DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND

New Zealand Tablet, 6 March 1919, Page 21

DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND

(From our own correspondent.) March 3. His Lordship the Bishop leaves for Wellington on Sunday evening next. t His Grace Archbishop Redwood passed through Auckland this week on his return from Australia, and was the guest of his Lordship Bishop Cleary for a few days. His Grace left for Wellington on Monday evening last. J Messrs. F. Burns and J. T. Fitzgerald leave here on Sunday evening next to attend the half-yearly meeting of the Dominion Council of the Catholic Federation to be held in Dunedin next week. Rev. Father W. J. Fordo, who, for the past three years has been in charge of the parish of Taumaruuui, has been appointed Administrator of St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and will take up his new duties shortly. Father Brennan takes charge of Takapuna. A meeting of the.general committee of the St. Patrick Day celebrations was held in the Hibernian Hall on Monday evening last. There were present Very Rev. Dean Cahill, Fathers Holbrook and Brennan, Rev. Brothers Calixtus and Bonaventure, and a number of parish representatives. Mr. M. J. Sheahan presided. Reports from various committees showed that details were well in hand. Father Holbrook reported that his Lordship the Bishop had cordially approved of the proceeds of this year’s celebrations going to the Marist Brothers. Mr. W. J. Bird was elected general secretary. A Solemn Requiem Mass* for the repose of the soul of the late Bishop Lenihan was celebrated in St. Patrick s Cathedral on Wednesday morning last. His Lordship the Bishop presided. The celebrant was Father O Byrne, with Father Colgan deacon, and Father Dignan subdeacon. The clergy of the diocese were present in large numbers. The music of the Mass was rendered by the children of St.- Patrick’s Convent School, assisted by several of the clergy.

- H.A.C.B. SOCIETY DISTRICT MEETING. Delegates to the thirty-third annual meeting of the New Zealand district of the Hibernian-Australasian Catholic Benefit Society met on Wednesday evening, February 26, at the Hibernian Hall, Wellington Street, Auckland. Bro. F. J. O’Meara (president) occupied the chair. Bros. D. McCartan, D.V.P., E. J. Higgins, H-P*P*> W._ Kane, D.S., and M. J. Sheahan, district treasurer were also present, as well as delegates from various branches throughout the Dominion. f- The annual report of the officers showed that the reduced income was due to the absence of so many members with the Expeditionary Force, ' who are exempt from payment. ‘ The society had paid to branches £740 in death claims, representing 35 members and four members’ wives. Of,the members 15 had died on active sen/ nine had died of the epidemic, and 17 from ordinary causes. “Our brothers,” stated the report, “fought and died for the freedom of small nations. We hope that they did not die in vain. Wo hope that all small nations suffering from the evils inseparable from alien Government shall be freed.” Bros. —/ 4 > Higgins and W. Kane, of the executive, had visited the branches on the West Coast of the North Island in the first month of the year. Regret was expressed at the death of Bishop Verdon. Financial Statement.—The funeral fund showed a balance for the half-year of £14,573 10s, making a profit of £95 3s lid, after paying funeral claims of £740. The supplementary pick fund, after disbursing £BS for the half-year, showed a balance of £3097 13s

7d, and the sick fund a balance of £9l 2s 7d Branch funds invested totalled £2960 9s 3d, and the guarantee fund a balance of £371 9s 9d. The amount invested in good freehold security amounted to £18,855. The Blenheim branch delegate moved to strike out the penny per week contribution, and leave each branch to pay sixpence per member per quarter to the supplementary fund. The motion was lost by 21 to 9. The appointment of an assistant district secretary was approved. c The election of officers for the ensuing year resulted as follows: President, Bro. D. McCartan : vice-president, Bro, Thos. Kelly; district secretary, Bro. W. Kane; district treasurer, Bro. M. J. Sheahan • auditors, Bros J. B. R. Stead and F. J. O’Meara! The installation of officers was conducted by the retiring president, Bro. O Meara. At the conclusion of the meeting the executive entertained the delegates to supper.