CATHOLIC CLUBS

New Zealand Tablet, 20 July 1911, Page 1351

CATHOLIC CLUBS

• HOKITIKA. .((From the club correspondent.) Another of the series of euchre tournaments, under the auspices of the club, was held last Tuesday evening, and proved very successful. Miss A. Leamy and Mr. H. Harker accounted for the winning prizes. Light refreshments were dispensed by the ladies’ committee. On last Thursday evening the first inter-club debate yet held in the rooms took place between teams representing the St. Columba Club (Greymouth) and our own. The subject discussed was, ‘ls a constitutional monarchy preferable to the republican form of government?’,-. The affirmative was championed by the local team, consisting of Messrs. Daly (leader), Wormington, Warren, Cox, and Hanrahan, while the negative side was taken by the visitors, whose representatives were Messrs. Moriarty (leader), McSherry,, Keenan, Carmine, and Keating. The debate proved very instructive and interesting. Rev. Fathers Clancy and Lacroix (Greymouth) acted as judges, and at the conclusion gave their verdict in favor of the visitors by the narrow margin of five points, their score being 76 against 71 points. The visitors were entertained at supper by the local club, and a very pleasant hour was spent. Songs were given by Rev. Father Lacroix, Messrs. Holt, Ralfe, Hanrahan, Clements, Downey, and Cox; recitations by Messrs. Keenan, Moriarty, Keating, and Toohey. Mr. J. Clements presided at the piano. During the week a number of the club members journeyed to Kanieri to play a billiard match with a team from that township. Out. of ten games played, our representatives only succeeded in winning two. BLENHEIM. (From the club correspondent.) July 2. The Blenheim Catholic Chib held their annual meeting during the week, and have commenced a fresh term with a strong executive. Rev. Father Hills, speaking at Mass at St. Mary’s yesterday, urged the parishioners to give their practical support to the club, so as to place it on a firm footing; The following officers were elected:—Patron, Rev. Father Hills: president, Rev. Father McDonald ; spiritual director, Rev. Father O’Sullivan; vice-president, Mr. P. O’Sullivan; treasurer, Mr. Jarvis: committee, Messrs. J. O’Halloran, D. W. O’Dwyer, J. Lawry secretary, Mr. W. O’Neill. With such an energetic executive, the club should have a most successful year. July 15. The Catholic Club has taken a firm hold on the young men of the parish, and under its president (Rev. Father McDonald) three meetings a week are held. A very pleasant time was spent in the club rooms on Thursday evening when the debating class held its weekly meeting.. There were about sixteen members present, and Rev. Father McDonald presided. The subject for debate was: * Should the art of boxing be acquired by our young men?’ Mr. J. Lawry and Mr. G. Harris took the affirmative, and Mr. P. O’Sullivan and W. Jarvis the negative side. The subject was very ably debated. Rev. Father McDonald congratulated the speakers on both sides on the able manner in which they dealt with the subject. On being put to the vote the affirmative side was declared the winner. WELLINGTON. (From the club correspondent.) On June 29, members of St. Anne's Catholic Club (Wellington South) and the Wellington Catholic Club foregathered in St. Patrick’s Hall for an inter-club reunion and games’ tournament. The rooms were comfortably filled by members of both clubs. Mr. J. McGowan (vice-president) extended a cordial greeting to the members of St. Anne’s Club, and intimated that proceedings would be enlivened by several items by

artists in the forefront in the musical world (per gramophone). Mr, J. Parker, of the Dresden Piano Company, manipulated the instrument, and delighted all present with an excellent series of records. Rev. Father Ainsworth, S.M., addressed the members and pointed out the advantages to be derived from inter-club reunions. Refreshments' were partaken of, and enjoyable items towards, the evening’s programme were rendered by Messrs. Lambert, C. Pfaff, Keaney, and McErlean. Before dispersing, Mr. Guise (president of St. Anne’s Club) conveyed the appreciation of the visiting members for the pleasant evening spent, and trusted that honors in the games’ tournament would be reversed at their return reunion to be held in a few weeks’ time. At the weekly meeting of the Literary and Debating Society, held in the club rooms on July 4, the subject debated was:' 1 That Capital Punishment be Abolished.’ Mr. Gerald Dee introduced the motion, and Mr. R. Duffy led the opposition. Ten members joined in the discussion. An appreciable feature of the debate was the material introduced, showing that members had spared no pains in preparation. On going to the vote the motion was carried by a small margin. The billiard table committee are to be commended for the excellent work they have accomplished. The billiard-table and appurtenances have been thoroughly overhauled, and it is anticipated that a record entry will be forthcoming for the handicap tournament that will commence at the end of the present month. CHRISTCHURCH. (From the club correspondent.) July 13. In my previous notes 1 quite omitted to mention a very important and pleasing ceremony that took place m the club rooms on Thursday, the 29th ult., when members entertained Messrs. Redmond and Donovan, the Irish delegates, -who happened to be in Christchurch on that evening. Amongst those present were his Lordship the Bishop, Very Rev. Father Price, Adm., Rev. Dr. Kennedy, Rev. Father Hanrahan, and about 100 of the club members and their lady friends. A very appropriate speech of welcome was made by tha president (Mr. J. R. Hayward), to which the delegates responded. A really fine programme of songs and recitations was thoroughly enjoyed by those present, and the club are to be heartily congratulated on the splendid success of the function, and also on being the only Catholic Club in the Dominion to entertain the distinguished visitors. Last evening the club were At home to the H.A.C.B. Society, and entertained them at a card and billiard tournament, which resulted in a win for the club in cards and a win for the Hibernians in billiards, so honors were easy. During* the evening light refreshments were handed round, and Mr. F. Rowe (vice-presi-dent) in a neat and humorous speech welcomed the members of the H.A.C.B. Society, to which Mr. E. L. McKeon (president of the society) replied. After supper a capital program of songs and recitations was given by Messrs. F. Rowe, C. Fotterill, P. McNamara, and F. Healy. A return match is to take place in the Hibernian Hall early in August. O AMARU. (From the club correspondent.) July 14. At last week’s meeting of St. Patrick’s Club, a change was made from the stereotyped debate by the holding of a mock Trial by jury.’ The attendance of members was good, and the evening’s programme passed off-very successfully. The Whole matter had been well worked up by both the prosecution and defence, and a decidedly good representation of a Supreme Court trial was given. The various offices incidental to the case were taken as follows: Judge, Mr. P. C. Hjorring ■ Crown prosecutor, Mr. M. F. Cooney, assisted by Mi*. W. Collins; counsel for defence, Messrs. E. J. Barry and James Molloy; registrar, Mr. F. W. Ongley prisoners at the bar, Messrs. J. Crowley and J. Connor;

police constables, Messrs. W. McCombic and J. Roxburgh; medical witness, Mr. M. .....Hannon; Crown witnesses, Messrs. T. Cooney and W. Lacry (seamen), J. McKenzie (civilian),, and G. Cartwright (pensioner) : foreman of jury, Mr. D. J. Corcoran. The case for the Crown was ably slated by Messrs. Cooney and Collins, and a vigorous defence was made by Mr. Barry, assisted by Mr. Molloy,-the-cross-examination of witnesses being decidedly good and provocative of unceasing merriment, which the registrar was unable to quell. After two hours’ sitting the jury was addressed by Mr. Collins and counsel for defence, the latter’s address being good to listen to, and after a brief summing up by the judge, the jury retired. After, a short deliberation a verdict was given of ‘not guilty in respect of Johannsen (a Swede)i.e., Mr. J. Connor—and ‘guilty’ in respectof Jackson (a colored seaman), impersonated by J. Crowley. Sentence being pronounced, the court adjourned in the customary manner, thus concluding one of the club’s most enjoyable evenings. On Wednesday the members entertained their lady friends at a progressive euchre party, which was well attended, and an enjoyable time was spent by the young people. The prizes were won by Miss O’Connor and Mr. A. Wallace. GORE. (From the club correspondent.) The Gore Catholic Young Men’s Club held their weekly meeting on Monday, July 3, among those present being Very Rev. Father O’Donnell, Rev. Father Tobin, and Dr. A. J. Mcllroy. The programme for the even-. ing was a mock banquet. Mr. Patrick Lynch presided, and proposed the toast of the ‘Pope and King.’ The ‘ Agricultural and Commercial ’ toast was in the hands of Mr. Edmund Columb, to which Mr. Patrick Daly responded. The toasts of the ‘ Clergy,’ the ‘ N.Z. Parliament,’ ‘Sports,’ the ‘Press,’ and the ‘Ladies ’ were duly honored. Mr. James Holland, jun., responded for the ladies, Mr. Michael Malta for sport. Mr. Wells contributed a serio-comic piece, Mr.' A. H. Smith a vocal selection, and Mr. Frank O’Connor a humorous sketch. Lignt refreshments were supplied by the committee. After the banquet the members took the opportunity of saying farewell to Mr. Frank O’Connor, who is returning home to Australia. The sinking of ‘ Auld lang syne brought a capital evening’s entertainment to a close. GREYMOUTH. (From our club correspondent.) July 12. A very pleasant evening was spent at the St. Columba club rooms last Wednesday evening, when the Children of Mary entertained the club members at a social gathering. The hall was beautifully decorated by the ladies with ferns and evergreens. The first part of the evening was devoted to progressive euchre, about one hundred and twenty ladies and gentlemen taking part. - The ladies’ prizes were won by Misses N. Molloy and M. Moymhan, and the gentlemen’s by Messrs. T. Keenan and M. Moriarty. After an excellent supper was served by the ladies, the following contributed items:—Misses T. Burke, K. Braidwopd, and J. Braidwood, Rev. Father Lacroix, Messrs. A. Hoult, P bmyth, J. O’Donnell, and William McGrath. It is the intention of club members to give a return social to the Children of Mary at an early date. The St. Columba Club representatives at the Greymouth elocutionary competitions to be held next month wore selected last week by the selection committee (Rev Father Fmnerty, Broth’er Alfred, and T. Keenan) Seventeen members of-the club are taking part