ST. VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY, DUNEDIN

New Zealand Tablet, 12 August 1909, Page 1253

ST. VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY, DUNEDIN

The annual meeting of the St. Vincent de Paul Society (women's branch) was held in St. Joseph's Hall on Friday afternoon. The Rev. Father Coffey, Adm., presided, 'nd his Lordship the Bishop was also present. The following report and balance sheet were presented by the committee : In presenting our twenty-fourth annual report an! balance sheet, we sincerely thank all who have helped U3 during the past year, especially his Lordship the Bishop, the clergy, the U.S.S. Company, Huddart-Parker, Messrs. Callan and Gallaway, Drs. O'Neill, Hall, and Hastings, also Mrs. Ansell (Society for the Protection of Women and Children), and Mr. Cumming (Patients and Prisoners' Aid Society). In giving a general summary of our year's work, it is hardly necessary to make any comment, for it will show that in no way has the work of the society relaxed. Summary for the year : 38 meetings were held ; 9 boys were sent to St. Mary's, Nelson, 4 girls to the St. Vincent de Paul Orphanage, South Dunedin; 12 women to Mount Ma»dala, 2 infants to- the Karitane Home, 1 girl to Auckland, and 2 girls to Wellington. The society has had 12 children baptised. Fifty-six grocery orders and 35 coal orders were given out. A large quantity of made-up clothing was distributed, also 18 pairs of new boots, 120 yards flannelette, 31 yards flannel, 89 yards dress material, 8 pairs new blankets, etc. The society consists of 110 honorary members and 11 active members. •The balance sheet showed that the total receipts amounted to £165 19s lid, made up as follows: Balance in bank, July, 1908, £41 11s 6d; donations, £21 15s 6d; church collection, £65 0s lid; poor box, £6 6s lid; subscriptions, £31 '5s Id. The expenditure was as follows : Groceries, £16 15s; drapery, £37 18s 6d; boots, £6 3s sd; coal, £11 19s 7d; telephone, £5; offerings, £5; urgent board, £3 7s; U.S.S. Company and Huddart-Parker, £15 8s 6d; sundries, telegrams, school books, train fares, etc., £6 13s 6d, leaving a balance in hand of £57 14s sd. " The Rev. Father Coffey, in moving the adoption of ths report and balance sheet, thanked the members who had so successively worked for the society during the year, and also for many years past. As they knew, the work of the society was not confined to any particular denomination, but assistance had been given to all requiring it. The president, secretary, and the other members had always been ready to assist the priests in helping those in need, and in this and other ways the society had been a great acquisition to the Church. As far as charitable work was concerned, he did not believe that there were any persons who were doing more. Now that they hfed associated them-

selves with the men's branch both were working hand in hand. Their charitable work was not confined to those who resided in the city, for strangers here, without a home to go to, were assisted. In conclusion, he thanked tho members for the good work they were doing among tho poor. His Lordship the Bishop said that he had listened with great pleasure to Ihe report just read, and he congratulated the society most heartily on the success which had attended its efforts. The members were doing a great and noble work, for which they would receive .their reward in the next world. As they knew, they did not look for any reward in this life. The ladies of the society, tby their work of charity, were giving great edification, and giving a good example to others. They had heard a great deal recently about want of employment. The members of the society had been able to give material assistance where it was needed, and he trusted that they would be able to relievo any cases that came under their notice. There would always be cases of distress, for our Divine Lord had said that the poor would be always with us. The society, year after year, was doing good work; the clergy and laity alike owed them a deep debt of gratitude, and God would reward them for what they were doing. The report and balance sheet were then adopted. The election of officers resulted as follows : — President, Mrs. A. Jackson; vice-president, Mrs. Mowat; secretary and treasure, Mrs. Hussey; wardrobe - keeper,. Mrs. Svvanson.