CATHOLIC FEDERATION

Press, Volume L, Issue 15015, 9 July 1914, Page 9

CATHOLIC FEDERATION

» - DIOCESAN CONFERENCE. The annual conference of the Christchurch Diocesan Council of the Catholic Federation was opened yesterday afternoon in ihe rooms of the Catholic Club in the Wiltshire Buildings. Delegates from all parts of Canterbury as far couth a 6 Timaru and from the West Coast were present. Tho president, Mr W. Hayward, was in tho chair, and tho mooting was opened, in the* absence of his Lordship Bishop Grimes, by tho Very Rev. Dean i Hills. S.M., V.G. One of the first motions passed was to the following effect: — "That tho •■ conference deeply sympathises with his Lordship Bishop Grimes in his illness, and expresses heartfelt regret at the cause necessitating his absence from tho meeting." Lav delegates from Timaru, Ashburton, St. Andrews. Morven, Fairlio, Rakaia, Lyttelton, Lincoln, Hawarden. Waimatq, "Methven, Rangiora, as well as tho Cathedral, St. Mary's, and Christchnrch branches were present. Tho diocesan clergy were represented by the Very Rev. Dean Hills, S.M., V.G., Very Rev. Chancellor Price, administrator Very Rev. Dean Hyland {Rangiora} and the Rev. Fathers O'Donnell (Ashburton), Richards (Hawarden), Cooney (Lyttelton), and Fanning (Darfield). .„ Tho conference will resume this rooming. A SOCIAL GATHERING. In tho Art Gallery last night, a social gathering was held, at which tho dolegates wero welcoinod. Thero was a largo attendance, over which tbe VeryKev. Dean Hills presided.' Tho Very Roy. Dean Hills, in opening tho proceedings, said that it was an unfortunate circumstance which made him chairman of tbe gathering—a position ho was proud of, but ho waa sorry for the circumstances. They knew that Bishop Grimes was to have presided, and tho other day his Lordship told him that ho was looking forward to meeting tbo delegates. However, "man proposes and God disposes," and on Saturday night his Lordship got a severe attack of illness, and was afc present in tlio Lewisham Hospital. There was some improvement in his condition, and he hoped that that improvement, "would continue. Ho welcomed the delegates, aud said that many had come long distances to attend the conference. It was j their intention to expound, as clearly as they could, the objects of the Catholic Federation. Many of these objects wero misunderstood, but after they had heard the different speakers, he hoped that they, would havo a clearer view of the Federation than they had previously. Dean Hills added that about an hour previously his Lordship the Bishop .had sent him a message expressing his regret at being unablo to be' present, at the same timo sending his /warmest, blessing to the meeting and all those at it. (Applause.) . Somo notes on tho Biblo-ln Schools ouestion by Bishop Grimes were road by Dean Hills, and Mr li. A. Loughnan and Mr W. Angland (Timaru) spoke on tho subject. (A report appears in another part of this issue.) During the evenins songs were given by Miss Grant, Miss Gardner, Mr Hennell, and Mr J. R. Havward a recitation was given by Mr F. McDonald, a violin solo by Mr Mercer, a pin"o duet by two pupils of St. Mary's Convent, and a chorus by a number of the Convent pupils. Miss Hayward played the accompaniments for the vocalists.