ST. COLUMBA CLUB, GREYMOUTH

New Zealand Tablet, 22 April 1915, Page 53

ST. COLUMBA CLUB, GREYMOUTH

t . (From our own correspondent.) x H At the eleventh annual meeting of the St. Columba Club, Greymouth, there was a large attendance; The balance sheet, which was received and adopted, showed the club to IjP m a sound position financially. The secretary#s report was, impart, as follows; ■Financially, the club has had -a very fair year. The subscriptions collected for the first half year exceeded the amount for any previous half year, but unfortunately they dropped off towards the end of the season. We were honored during the year with a visit from the late Bishop Grimes. The club, together with the other Catholic associations, held a social evening in the rooms at which his Lordship was the recipient of an address fiom each society. His Lordship subsequently delivered a splendid address on the life'of ‘Daniel O’Connell.-’ There were twenty new members elected during the year. We have now 92 active members on the roll. Messrs. M. Keating, B. Rasmussen; J. Cain, and F. Hargreaves represented the club at the annual tournament and conference of Catholic clubs, which was held at Auckland, he tournament shield, previously held by this club, was won by St. Benedict’s Club, Auckland, our team being defeated by the narrow margin of two points in the aggregate scores. Messrs. M. Keating and B. Rasmussen acted as delegates at the conference. The club maintained a very high standard in the debates, defeating Trinity in both A and B giades. A billiard tournament was held and was won by- Mr. W. Minehan. The 1913 and 1914 oratorical competitions were held. Mr. Keating was the winner of the former. There were eight competitors. Mr. J. K. Campbell acted as judge, and paid a flattering tribute to the competitors for the standard attained. Mr. B. Rasmussen was the winner of the latter. There were seven competitors. Mr. A. A. Adams acted as judge. He also expressed his appreciation of the standard attained by the competitors. In the annual competitions success again followed our efforts, as both senior and junior teams won the much-coveted cups. The senior cup now becomes the property of the club, having been won three years in succession. The junior club hold two cups. Mr. A. A. Adams kindly donated a prize to the club competitor gaining the highest aggregate points in four specified items. Mr. 11. F. Doogan proved the winner. The club has been unfortunate in losing the valuable services of Mr. K. S. Dillon, who has gone to reside at Hokitika. An appropriate presentation was made to him by the members of the competition team, and also to Mrs. Dillon by the members of the club. The four quarterly Communions and the annual breakfast were held, and were well attended. The usual series of socials were held, and became very popular as the year progressed. Twenty-two meetings were held, and were all fairly well attended. There are several members serving with the colors at the front. The report was adopted. Two new members were elected, and Mr. K. S. Dillon was elected a life member. The election of officers for the ensuing year was then proceeded "with, and after extremely close voting, ties being quite a .common occurrence, the following were elected:-—President, Mr. 11. F. Doogan; hon. vice-presidents, Rev. Brothers Alfred and Arthur; spiritual director, Rev. Father Lacroix; secretary, Mr. M. McGilligan; vice-secretary, Mr. H Millard; vicepresidents—Messrs. P. J. Smythe, O. Rasmussen, and F. Hargreaves; treasurer, Mr. M. Keating; librarian, Mr. Renai; committee, Messrs. W. t Martin and W. B. Gilbert; auditors, Messrs. W. B. Gilbert and M. Renai; sub-editor, Mr. H. Millard; delegates to competitions society— 11. F. Doogan, W. B. Gilbert, and M. Keating. The spirit in which the business of the meeting was conducted, and the enthusiasm shown by members, augurs well for the future success of the club. ■ t