Ashburton

New Zealand Tablet, Volume LII, Issue 2, 14 January 1925, Page 30

Ashburton

(From our own Correspondent.) January 8. The 21st annual meeting of the St. Patrick's branch (No. 426) of the H.A.C.B. Society was held on Monday evening last, the retiring president (Pro. B. L. Brophyj presiding over a large attendance. Correspondence was received from the N.Z. District and discussed. The sick visitors’ report showed two members to be on the sick fund. .Two nominations were received for membership. The election of office-bearers for the ensuing year resulted as follows; —President, Bro. H. Lennon; vice-president, Bro. Neil Hansen; treasurer, Bro. Very Rev. Dean' O’Donneiy-f secretary, Bro. F. Lennon; warden, Bro. J. Williams; guardian, Bro. T. 0. Mclntyj^;

sick visitors, Bros. P. Brosnahan and F. Lennon; auditors, Bros. T. Purcell and das. Brown.; delegates to United -Friendly Societies’ Association, Bros. Wm, Bryant and P. Lennon. During the past few years many popular Catholic families have taken their departure from Ashburton, but all will agree that the impending departure of Mr. and Mrs. E. A. O’Malley and family will be received with general regret.' Mr. O’Malley has been manager for Pyne, Gould, Guinness, Ltd., in Ashburton for the past 54 years, having been promoted from Geraldine, where he had been stationed for 18 years. He has now been promoted to take charge of the Waimate branch of the company. During their period of residence in Ashburton, members of the family have identified themselves with any deserving Catholic cause. Being musically inclined, their names have always been to the lore on programmes at Catholic con-

certs and social functions, and their departuro is one long regret. Mrs. O’Malley has been a tower of strength in connection with Catholic gatherings, and her absence in this respect will be keenly felt. The choir will lose two of its best members; Miss Madge O’Malley also filling the position of organist on several occasions. Local farewells will be tendered in the near future. Members of the staff of Pyne, Gould, Guinness, Ltd., recently met and presented Mr. O’Malley with a well filled purse of notes as a token of their respect. The Associated Auctioneers preseated him with a gold-mounted fountain pen, and from the Ashburton Volunteer Fire Brigade he received a travelling bag and rug. AVniinnte is indeed fortunate in having as residents the O’Malley family, but it is nnnecessary for me to state that the. Catholic community of Ashburton are loath to part with such a popular family,