Intercolonial

New Zealand Tablet, 21 April 1910, Page 635

Intercolonial

Our Sydney exchanges state that his Eminence Cardinal Moran has recovered from his recent illness, but that it will be a few weeks before he will be equal to resuming active work. - . - Mr. Thomas O’Loughlin, of Ballarat, has requested his Lordship the Bishop of Ballarat to proceed, at his expense, with the re-tiling of the floor of St. Patrick’s Cathedral, purchasing new and up-to-date seats for the edifice, and completing the sanctuary. The whole work will probably cost Mr. O’Loughlin £I4OO. " His Grace Archbishop Kelly, in the course of his address at the meeting , of the New , South Wales District of the H.A.C.B. Society in Sydney, referred to the remarkable progress which the society had made during the last ten years, and mentioned that in 1899 the branches numbered 39, with a total membership of 2463, with a district fund of £6274; in 1909, the branches had increased to 153, and the membership total to 8504, or an increase in members of 6041 district funds had risen to £25,287, or an increase of £19,013; while the total of all funds had increased from £13,040 in 1899 to £56,735. The thirteenth annual meeting of the New South Wales District of the H.A.C.B. Society was opened in St. Mary’s Cathedral, Sydney, on March 31 by his Grace the CoadjutorArchbishop (Most Rev. Dr. Kelly), who took the place of the Cardinal, who, owing to his recent illness, was unable to perform the ceremony. His Grace, who was received on arrival by the District Board Officers, was enthusiastically greeted ,by the assembled delegates, representing every branch of the organisation in the State. The district officers in their report for the year 1909-10 stated that the progress made had been very satisfactory, but added they felt sure that had it not been for the unfortunate industrial troubles from which the State suffered during their term of office the year would have been a record one from every standpoint. Fifteen new branches were opened during the yeartwelve male and three femaleand a glance at their returns showed that they were very welcome additions to the society. The admissions for the year by initiation and clearance were 2207, deducting 1072—representing losses by arrears, clearance, resignation, and death—there is a very gratifying increase of 1135 members, viz.: Men’s branches increase, 1005;women’s branches increase, 144; juvenile branches loss, 14. Tuesday, March 29 (says the Catholic Press), marked the golden jubilee of the profession of Mother Mary Hyacinth (Donnellan), who formed one of the little band of the Order of St. Dominic who, who at the desire of the late Dr. Murray, left home and kindred to labor .in the cause of religion and education in Australia. Of the eight nuns who left Kingstown and arrived in Sydney on September 5, 1867, only three remain—Mother Regis, who celebrated her golden jubilee five years ago; Sister Bernard, Waratah, and Mother Mary Hyacinth, whose jubilee was celebrated on March 29 with every manifestation of joy and enthusiasm. Mother Hyacinth, who was only seven years professed when she arrived here, had under her control the primary school, then under the supervision of the Council of Education, and to-day many thousands of Cathloic women look back with joy to the days spent under her fostering care. The little convent to which she came 43 years ago has given place to a stately pile of buildings, which extends from Albert street to Victoria street, with extensive frontages to each. Branches have been established at Tamworth, Newcastle, Waratah, Strathfield, and Moss Vale, and to all this success the venerable jubilarian has, in no small measure, contributed. ■ About 500 members of the metropolitan branches of the H.A.C.B. Society, in addition to a number of delegates from country branches who were in Sydney for the District meeting, assembled in St. Mary’s Cathedral Hall on Sunday morning, April 3, and marched into St. Mary’s Cathedral for the 8 o’clock Mass, at which the annual general Communion was received. Afterwards the breakfast was held in the Cardinal’s Hall (says the Catholic Press).- The past district president (Bro. L. T. Courtenay) presided, having on his: right his Grace the Coadjutor-Archbishop, who took the place of the Cardinal, whose recent illness prevented him from being present. Bro. Courtenay, in his address, quoted statistics ;from the annual report showing the progress of the society during the past year, particularly dwelling on the increase of membership, and the fact that wherever a, member went in Australia he was amongst brother-Hibernians, the various branches throughout the Commonwealth,being affiliated. The funds, too, had shown a substantial increase, notwithstanding that at the 'annual conference for. 1909, the benefits were not only increased, but the contributions were reduced. He felt sure that when the next quinquennial valuation came out, at the end of .this: year, they would be able to give further increased benefits, with reduced contributions. The society’s' funds in New South Wales totalled £56,735, and, he considered, it was a striking monument to the founders of the society, who framed its laws, that such progress had been made. ‘ The prospects for the present year,’ said the speaker in ‘ conclusion, are undoubtedly bright.’ - - - .