Diocesan News

New Zealand Tablet, 22 July 1915, Page 24

Diocesan News

ARCHDiOCESE OP WELLINGTON ■ (From our own.correspondent.) July 17. Last Tuesday evening Hibernians from all parte gathered in St. Anne's Hall, Wellington South, for the purpose of honoring the retiring, president of St. Aloysius' branch (the Ven. Archdeacon Devoy, S.M.). Bro. T. Murphy, president of the branch, presided, and on the platform were the Ven. Archdeacon Devoy, Rev. Fathers W. J. Peoples, S.M., O'Connor, S.M., and Finnerty, S.M., Bros. J. P. McGowan (president), and J. J. L. Burke, P.P. (treasurer) representing St. Patrick's branch, R. P. Smyth (V.P.) Sacred Heart branch, and P. D. Hoskins (district deputy). •Bro. Murphy explained the object of the meeting, and paid a glowing tribute to the great work of Archdeacon Devoy as a Hibernian, and especially as president of St. Aloysius' branch, which during his term had made marked progress. This .was attributed in no small degree to the influence and energy -of their esteemed pastor. To mark the occasion and to remind Archdeacon Devoy of his term as president, he (Bro. Murphy), on behalf of the members asked the Archdeacon to accept a framed past-president's certificate, and trusted that he would still continue to take the kindly interest in the progress of the branch. The Ven. Archdeacon Devoy, on rising to respond, was greeted with long continued applause. He said that the gift came as a very agreeable surprise, and he was very grateful for their kindness. He appreciated the beautiful certificate very much, and he would ever regard it as a token, which would remind him of the very pleasant year he had spent in the presidential chair. He had been connected, he said, with the Hibernian Society since 1879 —the Christchurch branch being the first, then the West Coast (Waimea, Goldsborough, and Reef ton). He was instrumental in forming the Timaru branch, which to-day was one of the best in the Dominion. He was chaplain of St. Patrick's, Wellington, for many years. lie eulogised the great work of the society, and said he was proud to be connected with it. lie promised that he would always assist it as far as he was able, and trusted that it would grow and prosper. Rev. Fathers O'Connor, Peoples, and Finnerty, and Bros. Burke, Hoskins, and McGowan also spoke, congratulating the recipient, and paying a tribute to the work he had done for the advancement of Hibernianism. An excellent musical programme was contributed to by the Rev. Father Finnerty, Misses Butler, Griffin, and Scanlon, and Messrs. G. and O. Foote, and Dibbley. The sum of .£lO 10s was paid in by the Napier branch of the Catholic Federation as Diocesan Council dues, but was received too late for inclusion in the balance sheet for the year ended 30th June. The usual weekly meeting of the Catholic Club was held last Friday night, when Mr. R. Grant presided over a fair attendance of members. In order to create interest in club affairs it was decided to hold a billiard tournament immediately. Last Tuesday the literary and debating branch of the club held its usual weekly meeting at St. Patrick's Hall, when Mr. L. T. Reichel presided. The chairman gave a short address on Catholic social science study. The rest of the evening was devoted to impromptu speeches. a A successful concert was held at St. Anne's Hall in aid of the parish schools. There was a large attendance, including the Ven. Archdeacon Devoy and the Rev. Fathers T. McKenna, Peoples, O'Connor, and Finnerty. The following was the programme: Swedish drill display, convent pupils (under the direction of Mr. J.. A. Duffy); chorus, 'The Angelus,' St. Anne's Choir; song, 'Your King -arid country calls,' Miss N. Strickland; song, ' Off to Philadelphia,' Mr. E. Reade; song, •? Oh! steer by barque,' Miss Agues

Segrief; 4. quartet, ' I'he minstrel boy,' Misses Rose Segrief and N. Strickland, and Messrs. E. Reade \ and Geo. Foote; song, 'Carry on,' Mr. Geo. Foote; song, 'Go to,.sea,' Mr. R. Sievers; song, 1 The dear little shamrock,' ; Mr. O. Foote; song, 'Waiata poi,' Miss R. Segrief; chorus, 'The soldiers' chorus,' St. Anne's Choir. The accompanists were Misses K. Henderson , and R. Segrief, and Mrs. Sievers, and the stage director, Mr. E. Reade. Every item was encored. At the conclusion of the concert, the remainder of the evening was spent in social intercourse. Much credit is due to the committee, of, which Mr. W. IT. Gibbs proved an energetic secretary. The- Rev. Father Daly desires to acknowledge the receipt of £1 from Mr. Robert McKay, Longbeach, Canterbury, as a donation to the Trentham Catholic hall building fund. The half-yearly meeting of the St. Patrick's branch of the Hibernian Society was held at St. Patrick's Hall last Monday evening, Bro. J. P. McGowan presiding over a large attendance of members. The following officers > were elected: —-President, Bro. J. P. McGowan; vice-president, Bro. F. Whitaker; treasurer, Bro. J. J. L. Burke; warden, Bro. P. Sherlock;' guardian, Bro. Iv. Cleary; auditors, Bros. H. • McIveowen and F. E. McDonald; sick visitors, Bros. M. Condon and P. O'Callaghan; delegate to dispensary board, Bro. J. J. L. Burke. - The balance sheet and half-yearly report disclosed a very satisfactory position. The receipts for the quarter totalled £270, and the expenditure £2lB, of which a sum of £lO9 was for sick pay, and £lO for funeralage. The receipts of the evening totalled £SO, whilst a sum of £6 10s was passed for sick pay. Information has been received that 'the Very Rev. Father O'Connell, S.M., who is in Australia on a health visit, is now very much benefited by the change, as also is the Right Rev. Mgr. McKenna, V.G., who accompanied him for the same purpose. They visited Sydney, Adelaide, and Melbourne. His Grace Archbishop O'Shea, writing from Raratonga, the first port of call on his voyage to San Francisco, says he is already feeling the benefit of the change.