N.Z. CATHOLIC FEDERATION

New Zealand Tablet, 17 July 1919, Page 30

N.Z. CATHOLIC FEDERATION

f GORE BRANCH. _ x, ; The , annual meeting of ■ the Gore : branch of the Catholic Federation was held in the local town hall on Wednesday, . July 1,. in the form of a social, gathering. Prior to the particular business of. the meeting, a euchre tournament was held, the prize-winners being Mrs, E. J, Columb and Mr. M. Fitzgerald? The Very Rev. P. O’Donnell (president), in moving the adoption of . the annual report and, statement .of accounts, expressed his appreciation of the continued support accorded to the Catholic Federation by the parishioners, and trusted the ensuing year’s returns would be as satisfactory, if not more so, than the one then under review. Mr. D. L, Poppelwell, vice-president of the branch, and president of the Dominion Council, seconded the adoption of the report and balance sheet, and spoke at length on the aims,, objects, and achievements of the Catholic Federation. After emphasising, the immense amount of good accomplished during the year by means of the Field Service Fund; Mr. Poppelwell urged a continuance of the special annual collection, formerly made in aid of this fund and amounting to upwards of .£SO. Not being now, required for its original purpose (explained the speaker), the proceeds could be applied to the purposes of . a scholarship fund in the interests of the children attending the Catholic schools of the parish. Concluding an interesting and informing address, Mr. Poppelwell referred to the signing of peace, which, it was hoped, meant peace in the true sense. Entirely new conditions. had, however, been brought about through the war, and in meeting these, and in the work of reconstruction, generally, all our Catholic resources were needed, and at no time in the whole history of the Catholic Federation was united action more necessary. This being so, our organisation required to be strengthened to its utmost limits, and, while conserving Catholic interests, .and striving for simple justice, we will be ever found in the forefront of any movement having for its object the social well-being of the whole community. Office-bearers for the ensuing year were appointed as follows; President, Very Rev. P. O’Donnell; vicepresident, Mr. D. L. Poppelwell : secretary, Mr. M. J. Francis; committee, Mrs. D. L. Poppelwell, Messrs. O. Kelly, J. Foster, J. Columb, E. J. Columb, J. Kerr, M. Fitzgerald, and J. Quirk. Representatives of the different societies of the parish on the committee will include those from the Hibernian Society, Hibernian Football Club, Altar Society, and Sodality of the Children of Mary. At the first meeting of the branch held since the signing of peace the following resolution was passed:—“That the Gore branch of the New Zealand Catholic Federation at this, its first meeting after the signing of the Peace Treaty, places on record : (1) Its gratification at the termination of the war ; (2) its profound gratitude to Almighty God for the victory of the Allies; (3) its appreciation of the great work done and sacrifices made by our brave soldiers; (4) offers its sincere condolences to those whose loved ones have lost their lives or been wounded during the war.”

•. WANGANUI BRANCH. The annual meeting of the Wanganui branch of the Catholic Federation was held in St. Joseph’s schoolroom on Sunday, June 29. Very Rev. Father O’Connell presided over a fair attendance. Mr. J. F. Stratford (secretary) read the balance sheet, which showed a . credit, and a very interesting report dealing with the year’s workings,• both of which were adopted. The i membership for the past year was 1086, ah increase of one member over the previous year. The following officers and committee were elected;President, Very Rev. J. A. O’Connell ;■ vice-presidents, Messrs. W. M. Luxford and T. i Lloyd; secretary and treasurer, Mr. F. J. Stratford. Committee—representing St. ' Mary’s•.-.’.Church, Misses O’Sullivan and Aram burn, Messrs. Redwood', Koorey, Warwick, and Barry; representing St. Joseph’s ( Aramoho) , ’ Mesdames Keegan and Coxon, Messrs. Luxford, Dowling, Collins, • and Taunton; representing

A Hibernians, Messrs. Stratford and Morgan; represents ing St". ,/Vinqeilt de Paul Society (ladies, Aramoho), Mesdames Luxford and Richardson; representing St, Vincent de Paul Society (Men's Conference, Aramoho), Messrs. Hartley and Provost; and the Wanganui Conference, Messrs. Lloyd and Hart. . Reference -was made to the good work done by the late secretary, Mr. Collins, who was «* obliged to relinquish the office owing to pressure of other 5 duties. O'loqws&o bouqa-f" -:;.«;

, , . NORTH-EAST VALLEY. ; : The annual meeting of members' of the Sacred Heart Church/congregation, .North-East Valley, was held on Sunday evening, in the schoolroom, after devotions, to elect a committee for the ensuing year in connection with the Catholic Federation. The Very Rev, Father Coffey presided, and there was a’good attendance. The nominations for membership of the committee exceeding the number required, a ballot was taken and resulted in the return of the following:Misses Murphy and Skinner, Messrs H. L. : Gallien, J. Matheson, J. Dunne, and Mellick. Mr Matheson was elected secretary and treasurer, and Messrs. Gallien and Dunne representatives on St. Joseph’s Cathedral Parish Committee. The committee undertook to keep the church and school property in order, a further work, suggested by Father Coffey, being the compiling of a complete census of the Catholics residing in the North-East Valley portion of St. Joseph’s Cathedral parish. It was decided to at once commence the enrolment of member's for the present year.