CATHOLIC CLUBS

New Zealand Tablet, 1 June 1911, Page 1011

CATHOLIC CLUBS

——♦; ——— -'V'- . ' GREYMOUTH. , (From the club correspondent.) ■ ~ ... ‘ May 26. The usual weekly meeting of the St. Cclumba Catholic Club took place last Monday evening. A letter was received from Mr. A. F. O’Donoghue resigning his position as president of the club owing to his departure from the district. Four candidates were nominated for the vacancy, and after a close contest Mr. Thomas Keenan was elected. At the conclusion of the ordinary business the president (Mr. T. Keenan), on behalf of the members, said he had a very pleasant duty to perform. Members had heard with regret that their late president (Mr. O’Donoghue) was leaving Greymouth, and before his departure they wished to show in some slight manner the esteem in which he was held by every member of the club. In asking Mr. O’Donoghue to accept a handsome pair of field glasses, he hoped that this small token would help to remind him of the happv time he had spent in their midst. He concluded by wishing the recipient every success in his new undertaking. Several other members also spoke of the good qualities of their departing president, and wished him every success in the futufe. Mr. O’Donoghue, in thanking members for their very useful present, said that he wanted nothing to remind him of the happy time he spent in the club. He trusted that members, would devote themselves to study now that they had every opportunity and convenience in the new reading room, which was a credit to the club. In fact, the St. Columba Club could hold its own with any similar institution in the Dominion. In conclusion he said that he would always watch their doings with interest and pride, and hoped the club would continue to occupy its present high position both in literary and social work. CHRISTCHURCH. (From the club correspondent.) May 24. The usual weekly meeting was held in the club* rooms on Tuesday evening, the president (Mr. J. R. Hayward) in the chair. 4 here was a very good attendance of members and visitors, some of whom intend joining the club at next meeting. Three members were elected at the meeting and as several others arc to join within the next few weeks the chib’s prospects are decidedly bright. The president welcomed the visitors, after which those present indulged in various games, a most enjoyable evening bein* spent. The Federation wrote thanking the club for the hospitable manner in which the delegates at the recent conference were treated. The Lyttelton Literary and Debating Society wrote asking for a debate with the club in June next. The challenge was readily taken up. Next meeting night a debate will ,take place between members the subject chosen being Can a man get rich honestly? ’ MARIST BROTHERS’ OLD BOYS’ AND CATHOLIC , MEN’S CLUB, AUCKLAND. (From the club correspondent.) Now that winter is coming on, our members are devoting more attention to club matters. A social will he held in the Choral Hall on Thursday, June 1. A representative committee has this matter in hand, and its success is assured. The executive committee of the literary and debating branch has drawn up a very attractive and varied syllabus for the current session, and as the membership" is now larger than ever before, some keen competitions are anticipated for the various prizes donated to this branch—the Hackett and Gleeson medals and the two diplomas granted by the Federated Catholic Clubs of New Zealand Air. J. Smith, director of the musical branch, is now very busy organising his branch with a view to a visit to tiie Goldfields with the footballers. i I note with considerable satisfaction the success that has attended the football club this season. Five teams are entered for the various grades, and the members are kicking forward with interest to a trip round the Waikato and Goldfields. r r , °n. Sunday, May ,28, our members will approach the Holy able at St. Benedict’s Church. The chib has also invited the St Benedict’s Club to join them, after which the usual breakfast will be partaken of in the hall During the month the club has suffered the loss of one of its best workers in the person of Mr. T. Gnscott, who lias removed to Wellington. The members wish Mr and home USCOtt CVery success and Prosperity in their now WELLINGTON. (From tlie club correspondent.) r + J, he firot monthly general meeting of members uf the Catholic Club was held in the club rooms on May 4, there

being a moderate attendance of members. Rev. Father Ainsworth, S.M., occupied the chair. The hon. sec. (Mr. M. O’Kane) placed before the meeting a synopsis of the business transacted by the executive ’during the past six weeks. A favorable recommendation was passed by the meetiiig in regard to j an: application for the services of the members of the dramatic branch. Considerable time was spent in reviewing the present' position of the new Catholic Hall building fund. A general wish was expressed that . a renewed effort should be made to collect several subscriptions outstanding which had been previously promised towards the building project. Ultimately a deputation consisting of Messrs. J. W. Callaghan, A. H. Cagey, and P. J. McGovern was appointed to interview Very Rev. Father O’Shea, (president of the club) and place the views expressed by the meeting before him. The annual meeting of members of the Literary and Debating Society was held in St. Patrick’s Hall on Tuesday, May 9. Mr. A. H. Casey (vice-president) presided over a fair attendance of members. The annual report on the- work of the past session was read and approved. Tim report, inter alia-, referred to the loss the society had sustained by the removal of the Rev. Father Quinn, S.M. (president of the society) to Christchurch to join the staff of St. Bede’s Collegiate School. A vote of thanks for his appreciated and generous services was ordered to be forwarded to the Rev. Father. The election of officers resulted as follows;-Committee, Messrs. M. . O’Kane and G. Dee hon. secretary, Mr. J. ■ McGowan; delegates to Debating Societies’ Union, Messrs. O’Kane and Dee; official reporter, Mr. C. J. Pfaff. The first of a series of monthly euchre parties was held under the auspices of the club on Wednesday evening, 17th inst. The room was comfortably filled, seventeen tables being occupied by the several players. Play was indulged in till 10 p.m., when refreshments were served and the prizes allotted. The gentleman’s prize was won by Mr. Hansbery and the lady’s by Miss Burrows. Before dispersing Mr. .1. McGowan (vice-president.) thanked the members of the social committee for their services, and intimated that the next gathering would bo held on June 14. . On May 12, Mr. A. H. Casey (vice-president and chairman of the executive) was farewelled prior to his departure to England. A representative muster of members together with the officers of the Federated Catholic Clubs extended cordial wishes for a pleasant trip and safe return. On behalf of well-wishers Mr. H.-McKeown handed to Mr. Casey a suitable parting gift. ■ f v|. ASHBURTON. (From the club correspondent.) : May 28. • The usual weekly meeting of the Catholic Young Men's Club was held in the club room on Tuesday evening last, the Rev. Father O’Hare, (president) presiding over a good attendance of members. A vacancy on the club executive through the departure of Mr.. J. O’Grady was filled by Mr. M. J. Moriarty being unanimously elected to the position. An impromptu debate formed the programme for the evening, and was the means of providing a couple of hours’ interesting and enjoyable discussion on the question—- ‘ Whether it would not have been better for Ireland to content herself with the rule as meted out to her by the English Government than the continued agitation for Home Rule?’ ' r’"‘ ' ■ TEMUKA. ■ (From our club correspondent.) May 27. On Sunday last the members of the Catholic Club approached the Holy Table in a body. The club’s football team (Athletic), playing at Temuka on Thursday, defeated Star-Pirates by 6to nil. The match places Athletic on top in the junior grade, with Temuka second and Celtic close up third. The second round will begin on June 8. > On Thursday evening about forty members of the Catholic Club and Athletic footballers assembled to bid farewell to one of-their most prominent and popular members, Mr. Percy Gillespie. _ Mr. John Scott (vice-president) occupied the chair, and, in presenting Mr. Gillespie with a handsome travelling bag, referred to the great loss suffered by athletics in South Canterbury through their guest’s removal from the district. A short toast list was gone through. Mr. J. Tangney proposed that of the guests of the evening. Mr. Gillespie suitably replied, and extended a hearty welcome to any of those present who might happen to go to Palmerston North. The toast of the Athletic Football Club was proposed by Mr. Fitzgerald, and replied to by Mr. R. Gillespie. During the evening songs and recitations were given bv the following:—Messrs. Farrell, Fitzgerald, Burke (2), Goughian. and Keen. Mr. Keen presided at the piano. Mr. Gillespie left for his new home, Palmerston North, on Friday, taking with him the best wishes of his many friends.