CATHOLIC CLUBS

New Zealand Tablet, 18 May 1911, Page 916

CATHOLIC CLUBS

HOKITIKA. (From the club correspondent.) The first of the fortnightly euchre tournaments under the auspices of, the Catholic Club was held in the rooms on Tuesday evening, the 9th inst. There was a good attendance, about fifteen tables being occupied. After a very exciting contest, the lady’s prize fell to Mrs. Coulson, and the gentleman’s prize to Mr. L. Dwan. The quarterly Communion of the club members took place on last Sunday morning, and was very largely attended, about sixty members approaching the Holy Table. After Mass those present adjourned to the club rooms, where breakfast was partaken of. Much credit is' due to the committee, and also to the assisting ladies (Misses M. Bourke, J. O’Connor, and E. Harvey), for the •plendid manner in which the arrangements were carried out. ’ V - THAMES. (From the club correspondent.) May 11. The annual general meeting of the Thames Catholic Club was held in the club rooms on Wednesday, 10th inst. The annual report and balance sheet were- read. The chief consideration of the meeting was the unsatisfactory state of the finances. It was resolved to adopt certain measures to relieve the financial stress. The formal opening was fixed for 23rd inst. Several new members were elected. The following were elected officers: —Patron, Very Rev. Monsignor O’Reilly, V.F.; president and chaplain, Rev. Father Tigar, 0.P.; vice-presidents Dr. Lapraik, Messrs. A. Myers, M.P., J. Inglis, J. Quinn, J. Cream; working vice-presidents—E. Kenny, W. Meehan; executive —J. Connolly, J. F. Twohill, A. Coakley, J. Crean, F. Lowson, E. Rice, H. Damn, C. Coakley; hon. secretary, II McDonnell; assistant secretary and treasurer, C. Hanson; hon. auditor, D. Twohill. The first step in the direction of forming ladies’ hockey clubs this season was taken last Monday evening, when a well-attended meeting of Catholic young ladies decided to form and enter two teams (Thursday and Saturday afternoon teams) in the competition which the Hockey Association is endeavouring to establish. The election of officers resulted as follows; —Patron, Rev. Father Tigar, O.P. ; president, Air. G. Hanson vice-presidents Messrs. A. Coakley, J. Connolly, J. F. Twohill, F. Lowson, and W. Gill; executive, Misses Foy, M. Lynch, V. Twohill, T. Mellett, C. Foy, A. Corbett, R. Dunbar; hon secretary, Miss D. Moran; hon. treasurer, Miss N. Coakley; hon. auditor, Miss A. Mcllott. QUEENSTOWN. (From the club correspondent.) May 6. There was only a moderate attendance of members at the opening of the St. Joseph’s Literary and Debating Club on Thursday, May 4, when the question, Should bachelors be taxed?’ was debated. The debate was most interesting, and some most creditable speeches were delivered, the affirmative side winning by the narrow margin of two points. The programme for next evening is a paper by the Rev. Father O’Donnell on ‘Home Ride,’ and also a paper by Mr. Mulgan. May 13. There was a fair attendance of members at the meeting of the St. Joseph’s Literary and Debating Club held in the schoolroom on Thursday evening. The programme for the evening was a paper by the Rev. Father- O’Donnell, and one also by Mr. R. Mulgan. The Rev. Father O’Donnell gave a most interesting paper on ‘ Home Rule,’ dealing with the history of Ireland since it had its own Parliament up to the present day. Mr. Mulgan contributed a most interesting paper on the subject, ‘ Is compulsory military training a sound national policy?’ Both writers were awarded a hearty vote of thanks. The following gentlemen will take part in the debate, 4 Should Catholic schools receive State aid?’:—Affirmative—Messrs. Gavin, Fitzpatrick, and 0. Mcßride; negative Messrs. Mulgan, Shepherd, and D. Mcßride. CHRISTCHURCH. (From the club correspondent.) s May 3. The usual weekly meeting of the Catholic Club was held in the club rooms on Tuesday evening, May 2. Mr. J. R. Hayward (president) was in the chair, and there was a good attendance of members. Now that the holidays are over, we may look forward to large attendances at the weekly meetings. The delegates to the recent Federation Conference held in the club rooms at Easter gave an account of the proceedings. The president reported that he had attended a preliminary meeting to arrange for the visit of the Home Rule delegation, the members present receiving the president’s remarks with great enthusiasm; and those present, together with nearly every other member of the club, will be found willing workers in the great cause.

It was decided to have a debate with the X.Y.Z. Club about the middle of June. A very strong team will be put forward to uphold the honor of the club. The series of debates (inter-member) arranged for the winter season is already creating great interest. . The club intends holding a concert shortly, with the object of raising funds to wipe off the club’s overdraft. A strong committee of ladies will be formed, which should assure the success of the venture. The item on the syllabus for the evening was an impromptu debate, those taking part being Messrs. Rowe, Healey, Dennehy, Murphy, MoKeon, Beveridge, Harbison, Tullock, McNamara, and Dobbs. A very interesting list of subjects was debated, and a most enjoyable and instructive evening was spent. May 10. The usual weekly meeting of the- Catholic Club was held on Tuesday evening. May 9, the item on the syllabus being a card and billiard tournament. There was a splendid attendance of club members and several intending members. Owing to a very large entry for the billiard portion of the programme, the final was not played until a very late hour. It is evident that the club is going to have some big musters during the winter evenings, and the management arc to be congratulated on the manner in which the business of the club is being conducted, both the literary and social items receiving careful attention. The forthcoming visit of the Home Rule delegates is arousing great interest in club circles, and the members will not be found wanting when the time arrives for assisting the great cause. The club’s concert, which, by the way, promises to provide one of the finest entertainments held in Christchurch for a long time, has been definitely fixed for August. The success of club members at the recent competitions is very grati/ying to the club, those taking part on behalf of the club carrying off two firsts and a second, thus giving much-needed financial assistance to the funds. Judging from what the writer saw of the competitions, there should not be any difficulty in securing a great number of firsts at the next competitions. O AMARU. (From the club correspondent.) The annual general meeting of St. Patrick’s Club was held on May 1, there being a full attendance of members, presided over by the president (Mr. T. O’Grady). The principal business was the adoption of the report and balance sheet and the election of officers for the ensuing year. '[’he club’s finances were shown to be in a sound condition, and the membership very satisfactory. The outgoing officers did not stand,for re-election, and the following were elected for the current year;—Patron, Right Rev. Monsignor Mackay, V.G.; president, Mr. J. Cagney, senr. ; vice-presidents, Messrs. J. G. Grave, P. C. Hjorring. P. Kelly, and F. J. Mulvihill; chaplain, Rev. Father Farthing; auditor, Mr. J. Breen ; secretary, Mr. W. Collins; treasurer, Mr. George Cartwright; executive, Messrs. F. Ongley, M. J. Hannon, J. J. O’Connor, J. Saunders, Jas. Molloy, J. .Roxburgh, and J. Birss. After routine business had been transacted, the opening date was left to the executive. A vote of thanks to-the chairman concluded the meeting. ONEHUNGA. (From our club correspondent.) May 1. The half-yearly meeting of the Onehunga Catholic Club was held in the club rooms last Sunday after the 10 o’clock Mass. There was a good attendance of members. The secretary read the report and balance sheet, which showed the club to be in a flourishing state both financially and numerically. The following officers were elected for the ensuing term : —Patron, his Lordship Bishop Cleary chaplain, Very Rev. Father Mahoney; president, Mr. A. J. Martin; vice-presidents, Messrs. B. McLaughlin, J.P., and I). I. Williams; secretary, Mr. J. E. Dempsey; assistant secretary and treasurer, Mr. J. Kennedy; auditors, Messrs. H. Thoihson and J. P. Boland; custodians,, Messrs. A. V. Patten, K. Bay, and V. McGuire. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the retiring president (Mr. B. McLaughlin, J.P.) and officers for the able manner in which they had carried out their duties. On Thursday evening the club made a start with the syllabus for the winter session, the item being an opennight to the members and their lady friends. A very enjoyable time was spent, and during the evening the president presented the diplomas of merit won by Mr. A. V. Patten and Mr. J. P. Boland. The many friends of the club’s popular secretary (Mr. Jos. Dempsey) will regret to learn that he at present lies seriously ill in an Auckland hospital, after having undergone an operation for appendicitis.