a brief introduction by the chairman, gave an address in the course of which he- urged his hearers to apply them.selves not only to athletics, but to the more important duty of becoming loyal and patriotic to their country, good citizens, and practical Catholics. The Very Rev. Father Price, Adm., in a happy speech encouraged a close combination of the members, wished the association every success and prosperity, and promised it his financial support. On their retiring from the meeting Monsignor Fowler and Very Rev. Father Price were accorded hearty cheers. The Secretary (Mr. H. Fitzgerald) read the annual report and balance sheet, which were received and adopted. The following was in part the annual report:—ln presenting this, our first annual report, your committee take the opportunity of congratulating the members for their united efforts in making the club the great success it has been, for ..which you have won our esteem and appreciation. The club competed in four competitions during the past season, which, being its first, practically establishes a. record in football. It was no light task to send out four teams regularly each week-end. Though not at the top of the pole with regard to the championships, your performances were highly creditable, and with new training quarters which you will have in the near future, we feel sure you will improve on last season's achievements. A number of enjoyable socials were held during the season, the success of which was due mainly to Mr. H. Fitzgerald. Your committee undertook, on behalf of the club, to give a concert in aid of tho M.B. School renovation fund. It was a thorough success, £B4 being realised and handed to the Administrator for that purpose. They also undertook on your behalf the management of the Catholic picnic and sports on Boxing Day. This undertaking also proved successful, and a further £l9 was added to the Boys' School fund. Your committee regret to report the loss of prominent members, in the Rev. Bro. Walter, Mr. P. Amodeo, H. St. A. Murray, and Mr. C. Brown, all of whom have left for other parts of the Dominion. A trophy presented by Mr. C. Lafferty, to be awarded the player who trained the most consistently during the past season, was drawn by Mr. C. Meecham. A further presentation will be made of a trophy, by Mr. A. F. Donoghue, to the member of the senior team who proved himself the best, being awarded to Mr. J. Mahoney. lie showed consistent form throughout the season, and was the only member to gain representative honors in Interprovincial football. The annual Church parade and general Communion of the members took place in June last, and members to the number of 122 marched in regalia to and from the school to the Cathedral. After Mass the members were entertained at breakfast in the Boys' Schoolroom, and we cannot sufficiently thank the ladies who, at so much inconvenience to themselves, officiated at the breakfast. In conclusion, we must thank the Very Rev. Father Price, Adm., who, besides being our chaplain, has been a willing and untiring helper in our cause. Knowing he has our interests at heart we feel sure he will assist us in the future as in the past, and hope he will be long spared to us. The receipts for the year amounted to £94 13s lOd, and the expenditure to £Bl 13s lOd, leaving a credit balance of £l3. Mr. L. Corbett, in encouraging terms, referred to the club's performances on the football field, and expressed his belief that in the near future, with assiduous training, and a keen interest by members, this combination would be found disputing, and even securing, the highest honors held out by the Canterbury Rugby Union. His Lordship the Right Rev. Dr. Grimes, S.M., is patron, Sir George Clifford, president; Very Rev. Father Price, Adm., chaplain; Very Rev. Father Price, Adm., Rev. Dr. Kennedy, Messrs. C. Lafferty, J. Power, W. Rodgers, G. Dobbs, T. Cahill, M. Mannix, A. F. Donahue, E. O'Connor, S. Flood, R. O. Duncan, and A. J. Malley are vice-presidents of the association. The following other officers were elected: Club captain, Mr. L. Corbett; lion, secretary, Mr. H. Fitzgerald; assistant secretary, Mr. C. Baker; treasurer, Mr. Jas. Power; committee Messrs. G. Mahony, J. McQuillan, E. O'Connor, E. Kennedy, and A. Watkins; delegates to Rugby Union—Messrs. L. Corbett, C. Lafferty, G. Mahony, and H. Fitzgerald ; auditors, Rev. Bro. Calictus and Mr. M. Mannix; delegate to Sports Protection Association, Mr. H. Fitzgerald. The formal opening of the season was fixed for Saturday, March 25. The arrangements regarding the proposed visit to Timaru at Easter were left to the executive committee with a recommendation that the junior players should be considered in the matter. Arrangements for a training room were, after discussion., also referred to the

executive committee. Rev. Bro. Calictus presented Messrs. C. Meecham and J. Mahoney with a medal each as trophies Avon, being gifts to the club by Messrs. A. F. Donoghuo and C. Lafferty. Several rules having been amended and new ones adopted, and thirty new candidates nominated, this very successful first annual meeting avas brought to a close with a vote of thanks to the chairman.