HIBERNIAN SOCIETY

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2985, 24 January 1917, Page 3

HIBERNIAN SOCIETY

At the meeting uf the St. _ Pa-bFick. s Branch of the H.A.C.S. Society, at St. Patrick's Hall on MS&day evening, tho installation of tho nowly-elecu-ed officers took plaso. The ceremony was performed by tho retiring president (Bro. F. Whitakcf), who at its conclusion was presented with a- pastpresident's collar and an illunimWeu, framed past-president's certificate, to mark his occupancy of the presidential chair. Tho presentation was made by the nowly-electcd president-. . Bro. J. O'Brien, P.P., who referred IB eulogistic terms to the services rendered to | tho society by tho recipient. B ro - Whit-aker briefly replied, and thaiH ce( J tho members for their appreciation Of his efforts. He assured them that his services w-ould bo always at their disposal for tho advancement of the society. It was reported that two more members of the branch had enlisted, and wore now in camp. Tho report of the Australasian Executive Directory of the society was received, and containcs] information regarding a now scheino of clearanco values which also provided for tho members of tho Ancient Order of Hibernians of the United Kingdom. Tho membership of tho sotiety in Australasia had now reached 45,000, and there wero now over 500 branches in tho Commonwealth and the Dominion. The war, of course, had mado its toll from the members, but special provision had been made to keep the soldier members financial free of cost to suoh members; tho society was therefore sacrificing thousands of pounds in addition to incurring increased risks owing to so many of its members boing in tho danger zone. Tho remainder of the evening was spent socially, during which many of tho members contributed musical items.