ST. JOSEPH'S HALL, DUNEDIN.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVIII, Issue 25, 21 June 1900, Page 19

ST. JOSEPH'S HALL, DUNEDIN.

PROPOSALS TO PUT IT TO THE IJKS1 1 (\SE

A KiiiMiEhENTvm X meeting of the Catholic of Ounedin was held on Wednesday evening for the purpose of considering the means of utilising St. Joseph's Hall to the best advance. Amoi)(f those present were his Lordship Bishop Verdon and the local clergy. Ilia Lordship the Bishop presided, and Mr. Pavletioh \\ as appointed secretary to the meeting. The Right Rev. Chairman placed the following proposals before the meeting .— They were invited there that evening to discus a question of considerable importance, viz , how they could turn St Joseph s Hall to the beßt account, and make it moit useful to the Catholics of Dunedin. In taking: upon himself the responsibility and risk necessarily attending the erection of the hall, the object he had in view was to gather the Catholics of the city more closely Mother and draw the young people away from dangerous associations, by affording them the means of pelf-improvement and legitimate recreation. He had never intended that St. Joseph's Hal? should be a money-making concern, neither that it should he maintained by charitable contributions, or become a bunkn to Bishop, priests or people. The hall should be worked on sound business principles' si as to become a self-supporting institution. In forming the design it was decided on having: a commodious hall suitable for public gathering;?, a good gymnasium, and a large and well-«elected library. The gymnasium had already attracted a considerable number of young men. It can be still further improved, and when further expansion may be deemed desirable th.re is ground on whi( h a large fihtd can be erected. A very respectable library will be ready for use in about a week's time. A generous friend in Dublin had given him a large collection of books. With books that he

(his Lordship) would add there would be about 600 volumes to start with. Before long he would be able to make considerable additions to it, and he would be able to supply it regularly with a number of Catholic periodicals and paper such as the London Tablet, Catholic Jnn/x, the Month, Dublin He view, Are Mann, etc. To turn these things to the best advantage his Lordship suggested the following plan :— (1) To have one large general club, to be called the St. Joseph's Club, open to ladies and gentlemen (2) A committee of gentlemen to be responsible for the general management of the hall. (3) The club to have several branch clubs or societies, each having its committee for the regulation of its special nffmrß Buoh as the Literary Society, the Young Meu's Athletic Club, the Philharmonic Society, and the Social Club. (4) Every subscriber to St. Joseph's Club becomes a member, without further subscription, of the Literary Society, and will be at liberty to assist at the meetings and take part in the proceedings. In connection with this matter his Lordship was of opinion that there should be a number of interesting lectures delivered during the year in the large hall which would be open free to all members of the club (.)) The ladies should have the use of the library erery evening of the week except perhaps one. Special lectures on domestic economy and kindred subjects should be organised for their benefit. Provision should also be made for their exclusive use of the gymnasium and hall on certain evenings,. His Lordship concluded by pointing out the great necessity of a philharmonic society, embracing a choral union and orchestra. Classes of vocal and instrumental music could be formed in connection with the society and tuition given. For the purpose of liquidating the debt on the hall the club may claim the right of organising the next fancy fair that will be held in the city. Mr. Callan said he had listened with interest to the proposals of his Lordship, and he thought they were very practical. The hall was mainly erected for the benefit of the young people who were members of the Cathedral parish, and it was from them he hoped to get an expression of opinion regarding the proposals. His Loroship was to be congratulated on having secured such an excellent start for the library, and he (the speaker) would contribute a dozen volumes to it. Mr. McCormack said the club proposed by his Lordship would supply a long felt want. Ho thought the subscription should not be too high, as that would have the effect of limiting the membership. After the Rev. Father Murphy, and Messrs. Sullivan, Hussey, and others had spoken his Lordship explained that he had brought forward the plan so that it might be discussed. It could be taken up in detail and amended ; he did not expect that the meeting would accept the proposals in their entirety without alteration. After some further discussion, in which the Rev. Father Cleary, and Messrs. Deehan, P. Hally, J. J. Dunne, and Sullivan took part, the first portion ot a resolution proposed by Father Murphy— that a com mi i tee of a mamigeuiei t be appointed— was carried. It was eventually decided that this committee should consist of in. with hid Loidship the Bishop and the clergy as cx-ofitcio iiicmlj* r-j. On the motion <-f the Rev. Father Cleary it was decided that this eommit'ee be empnveml to draw up draft rules, suggest the relations of the vain us societies to the proposed club, and report w l tli i n a w eek. The following were elected a committee of management: Mes-srs. 11.I 1 . 1 Lilly, Hussey, Callan. hullivan. Clancy, Pavletich, ILiydon, J. O'Connor, MiCormuck. and J. Hally. The proe<ehnirs concluded with a vote ot thanks to his Lordship Bishop \ erdon for presiding.