RANGIORA.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XVIII, Issue 31, 26 November 1886, Page 19

RANGIORA.

The 17th of this month wu a real gala day for the Catholics and Irishmen of this district. For the first time in the history of the place, a branch of the Hibernian Bociety was established and the members formally initiated on the eTening of that day. The arrival of the six o'clock train from Christchurcb, brought to the town Bro. cellars, D.P., and his able and worthy lieutenant, Bro. Lonargan j the V.P. of the Christchurch branch (Bro. Cass<>n) had arrived somewhat earlier, baring enjoyed an afternoon bicycl«-ride, and was followed later by Bro. Leahy on his well -mounted steed. They were all welcomed by Bros. Conroy and Anderson, to the former of whom muoh credit is dne for the patient, self-sacrificiug, and energetic manner in which he has been endeavouring, for some time past, to infuse life and spirit into the men, and rally them nnder the Hibernian As the sun was dropping behind the western hills, and the shades of evening slowly gathering, one by one strolled the men from various parts of the district towards the old church, which is now stripped of all its sacred ornamentals and set apart for the purposes of a school, in which the good Sisters are soon expected to impart the blessings of a sound Christian education to the rising youth of Bangiora. Here everything was tastefully arranged by Bro. Conroy — tables, chairs, books, ana all the other 'necessaries for the business of the evening. A sufficient muster being made, a-id all the other preliminaries required by the constitution of t,.e Society gone through, Bro. Sellars read with grace and dignity the rather tedious and lengthy formalities of initiation, and duly enrolled twenty members of the branch, under the patronags of the great Apostle of Ireland. Then followed the election of local officers :— President, Bro. Anderson ; Vice- president, Bro. Hands ; Secretary, Bro. Duncan, jim. ; Treasurer, Bro. Quill ; Warden, Bro. McGough ; Guardian, Bro. McDevitt. It may seem strange to aome that Bro. Conroy, to whose energetio labours, I have said, is owing the establishment of the branch, and who bad already creditably filled places of trust elsewhere in other brancnas of the Society, was not elected to some of these important positions. It often happens, indeed, that merit is relegated to obscurity, and indifference and ingratitude deled out where too much praise could not be bestowed ; but your correspondent is happy in saving it was not so on this occasion. The men of Bangiora would gladly have thruat Bro. Coaroy into some worthy and honourable position, but this gentleman, if I am correctly informed, with characteristic unselfishness, politely declined, and left to others to enjoy the laurels with which his endeavours had crowned them. The ceremonies of the evening had now brought us so far into the night that i he Bey. Father Hurley thought it necessary to propose an adjournment of the meeting to the following Saturday, which was unanimously agreed to. This was all the more welcome, as the good things of a well-arranged banquet were already awaiting the members at the Bed Lion Hotel. It had now passed the usual hour of banqueting, and ao doubt the estimable lady wbo occupies the Red Lion had to exercise much culinaiy skill in keeping " the roast and boiled ' i-i good condition, but, as the old proverb has it, "II nest sauce que Vappetit " — a good stomach is the best sauce— bo it clearly proved that " all was not lost that was delayed." Tae night passe 1 off very pleasantly, many toasts were drunk and honoured, many fins old songs well given, and not tho leas, remarkable events of the proceedings were " Shamus O Brien," by Bro. Lonargan, in his usual masterly manner, and the calm, dignified, temperate, and eloquent address of Bro, Sellars. That I7tn of November will not soon be forgotten in Rangiora, and it is much to be desired that more of oar young men may Boon join and swell the Hibern.an ranks. An Honorary Membbb.