TIMARU.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXI, Issue 4, 22 January 1903, Page 5

TIMARU.

(From our own correspondent.) The half-yearly meeting of the local branch of the Hibernian Society was held on Thursday last, the president (Mr J. Leary) in the chair. The following members were elected to the different offices for the ensuing term : President, Bro. J. Leary (re-elected) ; vice-president, Bro. Thomas Donovan ; treasurer, Bro. J. Sullivan (re-elected) ; secretary, Bro. J. P. Fitzgerald (re-elected) ; warden, Bro. M. Donovan ; sick visitors, Bros. P. O'Sullivan and T. O'Connor ; guardian, Bro. Robert O'Connor ; auditors, Broß. T. Lynch and N. Knight. The newly-elected officers were formally installed by P.P. Bro. P. O'Shea. Votes of thanks were passed to the retiring officers, and the chairman complimented them on the good work done during the past term. The half-yearly report of the District Board was discussed, and the district officers' report on the increase of funds was deemed highly satisfactory. The business Bheet for the annual meeting of the District Board was considered, and the secretary was instructed by resolution to advise the delegate for Timaru to strongly support the three notices of motion as given in the order paper, which were considered seriatim. The promptness and courtesy of the district secretary in his dealings with the branch were also acknowledged in flattering terms. St. Patrick's Day is approaching, but aa yet no move has been made in the way of holding a fitting celebration. At the last meeting of the directors of the Caledonian Society mention was made of holding a sports gathering on that day. It will not te very flattering to the Irishmen of South Canterbury if a Scottith Society steps in to celebrate their national festival, especially when their own Association fell through for want of enthusiastic Rupporr. As the Retail Traders Association have decided to keep St. Patrick's Day a holiday, one of the biggest drawbacks to the sucoe=B of a sports meeting has thus been removed, co that this year an energetic committee should be able to carry out a successful meeting. The local clergy have been absent since last Wednesday at the annual retreat in Christchurch. The Rev. Father Kelly celebrated Mass at nine o'clock on Sunday, the church being totally inadequate to accommodate the congregation. Many were unable to obtain admission, and had to stand outside while Mass was being celebrated. Fathers Tubman and Taylor are expected back during the week. The late rains have not on the whole done much damage to the crops. Some patches have been laid flat and a few farmers have suffered, but on the whole the crops, though late through continuous showery weather, look better than they have done for years past, and there is every prospect of a successful harvest and a record yield. In the recent thunderstorm, in addition to the accident to the young girl mentioned i i your last week's i?sue, another peculiar one happened here. A clerk in one of the mercantile companies went to the telephone and when the flash of lightning came he had unswitched the telephone and on placing it to his ear was struck senseless and had to be carried to the hoepiual. On the way he recovered consciousness, and is now almost recovered from the chock.