Christchurch Catholic Club

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXV, Issue 42, 17 October 1907, Page 31

Christchurch Catholic Club

The following is tlie report presented a,t the annual meeting of the Christchurch Catholic Club, and which,-, was crowded out of our last issue :—: — The committee in presenting their annual report and balance sheet for the year ended August 31, 1907', • de-^ sire to heartily congratulate the club on the' success' that it has attained during the past year, which has been, without doubt, the most successful since its inception. The financial position of the club is now upon a thoroughly sound basis, and your committee are - convinced that with the marked increase of membership, 'and great interest displayed it is now on a fair way to make its influence felt in Christchurch. The net assets of the club have now reached the sum of £156,

which is 'highly satisfactory. TKe profit and loss account for the year, after , deducting £2 10s for overdue subscriptions, and writing off £10 15s for depreciation, has a credit balance of £"17. This result has been achieved by the united efforts of the officers and committee in organising various concerts, socials, etc. Your committee have also gone to considerable expense in >provijding necessary furnishings in the room, which havematerially aSded to the general appearance and en-_ hanced its comfort. Under these circumstances the credit balance must be considered very satisfactory. • The financial membership, which now stands at 110, has more than doubled itself during the past 1 year. This increase is due in a large degree to a campaign organised by tHe committee, and to a certain extent to the introduction of junior members. Your committee desire to place on record its appreciation of the socials given by our president, Mr. Hoban. A number of entertainments were held during the year, and proved highly successful both from a social and financial standpoint. The thank's of the club are due to the numerous ladies who have fvon-, time to time rendered- valuable assistance. A (halliard tournament held during the year for the president's trophy was well contested, and was won by Mr. JVloran. A tennis (tournament was also held, and Mr. P. McNamara proved the successful contestant. A cricket match was played and resulted in favor of the club. A boxing class Has been formed and is being enthusiastically entered into by many of the members. Two lectures were given during the year, one by the Hon. L. F. Heydon, M.L.C., President of the St. Vincent de Paul Societies of Australasia, and the other by Dr. Devenport, both of which .proved Highly instructive and interesting. In addition to these his Lordship Bishop Grimes delivered a lecture under the auspices 6f the club in the Caledonian Hall, the proceeds of which were handed over to charity. Several debates have been held during the course of the year. The attendances were large <a>ncl highly encouraging >to the speakers, who handled their subjects in a skilful and interesting manner. Two debates worthy of special mention, and of which the club" may feel justly proud, were taken part in. The first was Held on the occasion of the camp of the Federated Catholic Clubs, when your representatives defeated" the Wellington Club ;• the second bfeing against a team^from the H.A.C.B. Society, the club again proving victorious. The camp of the Federated Catholic Clubs was held in this city at Christmas time, a large number of delegates being present from various parts of the Dominion. Advantage was taken of this opportunity to present diplomas of merit to Messrs. G. Dobbs, J. R. Hayward, and M. O'Rielly. The annual Conference of Ehe Federated Catholic Clubs took place during Easter Week, and was largely attended. Your committee made arrangements for the entertainment of the visitors, and also for a Comrr .union breakfast, presides over by Sir George Clifford, patron of our cTub. Great praise is due to members for their untiring efforts to make fHe Spanish Columbian Festival the success it was. The side shows, which were under the sole control of the club,' realised a net sum of £50. 'TTie committee have added to the attractions of the club by the purchase of a Handsome bookcase, and the thanks of the club are due to his Lordship Bishop Grimes for his generous donation of "books. Your committee desire to express their appreciation of the services of our late president,. Mr. C. Lafferty, Mr. T. F O'Shea, and Mr. D. H. Bourke, who left for other parts. We wish to tender our sincere thanks to our spiritual director, tTie Rev. Father Peoples, for the interest he has displayed in the welfare of the club. Our thanks are also Hue to his Uordship the Bishop and the +v. erg^ * " tlie many ways in whi °h Wey have assisted «xt i? U £" c also • desire 10 . c °™rey our thanks to the N. 4. iawet for the splendid notices it has given of the club's affairs, and also to the ' Tiroes ' and 'Press' of this city for their published reports of our doings We are indebted to the « Catholic Magazine ' for placing on record m if s columns the doings of the club for the past year, ana" we would strongly urge members to become subscribers to this excellent journal. The committee in conclusion desire to thank all the members of the club for the keen interest tTiey have taken and the assistance fhey have given in all works fhat have been undertaken for the improvement of the • club during the past year. °