CATHOLIC CLUBS

Evening Post, Volume XCI, Issue 98, 26 April 1916, Page 2

CATHOLIC CLUBS

NEW ZEALAND FEDERATION,

ANNUAL CONFERENCE.

The fifteenth annual conference of the Federated Catholic Clubs of New Zealand was.opened at St. Patrick's Hall, Boulcott-street, on Saturday. Apologies were received for the absence of His Grace Archbishop Redwood (PresidentGeneral), His Grace Axchbishop O'Shea, and Mr. J. L. Leydon (President). Mr. G. Dee (Vice-President) occupied the chaiv throughout the morning session. An address of welcome to the visiting delegates was given by the spiritual director of the society, the Very Rev. Father J. O'Connell. The annual report and balance-sheet came up for discussion, and were adopted. These papers showed a satisfactory position considering the difficulties and hindrances created by the war, owing, amongst other causes, to enlistments and consequent withdrawals from the officers and members of clubs. The competitions, finance, Catholic Magazine, and_ Catholic Social Guild course of study were all touched upon in the report. Mr. J. L. Leydon (President of the Federation) occupied the chair at the afternoon session. Mr T. H. Forster, seconded by Mr. C. Lynch, moved : "That copies of all correspondence of any nature from one affiliated club to another shall be forwarded through the federal executive." This motion formed the topic of considerable discussion, and was carried eventually. Mr. T. 11. Forster, seconded by Mr. M. J. Dunne, moved : "That the competition for billiards in' the shield contest be 100-up instead of SO in all rounds except the final, which shall be 50-up instead of 100." This motion was carried unanimously. Mr. O'Kane (business manager of the Catholic Magazine) gave his official report on the working of that paper since its republication in August last. Eight numbers had been issued, and were satisfactorily edited and managed. He submitted to the meeting figures which explained financially the position and gave a clear outline of the policy followed with regard to publication, distribution, organisation, and advertising. Reports were received from Christchurch, St. Benedict's, Ashburton, St. Anne's, Timaru, and Wellington. These reports showed that, in spite of difficulties, in some cases almost insurmountable, the position showed definite assurance of success. The secretary (Mr. T. H. Forster) reported on a!l the branches of the working of the federation during the past year. The position was not to be underestimated. The Catholic Clubs of New Zeealand, by the very reason of the loss of their best officers through enlistments and also the diversion of the minds of the people from the matters Connected with clubs, had a most, strenuous uphill fight before them.. He urged all clubs to remodel their constitution and introduce new. blood into their executives, so that, the places of. the older members could be filled, and a training in essential knowledge, imparted to the younger and new members. Mr. Forster offered various suggestions for delegates to convoy to the executives of the clubs they represented. Mr. J. L. Leydon expressed appreciation of Mr. Forster's services as secretary; The thanks of the conference were undoubtedly due. to him. The election of officers resulted as fo] lows :—President-General,' His GraceArchbishop Redwood; president, Mr. E. B. L. Reade; vice-president, Mr. J. Fagan; lion, secretary, Mr. T. H. Forster ; lion, treasurer, Mr. M. Krebs: executive officer's, Messrs. G. Dee, J. L. Leydon,.and Rev..Bro. Egbert. It was decided to hold the next annual conference at Christchurch. Mr. Forster moved, Mr. Quinn seconded, and it was agreed, "Thai this Con' f erence of the Federated ■ Catholic Clubs of New Zealand desires to express its sincere gratification and congratulations to His Lordship Bishop Brodie on his election to his present exalted position in the Christchurch Diocese." On the motion of Mr. Forster, seconded by Mr. Reade, it was resolved, "That tht, desirability, be affirmed of mutual co-operation in extending the membership of and participating in the work of the New Zealand Catholic Federation, St. Vincent de Paul Society, Catholic Seamen's Conference, H.A.B.C. Societies, and Boys' Clubs." Votes of thanks were passed for the services of Messrs. M. O'Kane and F. Galvin, outgoing officers, and' Mr. T. H. Forster, secretary. A motion oE condolence was passed in silence, on tho motion of Mr. Forster, to the' relatives of the late Mr. E. J. Fitzgibbon, a former officer and president of the Federated Catholic Club's Executive.