CATHOLIC CLUB

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 59, Issue 14, 27 October 1938, Page 3

CATHOLIC CLUB

BANQUET IN ASHBURTON. MANY TOASTS HONOURED. As a conclusion to a most successful season, the Ashburton Catholic Club held a banquet on Tuesday evening, when many speakers emphasised the value of the club as a means of combining church, cultural, sporting and social activities.

The president (Mr J. McDonnell), who presided, said that the holding of the annual mooting earlier than usual had enabled a team to take part in the annual conference of Catholic clubs which was held at Easter at Invercargill. The Ashburton representatives were fifth for the South Island in the series of competitions conducted there. The club competed successfully with kindred clubs in debating competitions, and in the recent public speaking festival of the Ashburton County Debating Union. It won the prepared speech and the debate, and was placed second in the impromptu speech, winning the aggregate by six points. Three members were selected for the Ashburton Union’s teams to take part in representative debates with the Christchurch Debating Federation. The trophy presented by Air T. T. Harris for the euchre tournament was announced as being won by Messrs J. Taylor and J. Tally, and tiie silver cup, presented by Air R. G. Ross for tho' member doing most to advance the interests of the Celtic Football Club, was awarded to Mr J. Bradley.

Several speakers paid tributes to tbe work and interest of Air R. G. Ross (secretary). The first toast honoured was “The Pope and the King,” proposed by the chairman.

A high standard had been maintained in the club this year, said Mr V. O’Donoghue,, who proposed the toast of “The Club.” He expressed appreciation of tho help of the executive and senior members in operating the club, and of the assistance of the Ashburton County Debating Union and its president (Air E. J. Wood) in improving the standard of public speaking. Replying, Air AlcDonnell said lie was proucl to be president for such a successful year as the club had enjoyed, and thanked members for their loyalty. The toast of “The Church and Clergy” was proposed by Mr V. Crequer, who said that the club depended much on the assistance of those outside. He thanked the Rev. Father O’Gorman for his personal interest in the club.

Father O’Gorman said that while the Church wished to encourage young men to organise their own activities, it exercised a remote but definite control. He had personally been elated and edified at the high standard of the achievements of the club, and appreciated the privilege of taking part in the meetings.

The County Debating Union had done a splendid and necessary work in tbe district by organising clubs and arranging inter-club fixtures, said Air J. Brown, who proposed a toast in its honour. Ho congratulated the Union on its first, festival, and wished it future success.

ln reply, Mr Wood (president of the Union) said there had been a definite improvement in the standard of speaking this season. Ho congratulated the club on bringing out so many, young speakers. Other toasts wore: "The Executive,” proposed by Dir J. Bradley and responded to by Mr Crequer; "The Senior Members,” Dir D. McDonnell —Dir R. G. Ross; "The Junior Members,” Mr P. Con no! I—Dir J. Tully ; ‘.‘Kindred Clubs,” Dir Crequer—Dlessrs C. Attwood (St. Stephen’s Literary and Social Club) and W. T. Lowry (High School Debating Club); "The Press,” Mr Ross—Mr H. iSilcock.