H. A. C. B. SOCIETY.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XIII, Issue 22, 25 September 1885, Page 16

H. A. C. B. SOCIETY.

The half-yearly meeting of the Otago- Canterbury District Board was held at the Catholic schoolroom. Christchurcb, on Thursday and k Friday, August 13th and 14th, and adjourned until September 11th, 1885. The District Executive present— Bro. G. J. Sellers, D.P. (Chairman) ; Bro. A. H. Blake, D.V.P.; Bro. P. Donnelly, D.T.; Bro. P. Leahy, D.S. ; Bro J.Joyce D.P.P. Branches represented— Christchurch, Bros. Delegates R. P. Lonargan nnd P. Burke ; Dunedin, Bro. P. Pope ; I'imaru, Bro. M. J. Meagher ; Wanganui, Bro. James Nelson ; Leeston, Bro. James Murphy ; New Headford, Bro. J. Doherty ; Invercargill, Bro. J. McNamara ; Lawrence, Bro. J. J. Reidy.

Special business — The resignation of Mr. Trustee Conroy was accepted, and Bro. J. McNamara elected instead.

Ordinary business — The minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed. Tbe balance-sheet, Auditors' report, and Executive Officers' report were read, and after some discussion adopted. It was as follows : —

" Brother Delegates, — We have much pleasure in placing before you the present condition of the District ; the work done since the last half-yearly meeting ; and the future prospects of tho Society.

" There is now on the Roll a total of 314 financial members, 71 unfinancial, and 20 new membeis. Our funeral Fund is £387 Is 7d ; and the relations between the District Board and Branches is of the most cordial and encouraging nature.

" During the, term, tbe resolutions of the District Board February meeting have been carried out successfully, as far as possible. One of the first of these was the amalgamation of tbe two Christchurco Branches, which was, without any unnecessary delay, accomplished, to the satisfaction of all parties concerned. Negotiations were opened between the District Board and the E.D. Branches of Auckland, Wellington, Blenheim, and Hokitika, with the object of joining the District, and ultimately getting all the Branches in the Colony to form a New Zealand District Board, and we are happy to be able to state that success has already rewarded our efforts, inasmuch as Hokitika has already joined the District, while the other Branches, although not yet acquiesc ng, nevertheless do not debar the possibility of yet seeinsj all the Branches iv New Zealand under one District Board, and with tbis object in view the District Executive recommend the substitution of " New Zealand " for " Otago-Canter-bury " in the title of the District.

" The Wanganui Branch, which had actually passed a resolution to become an E.D. Branch, has since, yon will be pleased to learn, rescinded that resolution, and is now as firmly attacbed to the D. H. as any Branch iv New Zealand ; and, as an evidence of its good faith, has very kindly consented to take over the members of the Patea Branch, which unfortunately was unable to survive the dispute referred to in the previous report.

" Correspondence has also passed between the Parish Priests of Rang'ora, Milton, Ashburton, and the D. 8., bearing on the question of opening new Branches in these centres of population, and although in each case the District Board has the sympathy and support of tbe clergy, still as yet nothing practical has resulted ; but tbere is no intention on tbe part of the District Executive to let matters rest, but they are prepared to persevere until, with the assistance and cooperation of tbe clergy and the energetic Catholic laymen, the establishment of Branches in these towns will be an acco uplisbed fact.

'• Ihe Amendments of tbe Dibtnct Board Rules has also been attended to. copies of which are laid on tbe table, and are now in the bands of tbe Registrar, Wellington, for re^i-itr itinn.

The Incidental Fund is weak, owing £35 5s lid. The Executive, recognising this, proposes to refund a considerable portion of their salary for the term, beginning witb the D.B. £5, D. T. £1 6s 3d, D. P. £1 Is., D. VP. £1 Is. It is boped that the Branches will consent to assist the Executive Officers towards wiping off the debt.

'• You will also learn with regret that the past half-year was a heavy one on the Funeral Fand — chree members and two members* wives having died. " It may be added that the quarterage to Melbourne has not yet been paid, owing to the state of the Incidental Fund, but it is proposed to do so without any unnecessary delay, and therefore seek tbe counsel of Delegates for the most advisable way of removing the only seriously defective part of our executive machinery. " During the half-year no less than 26 new members have joined the Society under the District, independent of the Hokitika Branch, while the number left through all causes is only 14.

"From the facts herein sta'ed, that is the unity of the Branches and the District, the rapidly increasing number of members, and the opening of new Branches, it may be reasonably anticipated that a sounder prospect is now before the District Board, and in fact the New Zealand Branca of the H.A.C.8.5., than has hitherto been the case ; and further, owing to the excellence of our organisation, as an Insurance Society, t iget her with its being exclusively Catholic, the District Executive now appeals to all Catholics who have, until now, held aloof from tbe Society, and request them to join and support it. It also appeals to young men to join for the benefits and association of tbe Society ; and finally it appeals to the clergy to use their influence towards its success. In many towns it is tbe only Catholic institution, certainly the only one that secures medical aid >o members and their families, £1 per week to members during illnew,

and £20 at death of member, and on the death of a member's wife £10, for the small sum of Is per week, and entrance fee of £1 and upwards, according to age.

Trusting that it will in future receive that support to which it is entitled, " We are, yours fraternally,

"Geo. J. Sellabs, D.P. "A. H. Blake D.V.P. " P. Donnelly, D.T. " P. Leahy, D.S."

The total number of members on the books is 385, of which twenty-six joined during the half-year ; and the Hokitika branch has also joined the Dietiict Board. During the meeting it was proposed to hold a Conference of representatives from all the branches in New Zealand during the Exhibition, Wellington. The idea emanated from Bro. R. P. Lonargan, who is an ex-member of the Melbourne E.D., who will be in Wellington for the Conference, and who waa appointed to represent the D.B. at the forthcoming A.M., Melbourne. It is confidently believed that much good will result from such "a meeting. It was also proposed to hold an Art Union by a joint Committee of the D.B. and Christchurch Branch for the dual object of erecting a Hibernian Hall in Christchurch, and of assisting the Incidental Fund of the D.B.

A motion was passed, requesting the Branches to defray the expense of an advertisement in each of the Catholic papers in the Colony, not to cost more than £10.

A letter was real from the Begistrar of Friendly Societies, Wellington, accompanied with the certificate of registration of amendment and alterations of the New Zealand H. C. 8. S. rules, cancelling the general laws of the New Zealand Executive Directory, and providing for the substitution of the Otago-Canterbury District Board, subject to and controlled by the general laws of the H. A. C. B. S. The following were nominated for offices for election in February next :— D.P., Bros. G. J. Sellars and A. H. Blake ; D.V.P., Bro. J. Burke ; D.T., Bro. P. Donnelly ; D.S., Bro. P. Leahy.