CELTIC SOCIETY, AUCKLAND

New Zealand Tablet, 12 June 1913, Page 27

CELTIC SOCIETY, AUCKLAND

(From our own correspondent.) June 5. The . first annual dinner of the Auckland Celtic Society took place last "Wednesday evening in the Tiffin Cafe. The attendance of members and friends was excellent. Councillor Hall Skelton (president) was in the chair. The first toast was ‘ The King,’ which was proposed by the chairman. The next, ‘ Erin,’ was proposed by Mr. W. J. Jennings, ex-M.P. for Taumarunui. Tlie mover spoke in eloquent terms, and showed that in this country love of Ireland was maintained as strongly by the third generation as by those who, in the first place, introduced It from old Ireland itself. Rev. Father O’Doherty responded, and gave a vivid picture of Irish life as he knew it only a few years back. He spoke of : the character, aims, and aspirations -of the Irish people, and wound up in terms which won rounds of applause. The toast of ‘ The Irish Party ’ was proposed by Mr. M. J. Sheahan, who traced the birth, growth, and great work of the Irish Parliamentary Party. . a Councillor J. C. Gleeson eloquently responded, and spoke from an intimate knowledge and acquaintance with the party and its leaders. Of their work, he spoke in terms of praise, and concluded by expressing the hope that a special ship would be chartered, and leave New Zealand next year to convey those anxious to witness the opening of the Irish Parliament. The ‘ Celtic Society ’ was proposed by Brother George, and his speech was an eloquent tribute to the genius, steadfastness, and patriotism of the Irish race. They all hailed the near advent of the day when in the ‘ old land ’ they would be enabled to put into practice those sterling attributes. The Celtic Society was striving to keep alive the Irish spirit here. Mr. P. J. Nerheny (hon. treasurer) and Mr. A. J. Woodley (hon. secretary) replied. ‘ Our guests ’ was proposed by Mr. Sexton and responded to by Mr. D. Flynn; ‘The ladies’ by Mr, E. Casey, and responded to by Mr. G. Reynolds. Recitations were given during the evening by Miss Rowe and Mr. E. Casey, and vocal items by Messrs. J. H. Egan, Duffy, and A. Austin. The accompanists were Mrs. Woodley and Misses Beresford. The function, which was most successful, concluded by all singing ‘ God save Ireland.’