FEDERATED CATHOLIC CLUBS OF NEW ZEALAND

New Zealand Tablet, 13 April 1911, Page 665

FEDERATED CATHOLIC CLUBS OF NEW ZEALAND

The following is the annual report -of the executive of the Federated Catholic Clubs of New Zealand, to be presented at the tenth annual conference, which opens at Christchurch on April 15 : i

Since _ last annual Conference three new clubs have been admitted to the Federationviz., Otahuhu, Queenstown, and Waimate, It is to be regretted that, during the year, the Timaru Club found it necessary to disband. The executive has, however, reasonable hopes that this club will be re-established during the incoming year. There are now twenty-three clubs affiliated to the Federation—namely, Auckland, Onehunga, Otahuhu, Thames, Napier New Plymouth, Hastings, Palmerston North, Wellington, St. Anne’s (Wellington South), Blenheim, Westport (St. Canice Hokitika, Greymouth (St. Columba’s), Christchurch, Ashburton, Temuka, Waimate, Dunedin, South Dunedin, Queenstown, Gore, and Invercargill, The executive is in communication with the following clubs, with a view to their affiliation : —Newton (Auckland), Waihi, Gisborne, Manaia, Oamaru, and Wanganuithe last two clubs having been re-formed. Efforts are being made to establish clubs in Levin and Taihape. Judging by the lack of correspondence and reports from several of the affiliated clubs, they have not led a very active existence during the past season, and these clubs are enjoined to infuse more zeal into their efforts during the forthcoming term. During the year your Executive has awarded diplomas as follows: For oratory—Messrs, F. O’Gorman (Westport), J. C. Carroll (Auckland), A. F. O’Donoghue (Greymouth), F. Quinn and E. Anderson (Christchurch). For debating Messrs. J. Dwyer (Auckland), J. C. Cooper (Ashburton), J. P Boland (Onehunga), P. McNamara (Christchurch), A. Kirby (Westport), and C. L. Rasmussen (Greymouth). The Executive’s offer to award diplomas for skill in oratory and in debating should have drawn a greater response than the above list represents. An improvement in this matter, for the future, is strongly urged. For essay writing (papers read at last conference)—Messrs. L. T. Reichel (Wellington) and M. J. Burgess (Ashburton). Only two papers were submitted, both of which were of average merit, and showed evidence of original thought. The Executive consequently decided to award a diploma to both contributors. Meritorious service Messrs. R. W. Collins and E. B. L. Reade (St. Anne’s), A. H. Casey and M. O’Kane (Wellington), D. 0 Dwyer (Blenheim), J. Radford (AVestport), A. V. Patten (Onehunga), C. Fottrell and F. Rowe (Christchurch;, J. J. O’Grady (Ashburton), B. Cox (Hokitika), Thos. Knight (Timaru), C. A. Carmine and J. R. Tryon (Grevmouth). During the year Messrs. B. A. Guise and W. J. 0 Neill, of St. Anne’s Club, were elected to the Executive, owing to the resignation of Messrs. E. J. Leydon and D. Butler. The balance sheet shows the subscriptions of several clubs to be in arrears. This is an important matter, and clubs in default should give the settlement of arrears their prompt attention. A report showing the present state of the liquidation of the affairs of the Catholic. Magazine will be submitted to the conference. Your Executive desires to record its appreciation of the N.Z. Tablet Company’s generous joffer to set apart one page each week for the use of the Federation. Club correspondents are specially enjoined to forward their reports regularly to the editor, Dunedin, and by way of practical appreciation/ an effort should be made to increase the circulation of the Tablet among chib members. Since last conference the rules and regulations of the Federation have been revised; 5 and all additions and amendments, passed to date, inserted! Rule books are now available at nominal cost, and every club member is urged to procure a copy and familiarise himself with the objects, aims, and constitution of the Federation. Your Executive would again urge the necessity of more enthusiastic support by individual members of affiliated clubs. Whole-hearted co-operation is absolutely essential to the ideals of Federation, which ideals will-

assuredly be realised if each member does his share in promoting the well-being of his club, and shows an active appreciation of the advantages which spring from concerted action, and if each member labors to preserve in his club a: spirit of unity, mutual improvement, comradeship, and charity. With these objects kept steadily in view the Federation will flourish, and become a more powerful factor for good in promoting the cause of Catholicity and good citizenship. The Executive wishes to thank the clubs generally for the assistance and support given to it during the past term, and trusts that the ensuing year will be one of greater enthusiasm and activity.

CHRISTCHURCH.

(From the Club correspondent.) April 5. During the past two weeks, owing to the mission, conducted by the Redemptorists Fathers, the club rooms have been practically closed. Arrangements have been made to hold a social evening in the rooms on Easter Monday evening in honor of the delegates attending the Conference. Messrs. D. Edmonds and C. Lafferty, prominent members of the literary section of the club, are candidates for the Municipal Council. Mr. Lafferty made a very gpod impression at a public meeting at Sydenham one evening last week, as did Mr. Edmonds at the Alexandra Hall this evening. Of the five speakers that spoke at the latter place, Mr. Edmonds was undoubtedly the best. At the Christchurch musical and elocutionary competitions, Mr. E. McKeon gained first place for the impromptu speech, out of nine competitors, the subject being The pleasures of a vacation.’ Mr. Booth complimented the competitors on the manner in which they had overcome their difficult work, and added that he would like to hear the winner in a prepared speech. Out of eleven competitors in the oratorical display, Mr. P. McNamara was one of three recalled, and was placed second in the final.

GREYMOUTH.

(From the club correspondent.) April 7. • The usual weekly meeting of the St. Colomba Catholic Club was held last Monday evening. The president (Mr. A. F. O’Donoghue) occupied the chair, and thirty members were present. The president announced that the executive had accepted Schaef and Sons’ tender (£55) for furnishing the new reading room. Messrs. M. Keating and M. Moriarty were appointed, to represent the club at the conference of the Federated Catholic Clubs to be held, in Christchurch during Easter week. The subject ,on the syllabus for the evening consisted of impromptu speeches. Several of the junior members made their maiden efforts, and showed that the club has some very good talent amongst the junior members. A camera club has been started in connection with the club, and is being supported most enthusiastically by members. Our worthy president has offered to give lessons to the younger members. The St. Colomba Hockey Club have also held their annual meeting, and intend competing in the senior and junior competition.