CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXX, Issue 29, 17 July 1902, Page 15

CHRISTCHURCH.

In connection with the St. Patrick's Branch of the H.A.C.B. Society (writes our Chriftchurch correspondent), a very pleasant gathering of members, friend?, and visitors was held on Wednesday evening last in the Hibernian Hall. Barbadoes Btreet. The President (Bro. R. Evans) presided, and, assisted by Bro. J. Neleon, P.P., installed the following officers for the ensuing term ■ — President, Bro. D. Edmonds ; vice-president, Bro. Packer ; secretary, Bro, G. J. Sellare (re-elected); treasurer, Bro. J. Hynes ; warden, Bro. Keating ; guardian, Bro, Packer ; sick visitors — Bros. J. McCormick and F. (J'Connell. Among the visitors present vrere the following officers of St. Patrick's Branch. New Headford : — Bros. P. Ryan (president), E. Ounneen (vice-president), S. Eyan (secretary), J. Doherty (guardian), E. Mearnell and Jas. Ryan (sick visitors). The President-elect iD his address said that whatever else he lacked, perseverance in carrying out the duties of the office he had been honored with and the advancement of the interests of the branch ehould not be his failing. He would alwayß foßter the objects of the Society. He thanked the members for his election, dwelt on the great advantages resulting from membership of the Society, and said that every Catholic young man should join it. The Vice-president, in returning thanks, expressed hin intention of interviewing careless memberp, securing new ones, and exerting himself generally in effecting a successful and useful term of office.

The Secretary, in accepting office for the twelfth term in succession, sincerely thanked the Society for the sustained confidence in him. Bro. Bellars quoted figures which went to phow that during the six years he had held offirce the bi anch had paid away in sick benefits £562 4s ; in funeral expenses, £190 ; management fund, £1031 4b lOd ; and in benevolence, £89 10s— which was, he contended, a worthy record, and totalled in hard cash an expenditure, with other itemß, of over £1800.

In proposing a vote of thanks to the outgoing officers, Bro. J. McCormick, P.P., spoke in eulogistic terms of Bro. R. Evans, P.P., who, he said, had discharged the duties of president faithfully and well. With particular emphasis Bro. McCormiok referred to tha numerous acts of kindness and charity performed by Bro. Evans, not alone in connection with the society, but in his private capacity. The Very Rev. Dean Foley, chaplain of the branch, said that by a fortuitous circumstance he happened to be in the city at the time and was enabled to be present at such an important gathering ; indeed, he would have much regretted being absent. He apologised for the unavoidable absence of his Lordship the Bishop, who requested him to convey his congratulations and blessing on their work, and coupled with this, said the Dean, I extend my own earnest and moet sincere congratulations. It was a great pleasure to him to be present at even their ordinary meetings, but infinitely more so at an installation. Continuing, the Dean related interesting facts about the origin of the society whioh had long ceased to be exclusive, and in proof of its now cosmopolitan features, members of every nationality professing Catholicism were numbered in ita ranks in a bond of brotherhood. He concluded by testifying his personal apprecia* tion and esteem of the past and present officers, and expressed a wish to be able to found a branch in Akaroa during his stay there. Bro. P. Ryan (president of the New Headford branch) returned the sincere thanks of himself and companions for the cordial welcome accorded them, and took the opportunity of paying an eloquent tribute to the N.Z. Tablet for its unwearying advocacy of the claims of the Hibernian Society, and the great eervioe rendered by the journal in the cause of religion and nationality. Bro. Ryan's remarks were received with evident approbation. After Bro. Nelson, P.P., in appropriate terms, addressed the incoming officers, the President closed the meeting. Refreshments were then handed round by the officers, after which the meeting took the form of a conversazione, a very pleasant time being spent. The officers of the Catholic Club were present by invitation, and expressed appreciation of the kindness extended and pleasure afforded.