H. A. C. B. S.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XIV, Issue 46, 11 March 1887, Page 9

H. A. C. B. S.

(Sydney Penny Nation, February 12 ) On Friday, 4th inst., the annual meeting of the delegates from the different branches in the town and coantry, forming the N.B.W. district, was held in the Bible Hall, William street. The d strict president (Mr. H. Connolly) was in the chair. The other district officers were district vice-president, J. O'Neil ; district treasurer, F. O'Rourke ; district secretary, H. E. Kelly ; and past district president, P. Stepleton. After the formal business of opening was performed the auditors, Messrs. M'Keown and Pope, submitted a very satisfactory report, after which the district secretary presented the following report:— Report by the District Executive. To the Delegates of the Sydney District Board. Gentlemen,— According to a well established custom we desire to place before you a report of the condition of, and advancement made by tbe different branches forming our district, of the increase of our own finances, of our marked success ia the establishment of new branches, anu of other general aad fundamental matters. You will perceive that we have, during the year 1886, added to our district four new branches, St. Patrick's, Kogarab ; St. Joseph's, Newtown ; St. Patrick's, Wellington ; aad St. Virgilus, Hay. The Kogarah and Newtown branches are in money and members progressing most satisfactorily. St. Patrick's, Wellington, is contending against a very formidable difficulty and receiving unjust treatment from a quarter whence it mignt be least expected. The branch was originally established under the immediate jurisdicof the E. D., but from unknown causes broke up leaving £15 and the Regalia, but unpaid for. The present members, on re-opening this branch, thought themselves justly entitled to both, which, however cannot evidently be accomplished though they offered to redeem tke old branch from its indebtedness to the B.D. St. Virgilius, Hay, baa just been opened by the priest and some influential members of the town. Our promptness and generosity towards establishing this branch has been most satisfactory to the members in that remote town, where we look forward to with the hope that s®on a vary flourishing branch will exist. In addition to these we have, after considerable mental anxiety and endless correspondence, succeeded ia having affiliated to our district, under moat favouiable conditions the Sacred Heart Braach, Goulburn, No. 164, which we believe will prove a valuable and beneficial acquisition to us, because the branch itself, though comparatively yonng, in in a sound financial condition, its members intelligently and socially respectable, and m the centre of a large and flourishing town aad district, in which we contemplate at an early date opening other brunches. Uf the city and suburban branches we are in a position to say that the advancement made is indeed astounding with the exception of St. Peter's Branch, Surry Hills, which has falleo considerably to the rear of others in funds, though Urge in its number of members. We fully recognise the state of this branch, and we have under consideration the necessity of taking such action, as early as possible, as will place it on a firmer foundation. Recently some of our country branches have entered into speculations of the most doubtful character, sucu as public sports, balls, concerts, etc., with very disastrous results to themselves indeed. The Friendly Society's Commission spoke very strongly against this practice, and agaiust sucu we are determined for the future to strongly set our countenance. By these sports one branch lost £24, while another lost £34, in each case out of the branch funds. St. Joseph's Branch, Forbes, baa found it necessary, with our consent, to raise the weekly contributions to Is 3d. This we believe- from experience to be a 6tep in the right direction, because Is per week is insufficient to meet all the demands upon the country branches, which very often borrow from the Sick Fund when there are no other available means of paying the incidental expenses, but which i < our opinion would be easily met by Is BJ. We accordingly rocomtnead this thoughtful and commendable act of St. Joseph s branch to the early consideration of the sister branches. We now, gentlemen, wish to direct your attention to the condition of our finances, winch, indeed, are most excellent. You see by the tabulated statement which accompanies our balance sheet that the credit of the tiick Fund of the branches is over £2150, while the incidental credit is £880, spread over 22 branches, with 1580 members. Tne capital ot the district branch is, including Statute ai d Building Funds, £1403 16s 6d cash, to which may be added assets over liabilities in good's account, £225, making a grand total of £4660, showing an increase of £500, and 300 members on the previous year, and in each caso nearly double that of 1884. Tlusa figures require no eloquent language to convince you of the stability ot, and tue unparalleled progress made by the D.B. and branches during the past year, a condit on, no doubt, most pleasing to you and to every other intelligent member of this grand and rapidly -flourishing Society, but more than gratify ing to us, who are charged with the responsibility ot careful supervision and economical management of so promising a society, the chief oharateristic of Which is the harmony and social brotherly feeling

that prevails at present among the branches. Reluctanly we havf to bring forward our long standing complaint against the unwaranuMe neglect towards us by the E.D. We have given this matter our m. st thoughtful and earnest consideration, and have arrived „t vie conclusion that the most feasible and best possible meaaß of effecting a change in the existing state of affairs, and at the Same time conducive to our best interests, is by sending to the annual meeting, to be held in Melbourne, a deputy who is lully conversant w ith the whole matter, and capable of fearlessly placing before th B deputies the Bcanty treatment we have received during the pas* year. With this probability in view, we have forwarded to the chief secretary notices of motions required by law. The whole Society has reason to feel most grateful to his Eminence the Cardinal for the assistance he nas accorded it, both in the splendid address he so eloquently delivered on Easter Sunday and the appointment of chaplains to the various branches ; and that his Eminence may be clearly convinced of the in practice as well as in name, and at the same time to fully carry out the resolution adopted at thfi half-yearly meeting, we nope to see all the members in their regalia on Low Sunday, qoina to confession and Iloly Communion. We have found the system of calf entrance fee is productive of ihe greatest good to the Society. we shall, therefore, continue it for another year. We hope that townships without branches will take advantage of this and communicate with the district secretary with the view of opening new branches during the present year. In conclusion, gentlemen, we beg to heartily congratulate you and ourselves upon our happy flourishing condition, one which will infuse into our minds fresh vigour and renewed energy to commence another year with the aspiration of outrivalling the past. H. Connolly, D.P. ; J. O'Neill DV P • F O'Rouke, D.T. ;B. E. Kelly, D. S. ;P. Stapleton. P.O. P. '' " ' ' Resolved ; " That the report be adopted, printed, and circulated through the branches." r, x'U hat a P iat distri ct president collar be presented to retiring Past-District President Stapleton." " That the salary of the district secretary be £30 per annum, and of the district treasurer. £6 per annum." " That the district secretary (H. E. Kelly), be appointed deputy to represent the Society of N.S.W. at the forthcoming annual meeting in Melbourne. That the Society take part in the United Celebration of St. Patrick's Day by the other societies for the benefit of evicted tenants in Ireland." For the cnrrent year Mr. John Flanaghan was duly elected to the office of district president ; Mr. Wm. Hogan to the office of district vice-president ; F. O'Rourke, district treasurer ; H. E. Kelly, district secretary. Votes of thanks to the country delegates and to retiring omcers brought the meeting to a termination.