THE CATHOLIC CLUB, WELLINGTON

New Zealand Tablet, 18 September 1913, Page 45

THE CATHOLIC CLUB, WELLINGTON

(From the club correspondent.) The thirtieth half-yearly meeting of the Catholic Club, Wellington, was held on September 3. Mr. J. L. Ley don presided, and there was a good attendance of members. The report presented showed all branches of the club to be in a healthy condition, and the outlook promising.- A good deal of furnishing has been accomplished, and the rooms mad© more comfortable and inviting. The balance sheet showed the cash in hand to be £l2 15s 4d, while there were liabilities amounting to £lB. The balance of assets over liabilities was shown to be £lB6 4s lid. The election of officers for the ensuing term resulted as follows: —Patron, his Grace Archbishop Redwood; president, his Grace Archbishop O'Shea; vice-presidents, Very Rev. Dean Regnault, S.M. (Provincial), Rev. Father Herring, Rev. Brother Basil, Messrs. M. O'Connor, J. McGowan, J. L. Leydon, E. W. Dunne, G. Girling-Butcher, G. Dee, and M. Kennedy; secretary, Mr. J. E. Ward; treasurer, Mr. G. Dee; executive—Messrs. J. O'Sullivan, L. Blake, H. Rees, ; J. O'Brien, W. B. Kenney, M. O'Kane, V. O'Brien, T. Gallagher, H. McKeown, and J. Quinn; auditors, Messrs. F. MacDonald and J. F. O'Leary. The following motion was unanimously carried ' That the members of this club in general meeting assembled wish to congratulate their president, his Grace _ Archbishop O'Shea, on the occasion of his consecration' as Coadjutor-Archbishop of Wellington, and to convey to him an expression of their loyalty and best wishes for a long and happy career.' A 'considerable amount of routine business was transacted, amongst which motions were carried preventing anyone from participating . in the sports adjuncts without'first becoming a member of the club; reducing the subscription from the Ist of April next to 5s per annum, and instituting a system of monthly general meetings. Votes of thanks to the outgoing officers and chairman concluded a successful and enthusiastic meeting. During the evening Mr. J. McGowan was presented by Mr. G. Dee, on behalf of the club's literary society, with a walking stick as a token of appreciation for many years of service rendered to that important branch of the club. ST. MARY'S CATHOLIC MEN'S CLUB, HOKITIKA (From the club correspondent.) September 9. A very interesting contest, in the form of an impromptu debate, took place last evening in St. Mary's rooms, between St. Mary's and St. Andrew's (Presbyterian) debating clubs. Mr. D. J. Evans adjudicated, and the debate was between pairs of the two clubs. Mr. L. Gooch (St. Andrew's) and Mr. J. Hanrahan debated the subject, * That the Mayor should 'be elected by the Council.' Mr. Gooch secured 62 points, and Mr. Hanrahan 60. Mr. Folley (St Anand Mr. Wormington debated 'That the pen is mightier than the sword.' This was the premier debate of the evening. Mr. Folley secured 69 points and Mr. Wormington 72. Mr. W. Warren and Mr. G. Moore (St. Andrew's) debated, ' That the leasehold is preferable to freehold.' Mr. Warren .obtained 60 points and Mr. Moore 56. Mr. H Williams and Mr A. Heinz (St. Andrew's debated 'That the Upper House should be abolished.' Mr. Williams obtained 61 points and Mr. Heinz 58. Mr. C. Moore (St. Andrew's) and Mr. J. Downey debated 'That the Daylight Saving Bill should be adopted. Mr. Moore obtained 63 points and Mr. Downey 57. The totals, with replies, for the affirmative were—St. Mary's' 334; St. Andrew's, 329. On the motion of Mr, Warren, supported by Mr. A. Folley, a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Mr. Evans for judging, and Mr. J. Downey, sen., for acting as timekeeper. The

members of St. Andrew's Club .were - afterwards entertained at supper by members of St. Mary ? Club. A large number of friends assembled at St. Mary's Club rooms on September 5 to bid farewell to Mr. and Mrs. H. Burger, who are leaving the district. ': - Rev. Father. Clancy occupied the chair, and' in stating the object of the gathering made feeling reference to the loss the community would sustain by the departure of Mr. and Mrs. Burger. He dwelt ; at length on the many good qualities of Mr. "Burger, making special reference to the interest taken by their guest in choir matters; in fact, in any matters pertaining. ;. to the Church Mr. Burger was always ready 'to help. He felt he was voicing the feeling of all present when he said that their guest had earned the esteem and goodwill of the community by his unfailing courtesy. On behalf of those present he would ask Mr. Burger to accept a purse of sovereigns as an expression of the esteem hi which he was held by the congregation of St. Mary's. The Rev. Father concluded by wishing Mr. Burger,- his wife and family, health, prosperity, and happiness in their future home. Messrs. R. Phillips, L. Dwan, J. Newson, H. Holloway, E. O'Connor, and J. Toohey also spoke, one and all eulogising their guest' for his kind deeds during his stay amongst them. Mr. Burger, on rising to respond, was greeted with loud aplause. He said that since his stay in Hokitika he had made many friends and had received much kindness,, and felt sure that his departure from here would be : keenly felt by him. He thanked them for the kindly references made to himself and wife, and also for the handsome present made to him. Cheers were called for Mr. and Mrs. Burger, which were responded to in a very hearty manner. .The staff of Messrs. McKay and Son, of which Mr. Burger has been manager for the past twelve years,, met on Saturday to say farewell and present him with a token of esteem, and goodwill. The presentation,, which consisted of a handsome travelling rug," was accompanied by words expressing the appreciation by the staff of his management and courtesy to them during his long term of office, and wishing him success; and prosperity. Mr. Burger suitably replied, thanking them for their gift, reciprocating their good feeling and kindly wishes. ST. COLUMBA CLUB, GREYMOUTH (From our own correspondent.) -_- The weekly meetings of the St. Columba Club have been exceptionally well attended of late, and at all meetings the syllabus mainly consists of items for the coming competitions, which open this month. The club will be represented by the following members in the various items: —lmpromptu speech, prepared speech, "and debate— Doogan, Gilbert, Rasmussen (2), Keating, Fraser, and Dillon (prepared speech) ; elocution Messrs. Dillon, Doogan, Minehan, O'Donnell, Millard, McGrath (2), Rasmussen (2). At the request of the Federation, the club executive have had the inter-club shield photographed, and are sending one of the photos to each of the affiliated clubs. It is to be hoped that the photograph will serve to stimulate a little more interest in the competition for the shield next year. The St. Columba Club, however, intends to he well represented at the conference, - and the club that defeats it for the shield will have to fight hard for it. I trust that the executive will keep this matter before all clubs during the next few months, so that the next Easter conference will be a success in every way.