MARIST BROTHERS’ OLD BOYS’ ASSOCIATION, CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, 14 March 1912, Page 45

MARIST BROTHERS’ OLD BOYS’ ASSOCIATION, CHRISTCHURCH

ANNUAL MEETING (From our own correspondent.) The second annual meeting of the above association was held on last Wednesday evening in the boys’ schoolroom, Barbadoes street. Mr. C. Liafferty (vice-' president) presided, and there was a large attendance of members Among' those present were trie Very ; Rev. Father Price, Adm., the Rev. Father Hanrahan, Brother Calixtus (principal), and several of the Marist Brothers. The following is a synopsis of the-.jeport and balance sheet, which were presented and adopted: Your committee take the opportunity of congratulating the members for their united efforts in making the club the great success it has been. The club competed in four competitions during the past season, which, being its second year, practically establishes a record in football, it being no light task to send out four teams regularly each week end. Though' not at the top of the pole with regard to the championships, your performances were highly creditable. The following were the club’s performances in matches played:— SeniorsPlayed 13, won 1, lost 12; Juniors —played 10, won 4, lost 5, drawn 1; Presidents — 13, won 4, lost 7, drawn 2; Fourth Classplayed 11, won 5, lost 6. In interprovincial matches your club was represented by Mr. W. Mahoney, and our Junior representatives were J. Griffen and C. Burney. Our Easter engagement with the Athletic team (Temuka) was played at Timaru, and resulted, after an enjoyable game, in a win for the Marists by 11 points to 6. We must congratulate Mr.- P. O’ Shea,__ one of our members,\ in securing the blue ribbon of Australasia by getting fastest time in the Warrnambool road race. Mr. C. Lafferty has kindly donated a trophy to be given to the best back in the fourth grade. During the year a rifle club was formed under the captaincy of Mr. W. McConnell, an cl it was mainly due to his efforts that the rifle team achieved such a success. The junior championship shield was won by the team, and Mr. W. McConnell won the senior championship, and Mr. T. Murphy carried off the junior championship. Mr. ,E. McCarthy, one of our youngest members, was runnerup in the junior championship, second in Hallenstein’s cup, and first in an open handicap. Your committee undertook on behalf of the club to give a concert, which proved a thorough success. They also undertook on your behalf the management of the Catholic picnic and sports held on Boxing Day, this being also very successful. The annual euchre party and social, which was held on October 12, proved to be most enjoyable arid successful. Several billiard tournaments were held during the past year, and very keen interest was taken in them. The winners were Messrs. W. Birmingham j A. Fanning, and F. Wain. * Your committee regret the loss of prominent members—Mr. .E O’Connor, who died last year, and Messrs. H. Fitzgerald, J. Mahoney, and A. McGreal, who have been transferred to other parts of the Dominion. . The rooms taken in St. Asaph street by your committee have, with the-assistance of members, proved a profitable asset. The annual church parade and general Communion of the members took place in July. Members and cadets to the number of 250 marched in regalia to and from the Cathedral from the school. The whole parish was greatly impressed and edified at such a manifestation of faith. In conclusion, the retiring committee thank the members for the cordial support accorded during their term in office, and trust that the incoming committee will receive the same consideration. ' The ;-. balance sheet showed the receipts for the year'to be; £149 : : 16s 2d, made up as follow: — Subscriptions; .£44 13s; concerts and socials, £25 18s 2d; balance from previous year, £l3; billiards, £52 ss; building fund, £l4. The expenditure amounted to £137 Is Id, leaving a cash: balance in hand of £l2 15s Id. The assets are set down at £BO 5s Id, and the liabilities at £9 10s. ■ * < - *• -- The chairman spoke in congratulatory terms in regard to the excellent results achieved and prosperous position of the association. , ,

• Very Rev. : Father Price, Adm., also heartily congratulated, the association on the excellent report- presented. .J The usefulness; of the association and the helpful interest of the members in parish undertakings had been amply demonstrated since it was formed, and he was convinced that in the members he had a strong and willing body of ardent workers, ready at hand and prepared to assist whenever , called upon. lie desired to thank them particularly for the way they had carried out the last annual picnic, which, despite the somewhat depressing weather conditions of the morning, had proved a great success and resulted-in £l9 being available for the school fund. As again showing how capable they were in promoting these events the concert in aid of the prize fund was also a great success. Whilst distinguishing themselves on the athletic field, they, were not unmindful of their religious duty, and the parade and Communion of last year, whilst edifying the whole parish, revealed also a healthy spiritual state. The association was now numerically strong, .still there must be many more who should be and were not associated. He trusted that loyalty to the traditions of the old school would incite these to join forces with the present members and form a compact whole. He was indeed grateful for the work already done in the interests of the parish, and with the successes shown in the past, they could be safely entrusted in the sarrie direction in the future. Owing to press of other duties Father Price said he would be obliged to relinquish his position of spiritual director in favor of Father Hanrahan, a young and energetic man like the majority of themselves, who would well look after their -spiritual -interests, and encourage their more • strenuous pursuits. . ;, : Brother Calixtus said it afforded him great pleasure to sincerely, thank Father Price for helping in everything the association undertook. He undoubtedly was the best friend they had in Christchurch. .With the appointments within and without they were possessed of the best school in the Dominion. For this they had every reason to be grateful, and whatever appeal may be made to them by the Very Rev. Administrator it should be taken up with real earnestness; The club successes attained so far were ' not very brilliant, but they ,were a good beginning, indicating greater possibilities. "/ : ' Mr. J. Power said he was very pleased to be associated with the club. The lack of success last year could _ be mainly attributed to the want of practice. Combination and practice were essential to . success in football. Mr. L. Crobell (club captain), speaking on the subject of , the balance sheet, said that larger and better rooms were clearly required. The results of last season’s football fixtures showed the absolute necessity of training. In miniature, rifle shooting the club had done well. He thanked all members for the support given to himself and committee. i > ; The Very Rev. Father Price was greeted with hearty cheers when at this stage of the meeting he retired. V* *»*?#: t. The chairman welcomed the Rev. Father Hanrahan, who said he would do his utmost to increase the membership .of the association. It was very gratifying, -he said, to see already so many fostering the traditions of the old school. ' - . ~.. . ; It was decided to refer to the executive committee the desirability of forming a hockey team to enter, the winter competitions, and also to form a fifth football team, subject to the consent of the Canterbury} Rugby Brother Calixtus thanked the - association- for the handsome gold medal presented to the school. It was decided to open the football season on Saturday, ' March 16.