HIBERNIAN AUSTRALASIAN CATHOLIC BENEFIT SOCIETY.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume I, Issue 34, 20 December 1873, Page 8

HIBERNIAN AUSTRALASIAN CATHOLIC BENEFIT SOCIETY.

Thr half-yearly meeting of St. Joseph's Branch, No. 73, of the above Society was held in St. Joseph's Schoolroom, last Monday evening . The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confiined. The Secretary read a letter from Bro. Edward Carroll, the retiring President, in which he expressed his regret at not being able to be present, nuddesired to thank the members for the respect which they had shown to him and to his ruling duiing his term of office, and expressed his sa'isfaction with the good- will that liad hitherto existed amongst the members.

The election of officers for the ensuing six months was then proceeded with. President — Bro. Robert Carroil being the only candidate, was installed into his office, in tlie absence of the Past Picaident, by the retiring Warden, Bro. C. E. Bunny. For the offices of Vicepresident and Secretary, Bros- C. E. Bunny and Fred. J. Bunny respectively, being the only candidates, were declared duly elected. For the office of Treasurer, the only candidate, Bro. Nicholas Smith, stated that, owing to business arrangements, he found that he was compelled to leav<> Dunedin almost immediately, and therefore he was forced, much against his will, to retire froui the office. The announcement was received with great emotion, as his absence will be a great lofs to the br.ineh. Bros. Joseph Meenan and James Toal we*e nominated to the vacant office. Bro. P. Bourke wns elected Warden, and Bro. J. Moroney Guardian. Bros. J. Meenan and .Edward Downey ■were appointed Auditors. Tlie President appointed Bro. J. J. Connor his right, and Bro. J. Donnelly his left hand supporter. Tho Vicepresident appointed Bro. J. Cantwell his right and Bro. D. Tiernay hia left hand supporter.

Bro. Cantwell proposed a vote of thanks to the retiring officers, and Bro. C. E. Bunny proposed that a special vote of tlianis be given to the Past President, Bro. 12. Carroll, and that the lodge expresses its regret at his illness. Carried unanimously and with much enthusiasm.

Bro. N. Smith returned thanks on behalf of Bro. li. Carroll and the retiring officers.

The Secretary read correspondence from Melbourne, and laid on the table the report of the half-yearly meeting of the Executive Directory held nt Melbourne last September. Bro. J. J. Co-mor proposed " that the patronage of the Society bo given to the ' Children's Pic-nic on St. Stephen's Day. Seconded by Bro. E. Kirk and carried unanimously. Bro- C. E. Bunny proposed—" That it is desirable that steps should be taken'to obtain a room to meet in, and to further this that tho following Committee bo appointed r the President, Vicc-Prcsident Secretary, aud Bro. J. J. Connor." The resolution was seconded by Bro. Bourke, and after a long discussion was lost. Bro Cantwell gave notice that he would move a resolution to the same effect at the next meeting. The Secretary read the Balance Sheet, -which shews that the Society has £94 7a Id to its credit at the Bank.

Mr Wm Cunningham was proposed as a fit person to become a member of the Society. Fees received, £8 15s. We mu 8 t congratulate St Joseph's Branch, No. 7i, on the progresß it has made. We take the following extract from the Report of tlie Executive Directory :— " Every prelate of the Church in the Colonies, has giren an unquahGcd approbation of the Society, and patronage in their respective dioefses, particularly His Grace the Archbishop of Sydney, tiie Eight Key Drs Croke, Quinn, Moran, Lannigan, and Reynolds j

and moreover our own much venerated prelate, the Eight EevDr Goold, has again in the most public manner been pleased to give a renewal of his solicitude in our behalf." In Melbourne, Sir Q-aren Dufffty, C.M.G-., and other leading Catholics ha-ve joined the Society as Honorary Members. Branches are now opened at the following, places m new Zealand :— Auckland, Grahamatown, Coromandel WestCoast, Greymouth, Uokitika, Ross, Waimea, Queenstown, Charleston JSiighton, Inangahua, Beefton, Christchurch, Oainaru, Dunediu and JSaseby. Arrangements are pending to open branches at Wellington and -JKnaru, The Hibernian Australian Catholic Benefit Society can pioudly boast of upwards of 4600 members. The Society has our warmest wishes and support.