HIBERNIAN AUSTRALASIAN CATHOLIC BENEFIT SOCIETY.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume I, Issue 21, 20 September 1873, Page 10

HIBERNIAN AUSTRALASIAN CATHOLIC BENEFIT SOCIETY.

OPBHIN& OP THE CHBISTOHTOCH BBANCH Wb give the following report of the opening of theb'ranch of this f n r b Ved^r« c » o a fip° t :9:i. greater portion of wwoh - - The ceremony of opening a branch of the above in Ohristolmreh Mr/r Bter i ay "2 ? fc Pat ? Ck 8 ? aU « Barb «*oes street,' at 3 S ? ?*l ' ° dele § at ° from the Dunedin Lod^ attended to conduct the ceremony, and a goodly number of intending members were also .present. The branch having been duly openid, 40 new members were initiated out of 58 names submitted to the secre tarY the remaining 18 coming forward for initiation next lodge ni<»ht. ThY Sd g S ") l t "• thß B i ad ° ac ° f the S ° ciety °P ened ' WM ™™tituted f and the following officers were then appointed, on a ballot to the Chnstchurchjbranch of the H.A.C.8.5., viz. Mr Jam* Taafe j vice-president, Mr Constantino Walsh ; treasurer Mr D McGuraness } secretary, Mr E. O'Connor j warden, Mr Martia Dono^ hue ; guardian, Mr Patrick Pope. At the conclusion of the business a hearty vote of thanks was ? aßß^ T^^ Boberfc Oarroll > <*c Dunedia delegate, on the motion of Mr E. O'ConKob, seconded by Mr D. MoG-uinness Mr Cabeoll in returning thanks, stated that he had received the utmost kindness since his arrival, in Christchurch. He was quite I satisfied that the members could not have made a better selection of | officers, especially in placing Mr Taafe in the position of president a position -which he (Mr Carroll) felt sure Mr Taafe would^fiU with i ability, he having had a good experience as a member of another benefat society, and besides waa well deserving of the presidentship Id the evening the members of the society and their friends, to the number of about one hundred, met in the St. Patrick's Hall to celebrate the formation of the "society iv the orthodox way common to all Britons and Irishmen, viz., a dinner. The hall was nicely decorated with flags, &c, kindly lent by Messrs Jones and Tippetts of the railway department, and the tables also were prettily furnished with pot plants, Ac. The Catering for the dinner was in the hands of Mr Ringwood, of the Provincial Larder and the wines were supplied by Mr D. M' Guinness, of Mill's Hotel' and both gentlemen acquitted themselves admirably. The chair was" occupied by the Rev Father Ecuyer, P.P., supported on his right 1 by Mr Taafe, President of the Christchurch Branch of the H.A.C B S and Dr Campbtll, medical officer, and on the left by the Rev. Father Chervier, P.P., and Mr Robt. Carroll (delegate from Dunedin.) The vice-chairs were occupied by the Rev. Father Le Forrestiere, C C, and Mr M. Duncan. Grace was said and thanks returned by the Rev Father Ecuyer. On the removal of the cloth, Mr Taaee rose to propose the first toast, " Our Holy Father Poae Pius IX." y The toast was drunk with the utmost enthusiasm. The Rev. Father Ecinrßß responded. In the course of his remarks he mentioned that the present Sovereign Pontiff Pius IX. was the" only occupant of the chair of St. Peter who had occupied the position for over twenty-five years, Pius IX. having been Pope for twentyseven years. J Mr Taase then rose to give " the health of Her Most G-racious Majesty Queen Victoria." [Cheers.] As loyal subjects it was their duty and pleasure alike to honor the Queen and -Royal Family [Cheers.] *' The toast was drunk with the greatest enthusiasm. Mr Taafe then proposed the health of •' His Honor the Superintendent and the Executive Council," which was drunk amid cheers Song— " The Exile of Erin," Mr Pope. ■ . '. Mr Cabeoll then proposed the health of "Kindred Benefit Societies," viz., the Foresters, Oddfellows, and Hibernian Societies. The toast was also duly responded to. Mr Taafe responded on behalf of the Kindred Societies iv a pithy speech. Song—" The Harp that Once," Mr O'Connor. Dr. Campbell then gave the toast- of " Prosperity to the Hibernian Australasian CaOiolic Benefit Society. He remarked it spoke volumes for the Catholics of these colonies that thej were able , to establish so many branches (82 ) He wished the;n a hearty success, and that God's blessing would be with them. The toast was received with cheers, Mr F. Weber playing "St Patrick's Day." • ' ' Mr O'Connor responded on behalf of the ChristchiirLili branch. He stated that he had received a telegram from. Mr F. «T. .Bunny, secretary of the Dunedin branch, asking to be kindly remembered to the brethren assembled. Ha (Mr O'Connor) considered that the members were under obligation to Mr Bunny, for the large amount of information he had given them necessary for the opeaiog of the branch. Mr Cabeoll, iiv replying on behalf x>£ Mr Bunny, said that this was the fourth branch of the society opened in New Zealand dmiag the last six mouths. Wheu ho (Mr Carroll) arrived in Duuedinfrom Melbourne some seven mouths ago, he found a fe.v gentlemen- cn-deavoi-ing to open a branch. They had since succeeded in so doing, and the branch was progressing favorably. ■ Mr Bunny deserved a great deal of credit for baring worked so hard to open the Dunedin branch, and also for giving instructions for the opening of .other branches throughout the colony. There was oue thmg he could not help referring to, that was the great prosperity that had attended the society since it had been founded. Little did ihose few gentlemen by whom it was first established think that in so short a space of urns so many branches with so large a membership would have beeu formed, and great must bo their gratification at its success. He considered that every branch owed these gentlemen a debt of gratitude, and the only way in which they could repay them was by boing obej'dient to, and carrying put strictly, those rules laid down for tlieir use and benefit. By so doing, and working in harmony a3 brothers, every branch would live and flourish. He would now conclude by wishing

prosperity to the Christchurch branch, believing it would be one of the largest in New Zealand. Song—" Garibaldi Oh," Mr D. M'Guinness. Mr M. DoNOHtTB rose to propose the next toast, "Our Native Land. The toast was drunk with enthusiasm, Mr Weber playing the "Sprig of Shillelagh." - Mr CoysTANTiNE Waish responded to the toast in a neat speech. Song — Mr Hogan, " Erin, my Country." The Rev. Father Chebvihb rose to propose the next toast, " The health of Dr Campbell, the surgeon of the Branch." The toast was drunk with musical honors. Song—" Cottage by the Sea," Mr Carroll (encored), also " Mavourneen." - ■" ! Dr Campbell responded to the toast of his haalth. Mr Taafe then proposed " The health of the Delegate from Dunedin, Mr Carroll, Vice-Presidont of the Dunedin Branoh." The toaet was drunk with the utmost enthusiasm and musical honors. Song — " Gentle Annie," Mr Howard. - Mr Cabboll briefly responded to the toast. Song — " Come Back to Erin," Mr Pope, jun. , . Mr D. McGuiSNisa then gave " The Health of the Rev. Father Ecuyer." The Rev Chaibmas briefly responded to the toast, wishing every success to the newly established society. During the evening several good songs were sung and recitations given, and the company separated after a very pleasant evening.