HIBERNIAN SOCIETY

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume I, Issue 37, 26 January 1911, Page 5

HIBERNIAN SOCIETY

Tiie Hibernian Australian Catholic Benefit Society’s banquet last night to the members and their f •i'-.ii’s, in the Foresters’ Hall, Napu r. was a very pleasant funci:o;i. The presideiu of the societv. B. J. Dolan. Esq., occupied tia' chair. Those who weie fortunate enough to receive invitations turned up iri Fois-c, tdi'Hii IfitJ ladies and uent.'emen being present. The catering was in the hands of Messrs. Sheehan and Sons, Port Ahuriri. and the tables presented a very tempting appearance. Letters of apology were read from the Very Rev. Dean Smyth, Father McDonell, Father O’Connor, and Dr. Larking. The toast of the evening, ‘‘ H.A. C. Society.” was very aptly proposed by Bro. J. Downey, of Hastings.

Mr. B. J. Dolan replied to the toast. He congratulated the mem hers on the very successful condition of the society, which wa: largely due to the capable organi sation and untiring energy of tlic secretary, Bro. Cummings. The H.A.C.8.5., he said, was the only practical benefit society supported by the members of one particular church. During the past year tin amount paid out as sick pay was £:_>;!.10/IO, for medical attendance and medicine £lO2 2/3, and for funeral allowance £6O. The receipts for the same period had just about balanced expenditure ; the membership had increased 30 per cent., and the amount now standing to the credit of the sick fund is £sul 3 1. it was a good thing, the chairman observed, to have a balance at the bank. He appealed to the ladies to join the society, and pointed out that they coul I either form a branch of their own or join the existing society. He emphasised the good work done bv ladies, and desetibed them a: lamps of the church and lamps < f the nationality. Ollier toasts which were honour ed during the evening were ‘ The King and Pope,” proposed by the chairman ; ” Our Medical Officer and Dispenser,” proposed by Bro. M. Murray; “The ladies,” prv-

; posed by Bro. J.. W. Coe. respond.rd to by Bro. C. Cunningham : i‘‘Kindred Societies,” proposed bv Bro. C. S. Soley; ” Our City.” proposed by Bro. John Higgins. . responded to by Bro. W. J. M< - ’ Grath ; ‘‘The Press, proposed y Bro. P. Kciiny. responded to bx 'the ‘Hawke’s Bay Tribune’s re ■ pri seutaiive. ; I-Itv; spersed with the toasts were . sexerai pleasingly rendered vocal I items. Misses Bosengravc ‘ind Witten' and Messrs. Y'ates ar-1 ; O’Connor sang a quartette, which i was greatly appreciated, as was i also a duet by the above-named gentlemen. Others who contributed to the evening's enjoyment were Mrs. C. R. Allen. Misses Neilsen. Miss May Higgins, Miss Madge Higgins, Messrs. F. O’Shaughnessy. A. Scott, J. Flanagan, and Bros. M. Treston and T. G. Liddle. j The secretary, Bro. Cummings, i was the recipient of a token of appreciation of his good work as secretary. In making the presentation, which was a gold medal presented by Bro. John Higgins, Mr. Dolan stated that there had been a record increase in the membership during Bro. Cummings’ secretaryship. In responding, Bro. Cummings dwelt on the amicable relations that, existed between himself and the members, and said that he had never had so much as a cross word with arty of them.

The banquet, which had been greatly enjoyed b.v all present, terminated shortly before midnight with the singing of “God Save Ireland.”