CHRISTIAN BROS.’ OLD BOYS’ ASSOCIATION, DUNEDIN

New Zealand Tablet, 22 June 1911, Page 1165

CHRISTIAN BROS.’ OLD BOYS’ ASSOCIATION, DUNEDIN

The members of the Christian Brothers’ Old Boys’ Association assembled in strong force in the Victoria Hall on Wednesday night of last week at a smoke concert. Mr. J. B. Callan, jun. (vice-president), in the absence of the president (Mr. Sullivan), presided over the gathering. Apologies were read from Fathers Tobin (Gore) and Delany (South Dunedin), and Messrs. Sullivan, Harnett, and L. Pavletich.

Mr. Callan in opening the proceedings said the committee of management was pleased to see so many present, notwithstanding the unfavorable nature of the weather, and also to acknowledge the increase in the numbers on the roll. He urged those who had joined the association to come to their social evenings so as to get the benefit and pleasure of renewing their acquaintance with their old school-fellows. 'lf such reunions were not brought about much of the usefulness of their being banded together would be lost. He had much pleasure in calling attention to the progress made by those formerly connected with Christian Brothers’ schools in other parts. In Queensland Mr. F. McDonald, M.L.A., had secured a State scholarship for pupils in Catholic schools in that State, and he (Mr, Callan) hoped' to see similar inducements .held out to their scholars in the Dominion. He might further mention that since their last meeting the Christian Brothers had had the honor of providing two Rhodes Scholars, one in Newfoundland and the other in Perth. That was a great honor to be achieved in so short a time. He thought they might congratulate themselves on the fact that the firstyear seniors in the Association football field were at present second on the list, and lie saw no reason why they should not occupy the first position later on. He also drew their attention to the fact that in a very short time they woujd have the pleasure of assisting in welcoming the Irish delegates to Dunedin, and urged upon the members—though he believed they required no suggestions in this direction—to do all in their power to help those gentlemen in their mission. He thought that members should not forget to congratulate Cr. Sullivan, their president (who greatly regretted his inability to be amongst them), on the prominent position in which he had been placed at the recent municipal elections, although it was not altogether a new thing to see old Christian Brothers’ boys taking prominent positions in public life. The committee of management during the year, finding itself in a better financial position, had been able to do something practical in the way of helping the the Christian Brothers by putting aside £5 for their use. This, though not a large sum, was a beginning, and he hoped would be followed by further donations. Mr, D. L. Poppelwell, a visitor from Gore, on being called on to address the members, referred in highly appreciative terms to the training he had received in the Christian Brothers’ . School in Dunedin under Bro. Bodkin, 32 years ago, and said he, as well as others, believed there was no better system of teaching to be found in any public school than that provided by the Christian Brothers. Addresses were also given by Father Coffey and Bro. Brady, both of whom pointed out the value of the association and the wide sphere of usefulness that lay before it. The gathering was made specially attractive by songs contributed by ‘ Messrs. Hussey, F. Woods, M. Goughian, H. Poppelwell, and a quartet by the Fogarty brothers. Mr. J. Blair played a pianoforte solo, and accompanied the singers. The pleasant gathering closed with the singing of the National Anthem,