HIBERNIAN SOCIETY, CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXI, Issue 41, 8 October 1903, Page 20

HIBERNIAN SOCIETY, CHRISTCHURCH

(From our own correspondent.)

October 3

In the Hibernian Hall, Barbadoes street, on last Tuesday evening, there was a large gathering of members of the St. Patrick's Branch of the Hibiernian Society to do honor to the Hon. W. Beehan, M.L.C., and district, president, on the occasion of his 'visit to Christchurch. Among tnose present were the Very Rev VicarGeneral, Very Rev. Dean Foley, Rev. Fathers Coofcey (Lyttelton), Richards (Lincoln), McDonnell, and O'Connell. Other branches were represented by Bro. Flannaghan (Tjmaru), Bro. Power (Dunedin), Rev. Father Richards (chaplain, New Headford), and Rev. Father O'Connell (Waimate). The Christcrmrch Catholic Club was represented by Rev. Father McDonnell. Apologies were received from his Lordship Bishop Grimes, who was engaged in North Canterbury, and in a letter regretting his unavoidable absence warmly commended the Society for the welcome they were extending to their district president, from the Rev. Fathers Marnane arid Gallais, Rev. Dr. Kennedy (Akaroa), P,P. Bro. P. Burke, then at Hanmer springs, owing to ill-health, and several others. Bro. F. J. Doolan (President) thanked the clergy for their presence, and referred in .sympathetic terms to the oause which prevented the attendance of Bro. P. Bltrke, who always took a great interest in the branch's welfare. On the president's right were seated the Very Rev. Vicar-Gemeral, Rev. Father Richards, P.P. Bro. T. O'Connell, P.P. Bro. Packer, and P.P. Bro. Rev. Father J. O'Connell, and on the left the guest of the occasion, D.F. Hon. W. Beehan, M.L.C., P.P. Bro. G. J. Sellars (secretary), Very Rev. Dean Foley, and Rev. Father Cooney. After the well-laid dinner was partaken of a fairly extensive toast list was gone through, commencing with that of his Holiness the Pope. In proposing the health of the King, Bro. J. R. Hay ward referred to the recent visit of his Majesty to the late Pope, the first British, monarch to do so for several centuries, a striking proof of his regard for tlhlose of the Oatholic faith. This was again exemplified by visiting Maynooth, the seat of Catholic learning in Ireland. He undoubtedly held the Irish race in love and esteem, appreciated at its proper value the people's loyalty in peace and war, and exhibited wholehearted sympathy with rich and poor alike. P.P. Bro. A. J. Malley proposed the health of his Lordship the Bishop, and said that Bishop Grimes held the respect of every citizen, Catholic and non-Catholic alike, and the goodwill of all classes. His efforts in regard to the Cathedral building ware well known and appreciated, and all trusted that his health and strength would endure, whilst the stately edifice when completed would be an enduring monument to his great zeal. The Very Rev Vicar-General replied on behalf of the Bishop who, had circumstances permitted, would have been very pleased to be present and rejoiced ,at the gathering. He was grateful to the proposer for the encomium on the Bishop's efforts to promote our interests and for the assurance of the kindly feelings existing between Catholics and non-Catholics. It was characteristic of bishops and priests everywhere to take a lively interest in their people. The H.A.C.B.S. was worthy of their sympathy. His own knowledge of the members gained in Tasmania, Sydney, Goulburn, Maitland, and New Zealand proved that they were a credit to the locality and to the various congregations. They were known to co-operate in all good works, and in Christchurch would always secure his hearty support. The Very Rev. Dean Foley said that 30 years ago in Sydney he was Identified with the branch in St. Patrick's, from which he was still proud to hear reports of success. Whatever he (the' Dean) had done for them was due simply to a sense of duty. It was the pleasure of every priest to promote the interest, spiritual and temporal, of his flock, and he personally would never fail to assist. The Rev. Father O'Connell said the work of the Society was essentially that of laymen, although the clergy were ever willing to co-operarte. He held that friendly societies' were the greatest institutions of the age, and while Catholics were united in their own ranks, he would pledge himself to always work for Hiberniaaiism, here or elsewhere. The Rev. Fathers Richards, McDonnell, and Cooney also spoke in praise of the good work being done b.y the Hibernian Society. The toast of ' Our Guest ' was proposed by the president, Bro. Doolan, a subject to which he felt sure he could not do justice. He tendered congratulations to Bro. the Hon. Mr. Beehan for the distinction conferred upon him, and warmly thanked him for a ready acceptance of their invitation to be present that evening, a

time inconvenient to him (Mr. Beehan), but most Suitable to the branch. The speaker referred to Bro. Beehan's efforts on behalf of Hiherjiijaiiism, and in conclusion offered, on behalf of the branch, their sincere congratulations in recognition of loyal services to his adopted country. Bro. Beehan, in responding, said he did not know how to thank them for their reception, whether he deserved all the kind things said of him was not for him to judge, this much, however, he would always strive to do his duty to State and people. He was before them in a d(ual capacity, that of politician and Hibernian. lie gave a concise history of the Liberal party and his connection with it, and strongly advocated settlement on the land, and urged young men to take an intelligent interest in politics, and especially in the land q/uestion, all else was but an auxiliary to the public welfare. There were immense possibilities for the dairying, fruit canning, fisheries, and other interests, but for successful exploitation co-operation and combination were essential ; with these a great future was undoubtedly to be attained. In Parliament he would do his best to ensure the country's prosperity, and would vote conscientiously on all matters. In proposing the H.A.C.8.5., Bro. Sellars gave some interesting statistics of the Society, which in Australia today was vastly different to 10 years ago, and enlarged upon the advantages recently gained by mutual acceptance of members by the American Order of Hibernians and the Australasian branches of their own Society. Bro. Beehan said it was 33 years since the Society was established in Australia, and at the present time there were m Victoria 98 branches, New Zealand 26 (which ought to be double), New South Wales 79 (with about 10 more since the last biennial conference, Brisbane arohdiocese 33, Rockhampton diocese 12, South A.ustralia 44, West Australia 13, and Tasmania 12, which, after all, was nothing in companion to the thousands and thousands of the Brotherhood in America. A strange thing was going to happen, however, for they were arranging to establish the H.A.C.B.S. in Ireland. During the evening instrumental and vocal items were rendered as follows :— Song, Bro. J. Hynes ; cornet solo, Bro McGrath ; song, Bro D. Edmonds; recitation, Bro. Shannon ; Mr. Flemming, organist at St. Mary's, provided the accompaniments. At the conclusion the ' National Anthem ' was sung by all present, and at the express desire of the district president three ringing cheers were given for his Majesty the King, and one more for the Queen.