HIBERNIAN SOCIETY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18459, 24 July 1923, Page 9

HIBERNIAN SOCIETY.

THE JUBILEE CELEBRATION?!. v k'.v\j!';!! '•»•. " •''•••• ; v-;v-:.•. ! i ' The celebration of the' golden - jubilee of the St. Patrick's branch of the Hibernian Australasian Catholic Benefit Society was continued ■ last evening, ; whan a largely-attended dinner was held at the Tiffin. The branch president, Mr. MF. O'Brien, presided. Among 'those present were : Bishop . Cleary add BishopListon, Chancellor Holbrook, and other representatives of • the Roman Catholic Church. 7 The toast of " The Hibernian Society " was proposed by Bishop Cleary, who remarked that he was chaplain-: to one of the branches 33 years ago. St. Patrick's, branch, he said, was fourth in order of seniority in the Dominion. The society had brought to the country all. those attributes that . made for good clitizenship and Welfare of the State. •: It i spread the principles of democracy and liberty wherever it took root,. - J The toast was acknowledged by Messrs. C. Colhoun, iJ. J. O'Brien, and W. Kane, the last-named giving a resume ol 1 ' the membership and finances during the past 50 years. . The following sums had been i paid during the half-century : Death benefits, £10,750; medical fees, £5250 death claims; £2900. The amounts now to credit were: Sick and funeral fund, £5111 management .5 fund, £580 :; other funds, £242; total, £5933. ' ; Several other toasts were honoured, and incidents ; of, the early days •of the branch were related by Bros. 'C. Little and M. ' Connolly. ;' Several musical .items were also given.; The proceedings closed with the singing of " God Save Ireland," followed^ by " God Save the King."