H.A.C.B. Society.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXX, Issue 11, 13 March 1902, Page 20

H.A.C.B. Society.

(From our Auckland correspondent). The annual meeting of the N.Z. District Board of the H.A.C.B Society was held on Wednesday evening, February 26, and the business not having concluded the meeting 1 adjourned until Wednesday, March 5, when the proceedings were brought to a conclusion. Bro. M O'Sullivan, D.P., presided. The following officers were preBent :— Bro. J. P. Stead, D.V.P.; Bro W. Kane, D S. ; Bro M J.Sheahan, DT, The delegates representing the various brsnches who attended were as follow : — Greymnuth : Bro. Stead ; Charleston : Bro Hennelly ; Grahamstown : Bro. M. Whelan ; Dunedin : Bro. J. Smith, D.P. ; Auckland : Bros. J. W. Williams, and F. Gordon, V.P. ; Christchurch : C. Little, P.D.P. ; Onehunga : Bro. Kiely ; Napier : Bro. J. McNamara ; Wellington : Bros. M. Cnrmody and W. Beehan, P.D.P. ; Blenheim : Bro. W. Brown ; New Plymouth : Bro. A. Buckley ; Waipawa : Bro. F. O'Meara ; Hastings : Bro. Corbett : Leeston : Bro. J. Patterson, P.D.P ; New Headford : Bro. O'Kane ; Timaru : Bro. P. J. Nerheny, P.D.P. ; Maeterton : Bro. W. G. Smith ; Milton : Bro. J. Gleeson ; Oamaru : Bro. H. Duffin. P.P. ; Waimate : Bro. H. W. McCormick ; Denniston : Bro. J. O'Brien ; Westport : Bro. R. Owens. The D.S. read the officers' report which showed that the funeral claims for the half year amounted to £190, leaving a net balance of £58 18s lid. The three branches recently established were progressing favourably, while there was every prospect that within a very short time another new branch would be opened in Gisborne. Ine amount to the credit of the District Financial Fund was £4703 4s 6d, and to the Management Fund £69 19s. The D.S. moved that that portion of the law which provided for the payment of the delegates' expenses to the A.M. meetings be expunged. This question evoked a very lengthy discussion, and was ultimately carried by 20 votes to 6. During the debate the Christchurch delegate, Bro. Little, moved an amendment, which went in the direction of a scheme showing whereby the expenses of delegates could be raised. So important was the subject that the District Treasurer and Bro. Nerheny, (Timaru) pointed out that it would be wiper to withdraw the amendment and substitute it as a notice of motion, thus giving the branches time to consider it and instruct their reprenentatives how to vote at the half-yearly meeting next August. Bro. Little readily assented to this suggestion. The DS. moved that : ' This district now conforms to the new government of the Society adopted at the Sydney Convention this year.' This was agreed to. Bro. Nerheny was elected delegate to the Friendly Socit ties' Conference. The District President, in a few well-chosen words, presented P D.P. Bro. J. Smith with a beautiful gold cross on behalf of the Dunedin Branch as a token of their esteem and gratitude for his able and continued services rendered to the branch as its delegate at its district meetings. — Bro. Smith suitably responded, and heartily thanked the Dunedin Branch for their nice present and kindly recognition of his services to them. Several delegates eulogised Bro. Smith and also the Dunedin Branch for the appreciative and kindly spirit evinced by it. The adjourned meeting was held on March 5 at the same place. Bro. J. B. Stead, D.V.P., presided in the absence of the D.P., Bro, O'iSullivan. An appeal against the decision of the District Executive by a member of the Wellington Branch was discussed at considerable length, when, in view of the fresh evidence tendered by the petitioner, the District Executive was advised to re-open the case and give its decision upon the matter at as early a date as possible. The election of officers resulted as follows : — Bro. C. Little, P.D.P., having retired from the contest of president, Bro. J. B. Stead was eleoted to that office ; Bro. W. Beehan was elected D.V.P. ; Bro. W. Kane, district secretary ; Bro. M. J. Sheehan, district treasurer ; Bros. P. O'Kane and F. J. O'Meara, auditors. The new officers briefly returned thanks, and assured the delegates that they would work to justify the confidence reposed in them. The installation ceremony was performed by Bro. P. J. Nerheny, P.D.P. The names of Bros. D. O'Sullivan and D. Flynn were ordered to be placed on the merit board.