HIBERNIAN AUSTRALASIAN CATHOLIC BENEFIT SOCIETY.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume III, Issue 152, 31 March 1876, Page 12

HIBERNIAN AUSTRALASIAN CATHOLIC BENEFIT SOCIETY.

LAWRENCE BRANCH, No. 107. The regular fortnightly meeting of the above Branch was held in St. Patrick's schoolroom, on Monday evening hist. Present : The President (in the chair), all the ofheers, and a fair attendance of members. The Rev. Father Larkin (Chaplain to the Branch), and Mr. John Cantwell, Secretary of the Dunedin Branch, were also present. Correspondence was read from the Secretaries of the Naseby, Oaniaru, and Dunedin Branches. A letter was also read from Brother Lawler, the late Secretary, enclosing his account for services rendered to the Branch. It was resolved on the motion of Brother Harris, that Brother Lawler's account stand over until after the quarterly audit. Mr. Patrick M'lnerany was nominated for membership. The Secretary (Brother Woods) submitted the quarterly return and lalanee sheet to the meeting. It was explained to the members that the brlance sheet had not been audited in consequence of the incorrect manner in which the accounts had been kept. It was hoped the difficulty would be overcome by next meeting. The members expressed themselves satisfied with the explanation. The President (Brother Whelan) in a few flattering remarks introduced the secretary of the Dunedin Branch to the meeting. Mr. Cantwell, after returning thanks for the kind manner in which he hod been received, referred to the progress the Society was making throughout the Australian Colonies. He was opposed to the District Board form of Government owing to the enormous expense it en tailed on the branches. The Executive Directory, as at present constituted, was not giving satisfaction. It should be increased in numbers by equal representation ; provision ought also to be made for retaining the Funeral Fund of New Zealand Branches in the colony. He suggested the advisability of placing the objects and advantages of the Society prominently before the public by means of lectures by gentlemen who had been identified with the Society from its formation. He thought if men such as J. W. Howard, A. J. Templeton, and others could be induced to proceed on a lecturing tour it would be beneficial to themselves and profitable to the Society. Mr. Cantwell also referred to the discipline maintained in the schools, which was indeed highly creditable to the principals — Mr. and Mrs. J. J. Woods. St. Patrick's school was looked upon as the model school in this province, and he hoped it would long continue so. In the other colonies the Society was doing a great deal for Catholic education ; and it was to be hoped the Lawrence Branch would also do their best to assist the Rev. Father Larkin, who was indefatibable in his efforts to provide a first class education for the children in his parish. Mr. Cantwell concluded by again thanking the members for the kindness received during his stay amongst them. The Rev. Father Larkin brought under the notice of the Branch the conduct of its principal officer in sending his child to the Government school, and stated his intention of resigning his position as Chaplain if such conduct was tolerated. Bros. J. J. Harris, Cantwell and others, strongly commented on the conduct of the President, as it was calculated to bring the Branch into ridicule and disrepute. Several members threatened to resign if the President continued to act as he was doing. Uultimatefy, it was resolved to let the matter rest for a fortnight, and a deputation was appointed to confer with Father Larkin on the subject. The meeting then adjourned.