HIBERNIAN SOCIETY

New Zealand Tablet, 4 September 1913, Page 36

HIBERNIAN SOCIETY

HALF-YEARLY DISTRICT MEETING (From our Auckland correspondent.) ; The half-yearly meeting of the N.Z. District of the H.A.C.B. Society was held in the Hibernian Hall, Wellington street, Auckland, on Wednesday evening, August 27. The officers present were Bros. D. Flynn (district president), A. J. Martin (district vice-presi-dent), M. J. Sheahan (district treasurer), W. Kane (district secretary). Apologies for inability to attend were received from the P.DP. and Bro. Shaldrick (Wellington). The following were the delegates: —Greymouth, Bro. Jos. Carter; Charleston, Bro. P. Diiffin; Dunedin, Bro. Jas. Smith; Auckland, Bros. C. Reynolds, E. J. Miskell, and Jas. J. O'Brien; Christchurch, Bros. E. Dane, C. Teahon, and H. J. McMullin; Onehunga, Bro. Jas. P. Boland; Napier, Bro. John Corbett; Wellington (95), Bro. J. Rafferty; Blenheim, Bro. E. J. Shanley; New Plymouth, Bro. Jas. T. O'Brien; Waipawa, Bro. Jas. Grace; Hastings, Bro. Jno. McKenna; Leeston, Bro. John Patterson; New Headford, Bro. E. J. Higgins; Timaru, Bros. P. J. Nerheny and S. Nerheny; Masterton, Bro. Jas. McDonald; Milton, Bro. P.' Carroll Oamaru, Bro. H. Duffin; Waimate, Bro. M. Hurley; Denniston, Bro. H. McGahan; Westport, Bro. Rev. Father Ormond; Gisborne, Bro. C. Little; Reefton, Bro. Jos. Martin; Palmerston North, Bro. Jas. Mcßride; Ashburton, Bro. Dan McCarten; Waihi, Bro. P. Colvin; Kaiapoi, Bro. Wm. Heath; Taihape, Bro. Jos. Leydon; Manaia, Bro. John McNamara ; Invercargill, Bro. L. Leahy ; Gore, Bro. Thos. M. Robertson; Geraldine, Bro. C. Mulholland; Opunake, Bro. John Shine; Port Chalmers, Bro. M. D. Sexton; Wanganui, Bro. F. J. O'Meara; Inglewood, Bro. J. W. Kennedy; Millerton, Bro. A. J. Woodley ; Kaponga, Bro. P. Rodgers; Eltham, Bro. A. Buckley; Hokitika, Bro. A. J. Duffin; Pukekohe, Bro. Jos. M. Foy, jun.; Huntly, Bro. Darby; Mosgiel, Bro. E. Hennelly; Kumara, Bro. Thos. Murray. 'Ladies' branches-—Sancta Maria, Sister E. Kane; St. Mary's, Bro. G. Neville. Following was the district officers' report:—Six new branches have been established as follows: St. Joseph's branch, Te Aroha, by the district president, assisted by the district secretary. Robert Emmet branch, Hokitika, by Bro. Nicholas Milligan (district deputy, West Coast). St. Patrick's branch, Pukekohe, by the district president, assisted by the district vice-president, district treasurer, and district secretary. St. Anthony's branch, Huntly, by the district president, assisted by the district vice-president, district treasurer, and Bro. C. Little, P.D.P. St. Mary's branch, Mosgiel, by Bro. J. J. Marlow (district deputy), assisted by several officers and members of the Dunedin branch. Michael Davitt branch, Kumara, by Bro. John Moye, assisted by Bro. Thos. Keenan, P.P., and several members of the Greymouth and Hokitika branches. The Rev. Father Clancy made a special trip from Hokitika by motor to be present. The Missionary Fathers—Rev. Fathers Creagh, C.SS.R., and Bro. the Very Rev. Father O'Connell, S.M, —also the priests in charge of parishes, have rendered valuable assistance in promoting the establishment of branches, as is generally the case, fortunately for us. We heartily esteem, appreciate, and feel deeply grateful for the services rendered to the society by the clergy, to whom we owe a debt of gratitude. We feel sure you will unite with us in offering to them our warmest thanks, also to the district deputies, officers, members, and friends who cooperate with and assist us in promoting the welfare of this excellent Catholic benefit society and extending its benefits, spiritual and temporal, throughout this Dominion. Eleven members, three members' wives, and one contributing widow of a deceased member died during'the period. We extend to their relatives our sincere sympathy in their bereavement. Funeral claims amounting'to .£260 have been repaid to branches. A sum of £272 has been received in interest, which is very

gratifying indeed, as interest earned represents a- ; ' saving of direct payment of levies by the members to the same extent. The credit balance to this fund is now £10,500, an increase of "£376. As you will see By the balance sheet before you £10,605 represents the amount lent on account of the fund, this being accounted for by the sum of £lo4lls9d, which is temporarily borrowed from the general fund. This fund shows a decrease owing to the expense incurred in paying the return fares and expenses of the district officers and delegates in attendance at the T.M. meeting. Guarantee fund. This fund shows an increase of £26. Investment fund (for branches)—Two branches have availed themselves of this fund to increase the interestearning power of their small savings. The sum of £175 is thereby invested for them on excellent security at a good rate of interest which is collected for them free, with the advantage of being able to withdraw any amount required in case of heavy sickness experience, thus avoiding the risk of tying up too much of their money by lending for a fixed period. It is a great pity for their own sakes that more of the branches do not do likewise until they have sufficient to lend themselves. It is of very much greater importance to have their savings profitably invested than to have it lying at call in a local bank. The\D.P., on behalf of the society, attended the consecration of his Grace Archbishop O'Shea, S.M., at Wellington, and while there endeavoured to see as many of the brothers in Wellington as time did permit, also the wayside branches on his return. The district executive have under consideration a scheme for extending greater powers to branches in groups, with the hope of maintaining the unity of the society. Finance. The funeral fund balance to credit was £10,500 8s 3d. During the past half-year £260 was paid away in funeral claims. General Fund.—The expenses in connection with the triennial movable meeting held last April amounted to £343 12s lOd, and after defraying the cost of the expenses of the district, a credit balance remained of £324 7s. The guarantee fund showed a credit balance of £399 19s Id. The amount of money invested on freehold mortgage amounted to £10,605, the whole of this sum being invested in and around the city of Auckland. Unity Scheme.—The district executive has under consideration a scheme for extending greater powers to branches in groups with the hope of maintaining the unity and solidarity of the society in the Dominion. The Wellington branches made representation by wire bearing upon the proposed amendment in the constitution. A lengthy discussion followed, which was closed by an assurance from the district president that steps would be taken to amend the rules in the direction of granting an extension of powers to the branches throughout the district. He stated that while he was in Wellington he had discussed this phase of the question with the local leaders, and he had still very sanguine hopes of maintaining the unity of their great society. (Loud applause.) Contributions.—The delegate for Gisborne moved- ' That all contributions be paid one quarter in advance, and rules affected so amended.' The motion was lost. Nominations.—-Nomination of officers for the ensuing term were:—District president, Bro. A. J. Martin ; vice-president, Bro. Jas. Smith ; secretary, Bro. W. Kane; treasurer, Bro. M. J. Sheahan; auditors Bros. Jas, Smith, J. B. Stead, and C. Mulholland. Before the meeting concluded, the D.P. invited the delegates present to make a full report of the proceedings to their respective branches. He referred particularly to all that had transpired in relation to the unity of the society, and when they met for their annual meeting next February, direct representatives would attend to discuss matters which would be fraught with the greatest interest to the society in this Dominion, as well as to every member of it. Bro. Rev. Father Ormond then closed the meeting with the customary prayers. Light refreshments were handed around, after which the■ meeting was brought to a close/ '