Diocesan News

New Zealand Tablet, 6 October 1921, Page 23

Diocesan News

ARCHDIOCESE OF WELLINGTON

(From our own correspondent.)

September 30.

The annual meeting of the Wellington Catholic Education Board was held at its office on Wednesday week. In the absence of his Grace Archbishop O’Shea, Mr. J. J. L. Burke (vice-chairman) presided. There were also present the Very Rev. Dean McKenna, Rev. Fathers Smyth, S.M., Adm., S. Mahony, S.M., F. Cullen, Adm., Connolly, and M. Devoy, Messrk. Doherty, Hoskins, Carroll, Stratford, Giles, McPhee, Holloway, and Kershaw. The report of the finance sub-committee was, held over for discussion at a subsequent meeting. The annual report and balance sheet showed the following results: The , accumulated fund, which, at the beginning of the year, stood at £4791 18s sd, increased to £6195 7s 3d, thereby adding the sum of £1403 8s lOd, as an outcome of the year’s effort. The principal sources of revenue for the year were, the Sunday penny collections (£724), St. Patrick’s Day (£300), Boxing Day (£150), Annual Schools’ Social (£164), Donations (£510), and interest on funds invested (£337). The penny collections exceeded the previous year’s collections by £l2, and nearly covered the expenditure for the year. The total amount from the Sunday penny collections since the inauguration of the Board has now reached the sum of £5,766. The principal items of expenditure for the year were as follows:lnterest on mortagages on school properties, £251 15s; payment, of school fees for pupils whose parents are unable to contribute, £205 19s Id insurance premiums, £43 14s; water, £l2 12s ; repairs, etc., £4O 0s 8d; cleaning £110; general maintenance, £59 11s 4d; board expenses, £7B 8s 9d. The accumulated fund is well invested in freehold security. The sum of £5,708 is now invested, earning, on an average, £350 per annum in interest. Applications for the balance available for investment are now (teing dealt with. The Very Rev. Dean McKenna donated the sum of £lO to the fund, and Mr. S. Anderson, of Island Bay, two war loan certificates valued at £2. The Board desires to express its gratitude to these gererous donors, and trusts that their example will be emulated, especially by those who can afford to do /so. Of the, total amount to the credit of the fund, £1,860 represents donations made by Mrs. H. Sullivan and family (£SOO, the late Mr. Maurice O’Connor (£1,000), the late Mr. Martin Kennedy (£100), the late Mr. J. P. Bourke (£250), and the Very Rev. Dean McKenna (£10). The balance (£4,335), has been accumulated by the efforts of the Board. All the schools of the Board have been examined by the Government Inspectors, and, in every case, a most favorable report has been received. It is a matter for congratulation, therefore, that the children are taught by such an excellent staff of teachers, who, while giving the children a thoroughly sound and Christian training, are also imparting a secular training right up to the standard required by the Government. / . , ■ f ) \ v The Board desires to place on record its gratefuD appreciation of the splendid work performed by the Sisters of Mercy, Sisters of the Sacred Heart, and the Marist Brothers, during the year. To them it is a labor of love for which they have sacrificed their lives, and the high state .of efficiency attained reflects the greatest credit on them and the Catholic community as a whole. The Board also desires to thank all those who have helped the various functions organised for the Education/Fund, and also the ■■ kind benefactors who so generously made donations to the < fund. Interesting statistics are given in the report showthat if the Government had to pay the salaries of the teachers engaged in the Wellington Cathdlic primary schools, the sum of £8,827 would have to be provided annually, and if the 1400 children were educated in State primary schools, their primary education would cost the State £11,623. Statistics are also given for the Dominion. At a meeting of the ‘Board held on the following Wednesday evening, his Grace Archbishop O’Shea presiding, ; the annual report and statement of accounts were adopted.

The, report of the Finance Committee was also dealt with, and the recommendations in the majority of the items were adopted. His Grace complimented the Board on the excellent work accomplished, and paid a tribute to the work of the office-bearers. .He trusted that the forthcoming year would be as successful as the past, and urged the members to continue their efforts on behalf of Catholic primary education. »

The Dominion Executive of the Catholic Federation met on Tuesday the 27th inst., Very Rev. Father O'Connell, S.M., presiding. The various remits referred to the executive by the Dominion Council were dealt with. The proposed remits affecting the rating of private schools which were to be discussed by the conference of delegates from the Municipal, and County- Councils of the Dominion, which is to be held here on October 4, were dealt with, and it was decided to arrange a deputation representing the various Catholic societies to waii upon the conference in reference to the matter.

The quarterly meeting of the Hibernian Society was held last Monday, Bro. J.. F. Taylor presiding. Reports from delegates were received and arrangements made to carry out the forty-seventh anniversary social.

DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND

(From our own correspondent.)

September. 23.

Everyone acknowledged the Ponsonby Tennis Club's social in St. Benedict's Hall on Tuesday the 13th inst. to be the event of the season. The hall was beautifully decorated with festoons, streamers, and shaded lights. Excellent music was supplied by Miss D. Ryan, Mr. C. Paget, and Mr. W. Hicks. The euchre tourney was in -the capable hands of Mr. E. Owens. The prize winners were Miss Butler and Mrs. Roberts, Mr. M. Flynn, and Master F. Beaumont. The supper arrangements were controlled by a working. committee of ladies, consisting of Mesdames Flynn, Foley, Borkum, Tidball, and Woodley, and the Misses Magee, Bryant, O'Brien, Snedden, and Furey. The committee received congratulations from all present and hopes were expressed that another social would soon be held. "

The Auckland Diocesan Council of the Catholic Federation will hold its_ annual scholarship examination early in December of this year. The scholarships to be awarded are:

Five scholarships for boys, each of an annual value of £lO, and tenable for three years at an approved Catholic secondary school.' These scholarships are provided for by the Federation. Two scholarships for girls, each of an annual value of £lO, and tenable for three years at 4 an approved Catholic secondary convent. These scholarships are known as the St. Patrick's Day Scholarships, and are kindly donated by "the St. Patrick's Day Committee. Two correspondence scholarships for boys, each of an annual value of £l7 17s, and tenable till the course is completed or the desired examination passed. These scholarships' are kindly donated by the S.O.S. Correspondence School. They will be awarded only to boys of parents (vho could not otherwise afford to give their children a secondary -education.

Conditions.—'scholarships are open to - all Catholic boys and girls, providing:

(a) Candidates are not more than fourteen (14) years of age on the Ist day of December, nearest to the date of the examination, (b) Candidates must be attending a Catholic school if there is a Catholic school in that district, or a State school if there is no Catholic school in that district, provided a certificate is obtained from the parish priest to that effect, (c) Candidates must forward with application for 'entry a certificate of good character and k evidence of being a practical Catholic, (d) No candidate will be granted a scholarship unless he or she has passed the sixth standard examination with proficiency, (c) All decisions with respect to eligibility of candidates rest with the Diocesan Executive. ' > , Further particulars are obtainable from the secretary. Mr. J. D. McColeman, P. 6. Box 453, Auckland. 'r^\ Entries close with the ‘•secretary on 31st of October, 1921 ' >' ■ .v :..-. f