HIBERNIAN SOCIETY

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2973, 10 January 1917, Page 7

HIBERNIAN SOCIETY

- ; ... % . ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Hibernian Society (St. Patrick's Branch. No. 95) was held at St. Patrick's Hall on 'Monday evening. Bro. F. Whitaker occupied tho chair, and among those arcsent was tho chaplain (the Very ltev. Father O'Connell, S.M.). The annual report and balance-sheet, as well as the returns required by the Government under tlio Friendly Societies Act, were presented by the secretary. The report disclosed that the war had affected the membership of tlio society seriously, ,as it was from the men between tbo ages of 20 and 40 that friendly societies made recruits. The roport emphasised the necessity of enlisting as members young men between the ages of 16 and 20. Already 10 per cent, of the members were serving with tho Expeditionary Forces, and the financial liability on their account was quite as much as tbe society could afford to undertake. The amount exponded in sick benefits totalled £324 for the year, whilst funeral claims aggregating £60 were paid out. Tho district.' levy to the Funeral Fund totalled £72, and the levy to the District Supplementary Consolidated Sick Fund remitted' to the district executive camo to £50, or a total of £170 since its inauguration in 1914. Tho funds of the society were fully invested, in most cases on freehold security roturuing 6 per cent, interest. Tlio cost to tho branch of members serving with tho Expeditionary Force was £80 per annum. The branch had lost three of its members-by death, ono by sickness, and two killed in battle, whilst two members lost wives. Tho passing of the Financial Act, 1916, has given an additional benefit to friendly society members in tbe form of a maternity benefit. This benefit is only given to members of approved friendly societies, | and to become an approved friendly society the society must adopt in its rulos provision for friendly society members becoming members of the National Provident Fund should they so desire; but as the membership of a friendly society member in the National Provident Fund adds an additional liability to the society (£55 12s-. per member on attaining the • age of 60, in addition to the increased contribution placed on such members on joining the fund) the action of the Government is not appreciated, because it practically means giving with one hand and taking away with tho other. It was therefore a matter for friendly societies to take action, for the purposo of safeguarding their interests. Tho elevation of the Very Bov. Dean Holloy to tho position of Provincial of the Marist Order was the subject for a i motion of congratulation._ Dean Holley being an ardent Hibernian and hav- i ing established a progressive branch of i the Order in Wnnganui. Tho election of officers (or the ensu- i ing term resulted as follow: —President ; Rro. J. O'Brien; vice-president, Bro. J. P. M'Gowan; treasurer, Bro. Burke; guardian, Bro. Gregory; warden, Bro. Troy; auditors, Bros. H. M'Keowen i and J. P. M'Gowan; sick visitors. Bros. Condon and O'Callaghan; delegate to i dispensary and medical institute, Bro. : Burke; delegate to annual conference at Auckland, Bro. D. Flynn. :