Diocesan News

New Zealand Tablet, 4 June 1914, Page 25

Diocesan News

ARCHDIOCESE OF WELLINGTON (From our own correspondent.) May 29. His Grace Archbishop O’Shea left last Saturday morning on a brief visit to the Taranaki district. The St. Anne’s Ladies’ Club held a very successful euchre party at St. Anne’s Hall last Wednesday evening. The parishioners of Thorndon held a most successful social, in aid of the education fund, last Wednesday evening in the Sydney Street Schoolroom. There was a large attendance, including the Rev. Fathers W. T. Tymons, Adm., and Smyth. ‘ Should trial by jury be abolished?’ was the subject of a debate by members of the Catholic Literary and Debating-Society in St. Patrick’s Hall, last Tuesday evening. Mr. G. Dee presided, and the Rev. Father Yenning, S.M., was present as director. Mr. J. Grant took the affirmative, and Mr. R. Duffy the negative, both stating their case with considerable ability. A general discussion followed, and at the conclusion the chairman reviewed the evening’s work, pointing out certain defects. Father Venning also spoke, and congratulated members on the excellent showing they had made. The regrettable railway catastrophe last week claimed one of our Catholic young men in the person of Mr. Geo. N. Grimstonc, as \>ne of its victims. Mr. Grimstone occupied the position of Registrar of the Tokerau Maori Land Board District, a position to which he was appointed from the Native Land Department at Wellington a few weeks ago. The Tokerau headquarters are at Auckland. He was formerly secretary to Judge Palmer, of the Native Land Court. Mr. Grimstone had been on a short visit to Wellington, and was returning to his duties at Auckland. He was a son of the late Mr. Grimstone, who for many years was secretary of the Wellington Racing Club, and was himself much interested in sports of various kinds. He was educated at the Marist Brothers’ School, and St. Patrick’s College. The interment took place to-day at Karori. Mr. Grimstone leaves a widow and six children to mourn their loss.R.I.P. Representatives from ten different Catholic societies met at the Catholic Federation rooms last Thursday evening for the purpose of forming an'inter-Catholic Societies’ Debating Union. Mr. P. D. Hoskins, who presided, explained that there were some thirty or forty Catholic sodalities,, societies, and clubs in existence in this city, and the Wellington District Hibernian Council thought that the time was opportune for the establishment of a debasing union.? Such' a union would have an excellent effect on the young men -and women of the different societies, as it would enable them to improve themselves by studying the subjects chosen for debates. After some

discussion it was resolved to establish the union, and a sub-committee was formed for the purpose of drawing up a detailed report of the lines on which the union should work and submit it- to a meeting to be held next week, when officers will be elected. The second annual meeting of the Celtic Club was held last Thursday evening, Dr. Cahill presiding. The annual report, which was adopted, stated that the session was opened on Juno 6 by a lecture entitled 1 The Celtic Race and its Influence on British Life and Letters.’ The evening was so successful that, by special request, the lecture was repeated on July 9. Professor 11. McKenzie, M.A., of Victoria College, was the lecturer on both occasions. On August 1, Mr. E. Tregear lectured on Celtic Lore and Customs.’ ‘Charles Stewart Parnell’ was the next subject, the speaker being Mr. P. Galvin, who delivered a comprehensive and learned address. In January last the celebrated Irish tenor, Mr. John McCormack, was entertained at supper by the club. The attendance of members has been very satisfactory. The balance-sheet showed a credit of £lB 13s 7d, which, considering the club’s limited resources, was considered satisfactory. The thanks of the club were due to those who had given lectures, and also to the musical director, Mr. Blick, and those who assisted him at the various musical entertainments provided. Mr. M. O’Kane moved —‘That the annual subscription to the club be reduced to ten shillings a year. This was seconded by Mr. J. McGrath, and carried. The election of officers resulted as follows:President, Professor 11. McKenzie; vice-presidents. Dr. A. Martin, Dr. Cahill, Messrs. G. Winder, Martin Kennedy, C. W. Hendrey, P. J. Griffin, and A. A. Corrigan secretary, Mr. M. O’Kane; treasurer, Mr. J. F. O’Leary; executive committee—Messrs. J. J. McGrath, C. W. Hendrey, F. McFarland, J. Breen. On the motion of Mr. J. McGrath, the retiring president (Dr. Cahill), who did not seek re-election, was accorded a hearty vote of thanks for past services.