Hibernian Australasian Catholic Benefit Society. ANNUAL CONFERENCE.

Evening Post, Volume XLVII, Issue 49, 27 February 1894, Page 2

Hibernian Australasian Catholic Benefit Society. ANNUAL CONFERENCE.

The first annual movable Conference of the New Zealand District Board, No. 3, of tbo above Society was opened this morning in St. Patrick's Hall, Bouloott-streot, at 11 o'clock, Mr. W. Bechan, J.P., oconpying tho chair. On the roll being'callcd, Brother the tier. Father Goggan said that several delegates, including tbose from tho West < oast (South Island), had not arrived owing to the bod weather. An apology was received for tho absence of tho delegate from Oamaru. The proceedings wero opened with prayor by the Rev. Father Goggan. Mr. M. J. Sheehau, J.P. (Onuhunga) moved the following resolution, whioh was seconded by Mr. M. Boh an (Wellington) :— " That the delegates take this opportunity of passing a unanimous and heartfelt vote < f condolence to tho Right Roy. Dr. Moran in his present severe and critical illness, and pray that God may spare him, but if it should please the Almighty to take him unto his fathers, that he may be kept in happiness and in peace." The President mentioned that the Society waß glad to welcome the represents ivoß of the press, and visitors to the Conferencp, whether members of Friendly Sooieties or not. The Oddfellows, Manchester Unity, Bent a telegram conveying fraternal greetings to the Conference On the motion of Mr. Bohan (Wellington), seconded by Mr. Cn.lln.Bhan (Wellington), » vote of wolcomo was offered to tho visiting delegates. Tho Preßidont expressed his thanks on behalf of himself and the otherd visiting to the Wellington delegates for the cordial welcome which had boen extended to tbe visiting delegates, and congratulated the Society upon its present satisfactory condition. Ihe Conference wonld prove of the utmost importance, not only to their Society, but also to the various friendly societies throughout the colony. The propositions to be brought forward were of the utmost importance. Their financial position was highly satisfactory. The credit balance was a splendid record, showing as it did .£3063 5b to the good, and this notwithstanding that the funeral expenses during tho year amounted to £170. Several of the brancbos,hod not sent in their quarterly retnrns, and he wonld move that the Rangiont branch be fined JBIO for neglecting to furnish their returns, and that the Greymouth, WaiEawa, Hastings; Oamaru, and Masterton c fined £5 each for tbe same dereliction. These fines would be remitted providing that the branches complied with the laws of tbe Society. The funeral fund he regarded as moßt flourishing, tho oredit balanoe being £127 Is 9d, whilst tbe credit balanoe of the incidental fund was .£47. The President at some length referred to the bnsiness which was on tho order paper, and expressed the hope that the various resolution^-:. v->v -> proposed wonld receive their gravest oonb^ration. He expressed the hope that ere long the scope of the Society would be altered with » view to allow pc: sons who were not bttiuon Catholics to join in the benefit* of the Society. (Vioe-Preeident — Never !) Well, he might be in the minority bnt this he would say fearlessly, that it was their duty — their imperative duty— to look after their wives and children, and how could they do that, how could they provide for their families' and also for their own burial expenses nnless their funds were sufficient for those purposes? At present their roll of membership wan only sufficient to carry on for 20 or 30 years to come, unless their basis was enlarged so as to include non-Catholics. The question was a serious one, but he did not think he wonld be doing right unless he put the matter fairly before them. Should the Conference decide to alter the constitution of tbe Society, the latter would not lose its individuality, as they would still be Hibernians, but their scope and their usefulness would be enlarged. The President went on to refer to the malingering on the part of some of the members of several of the branches, and expressed the hope that this cause of reproach would soon be removed. Before concluding his speech, the President again referred to his remarks relative to his proposition to alter the constitution of the Society, bo as to admit non-Catholic members, and instanced the success wbioh had been achieved by the Rojal Irish Foresters, established in Australia not long ago. That Order was not purely & Catholic Society, bnt was open to all Irishmen and their descendants. The Very Her. Dr. Watters, rector of St. Patrick's College, wrote on behalf of the faculty and students of the College, inviting the delegates to visit the College on Thursday evening next. The invitation was cordially accepted. A telegram was received from the Chri»tohnrob branch wishing success to the deliberations of the Conference. Tho District Officer's report was read and adopted after a short discussion. The salient poinU in the report were alluded to in the President's speech, and therefore it is unnecessary to enter upon the details. The Conference adjourned for lunch at 1 o'clock.

Mr. Daniel Galloway, of Pahautanui, haa purchased through Dwan Broa. Mr. W. M'Kinstrey'B interest in the Railway Hotel, Johnsonville, and is now in possession.