WELLINGTON CATHOLIC CLUB

New Zealand Tablet, 1 May 1913, Page 27

WELLINGTON CATHOLIC CLUB

(From the club correspondent.)

In order to mark the arrival of : the battleship New Zealand in Wellington a number of the men were entertained in the clubrooms on April 19. The proceedings took the form of a smoke, concert, presided over by Mr. J. McGowan (vice-president). The following toast-list was honored :—' The Pope and King ' (chairman), 'H.M. S. New ; Zealand ' (J. O'Sullivan C.P.O. Coughlan), The naval supremacy of Great Britain' (H. McKeowenChief Stoker' Murphy and P.O. Johns), i Wellington Catholic Club ' (P.O. Fitzgerald—J". L. Leydon), ' Our Imperial destinies ' (E. H. Dunne— O'Kane), 'The land we live in' (B. Ley-don—-Gunner Clemens), ' The visitors' (G. DeeP.O. O'Sullivan, Seaman Molloy, and others). During the evening the following contributed items:—C. P.O. Coughlan ('An Irish colleen'), P.O. Johns ('Reminiscences'), Chief Stoker Murphy ('Murphy shall not speak to-night'), Messrs J. L. Leydon, B .Leydon, E. W. Dunne, H. Buckley, *F.« Eller, W. B. Keany, and C. J. Pfaff (members of the club) also contributed enjoyable items. An outstanding feature of the gathering was the selections rendered on the gramophone under the direction of Mr. F. Eller. Amongst the visitors was Mr. H. J. Salmon, of the Dunedin club, who responded on behalf of affiliated clubs. • - C.P.O. Coughlan, in thanking the club for the entertainment, said the gathering was a unique experience extending over twenty years' service. He trusted that in future the men of H.M. ships would have the opportunity of meeting the members of the club during their stay in Wellington. It is interesting to note that there are seventy-five Catholics on the battleship, and it is the intention of our members, prior to the departure of the battleship from Wellington in June, to hold a ' bon voyage ' evening. '■■„•- The picture of the H.M.S. New Zealand issued by the Free Lance, which is attracting so much attention, is the work of Mr E. M. Casey, brother of Mr A. H. Casey, president of the Federated Catholic Clubs of New Zealand.

On Sunday afternoon a number of club members visited the warship, and through the courtesy of Petty Officers Coughlan, Sullivan, Murphy, Fitzgerald, Johns, and O'Regan, received a good insight into the inner working of the ship. The members were afterwards entertained at afternoon tea in the petty officers' mesa.

Mr. J. E. Ward, formerly "a prominent member of the Wanganui and Dunedin clubs, has accepted the

secretaryship .of .our ■. Literary and ■: Debating Society. Last month our \ executive had pleasure in handing the sum of £4B 8s 9d to each of the principals of the Marist Brothers' Schools 'in ..Wellington for the purpose of furnishing science rooms in their :i schools. The fund, which/: was known as the ' Marist Brothers' school renovation fund,' was raised:through the personal efforts of club members ' during ? the last few years, and with accumulated interest amounted to the respectable total of £96 17s 6d; when handed over. : The club ;: has now received letters from Brothers Basil and Louis thanking the club for their donations. ' -