FEDERATED CATHOLIC CLUBS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 479, 12 April 1909, Page 6

FEDERATED CATHOLIC CLUBS.

ANNUAL CONFERENCE. Tho eighth annual conference of the Federated Catholic Clubs of New Zealand opened in St. Patrick's Hall on Saturday moraine. Tho delegates were formally welcomed by the president, Mr. A. H. Casey, who expressed the hope that apart from tl'ic business proceedings of the conference their stay in Wellington would bo an enjoyable one. His Grace Archbishop Redwood extended a very cordial welcome to tho delegates, and referred to tho great work which was being dono by tho Catholic - clubs throughout the Dominion. He utged upon tho members tho desirability of being loyal to their club, and taking every advantage of its 'benefits, as by doing so they would bo true sons of tho Church and .worthy citizens of tho Dominion. v . The Very Rev. Father O'Shea, president of the Wellington Catholic Club, also extended a welcome, and expressed his'pleasure at seeing such a representative attendance. The Rev. Father Venning, spiritual director, also extended a welcome to members. Two newly-formed clubs, Timaru and St. Canico's (Wcstport), were admitted to tho federation. Delegates present were: —Fedcrhl Executive, Messrs. A. H. Casey and P. J. M'Govern; Auckland, A. Cullen, J. Slianaghan; New Plymouth, J. J. Sullivan and T. Boyce; Wanganui, J. R. Hunt; Napier F. M'Donald; Hastings, J. M'Quirk and D. Dowling; I'almerston North, W. Scanlon and J. J. Callaghan; Wellington, J M'Gowan, J. W. Callaghan; Wellington South, D. Moriarty, E. J. Leydon, and E. Footo; Peione, T. Fitzgerald, 0. O'Hare, and G. Lcydon; Blenheim, E. Higgins; Grevmouth, E. Casey and P. J. Smyth; Hokitika, J. J. L. Burke; Westport, L. J. 'Lcydon; Christchurch, P. M'Namara and F. Hickmott; Ashburton, C. Tcmuka, L. J. Reichel; Oamaru, G. J. Fama; Timaru, H. M'Keowen; Dunedin, S. J. Moran and G. Dee; Invercargill, D. Mulvcy ' and M. O'Kane. Tho animal report aikl balance-sheet (already published) were read and adopted. Alterations and additions to rules were made as follow: —Tho power of nominating to tho annual conference the officers for the ensuing year was vested in a joint committee of fivo executive officers from all federated Catholic clubs within a radius of ten miles of Wellington. The representation of clubs at tho conference was lixed at 0110 delegate for less than fifty members, and two for more than fifty. A new rule was passed providing that each affiliated club should arrange for tho celebration on tho first Sunday in September of each year of a Mass for tho repose of.tho souls of deceased, members. Provision was made for delegates from anyestablished club not admitted to tho federation, and from any town where it is proposed to establish a club, to attend tho annual conference.. Power was given to the executivo to appoint an official representative on tho cxccutivo of each club, and power was also (jiven to any accredited member of an affiliated club when visiting Wellington to attend tho meetings and take part in the discussions of tile federation executive. A notice of motion that the annual conference be held alternately at Wellington and Christchurch, and an amendment thai it "uo restricted to tho four centres; provoked a lengthy discussion, but they wore eventually defeated. Tho conferenco reserved to itself tho rieht to fix tho locale of the gatherings, and Grey mouth was selected as tho placo for tho next. A paper on "Tho True Ideals of Catholic Clubs" was read by Mr. L. T, Reichol. Tile election of officers resulted as follows: President-general, His Grace Archbishop Redwood; president, Mr. A. 11. Casey; vicepresident, Mr. 11. M'Keowcn; lion, secretary, Mr. S. J. Moran; lion, treasurer, Mr. J. 31'Gowan; committeemen, Messrs. P. J. M'Govcrn, L. T. Reicliel, D. Moriarty. Votes of thanks to tho outgoing officers, to Messrs. ,T, M'Cusker, and J. R. llunt, ami tho president (Mr. A. 11. Casey) brought tho conference to a close.