TIMARU.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XVI, Issue 43, 15 February 1889, Page 13

TIMARU.

(From our own Correspondent.")

THB half -yearly meeting of St. Mary's Branca of the Hibernian Society was held on January 24th and was numerously *i tended. The balance-sheet, which was read and adopted, showed tbe finances of the branch to be steadily progressing. The list of membership however remains at a seeming stand-still, the number of new members joined for tbe past twelve months being barely sufficient to balance those that have left the branch during that period through various causes. Tbe present membership could witnout doubt be increased to nearly double its present strength if the town and district were properly and personally canvassed and tbe benefi's toba derived from tbe society laid clearly before eligible persons. Comparing « he benefits to be derived from the Hibtrnian Society with those of other friendly societies tha comparison is ccrta'oly in favour of the former, and that makes a sill greater cause to regret the action of Catholics who join other benefit societies when one exists which hat been fanctioried and approved by the pielateo aud dignitaries of the Church. A letter was nad from the Cbristchurch Branch asking tbe co-operatioa of the Timaru Branch in sending a delegate to the annual meeting at Auckland to advocate a scheme cf direct representation instead of the proxy system at present in vogue, also to assist in getting the executive meetings teld in Wellington, as being more central tbau Auckland and to support the adoption, of a graduated scale of contributions. The meeting unanimously decided to agroeto this »eque«t and it is to be b >ped that the delegate will be succest-rul in bringing these matters to a satisfactory result. Tha election of officers for the ensuing term resulted as follows : — President, M. Crannitch ; vice-president, James Cunningham ; treasurer, Q. Matthews ; secretary, A. Wilson (rt- lected) ; warden, J. Sullivan ; guardian, J. McKenna. Alter toe usual compliments were accordou to the retiring and incoming officers the meeting terminated.

The parish school re-opened on the 18th iust. Trie children s asoual pic-nic has been unavoidably postponed and is likely to take plaoe oo Eaitar Monday. The time-honoured custom in Catholic countries of ringing (he Angalm bell is now established here. The Be/. Father Buckridge previous to his departure preached an elo<]uent sermon on th« " Angelus " and exhorted the congregation to repeat the pious prayer when they would hear the tolling of the bell. A rather aid accident occurrcl on Thursday, 7th inst., to a young man named William Meredith, son of the late Captain Meredith, of Timaru. While engaged in assisting to load a vessel at the wharf, his grappling books becims fisteaed in the bales which he w-ts handling, and which were attache Ito a craae. He unfortunately held on to the ho*ks, and, on bjing lifted up by the crane, seemed to have lost his preseucft of mind, and letting go fell into tha hold of tbe vessel. la falling hi« head came under, and wbei picked up he was quite unconscious Up to tha time of writing (10th) dj his nut regained consciousness. The prayers of the congregaciou were offerei up at boti Masses to-day on his behalf. Tbe weatner here is all that could he desired for this time of the year. Harvest operations are now properly commenced ami in full swing. The crops are very gooi throughout the district, and a large yield is expected. Great expectations are indulged in about the next few veara in this district, aid a belief in the return of pros perity strongly exists. The high prices for farm proinee now i u l i n ' ■. promise prosperity to tin* firmer, and in this agricultural ilisui." when the larmer ig thriving prosperously he earner nearly everyou* else in his train. Our best wish, then, is to wiah him success, aij I in doing so wu are directly wishing it to ourselves. A triduum of prayer is being held in tbe Church of the Sacred Heart in honour of the martyr of Futuna, tbe Blessed Peter Aune Chanel commencing on Sunday, the 10th inst., and closing on Tuedar, the 12th. A gentleman in this town is in high anticipation of making ;i mark in the coursing world during tbe coming season. He possesses a greyhound of cons-i lerable merit, but until a few days ago was quite unconscious of the speed which was latent in tbe animal. Accompanied by his dog, he happened to visit a friend, and was accorded a hearty welcome, Between tbe dog and tbe host, however, a slight disagreement arose, which resulted in the animal making a bee-line for home at a rate of speed that convinced his owner be was fit for tbe •' Waterloo."