Greymouth

New Zealand Tablet, 26 June 1913, Page 26

Greymouth

(From our own correspondent.) A large number of likely candidates are mentioned in connection with the Grey constituency, and in response to an influential deputation, Mr. M. Hannan announced that he would contest the seat. - At the last meeting of the local branch of the Catholic Federation, a proposal to invite his-Lordship Bishop Cleary, of Auckland, to hold a series of lectures on the Coast was discussed. Very Rev. Dean Carew B^§§ e sted that -it would be better to hold over the invitation until after the winter, when there would be a better prospect of his Lordship undertaking the trip. It was decided to act on the suggestion. The local branch officers of the H.A.C.B. Society have had a busy time recently. Mainly owing to the efforts of Bros. Keenan, Keating, and Smyth, a branch has been formed at Kumara and will be formally opened at an early date. The officers also visited Hokitika last week to assist at the inauguration of the Hokitika branch, which was opened by Bro. N. Milligan, of Denniston, the West Coast district deputy. The membership of St. Patrick's branch is also steadily increasing, and is now touching the 150 mark. The handsome shield, which the St. Columba Club won at the Federated Catholic Clubs' conference in Christchurch at Easter time, came to hand last week and will be duly presented to the club by Very Rev. Dean Carew, on behalf of the Federated Clubs’ executive. Last week a debate was held in the club, the subject, * That State ownership of the land is in the best interests of the Dominion,’ causing a good deal of interest. Messrs. Keenan (leader), B. Rasmussen, and McSherry, upheld the affirmative, whilst Messrs. Doogan (leader), Keating, and Rasmussen supported the negative. A very interesting discussion took place and, needless to say, the team that is to debate the same subject with the Wesley Club received, a thorough preparation for the event. At the conclusion, the team to uphold the affirmative against Wesley Club was selected T follows: Messrs. Keenan (leader), C. Rasmussen, A. McSherry, and M. Keating. ■ The Catholic community of the . West Coast, and of Greymouth in particular, have cause to regret the death of Sir Arthur Guinness, M.P., one of their best friends both in and out of Parliament. He was engaged just prior to his death in addressing meetings in various parts of the Coast in favor of a deep sea harbor, and he is supposed to have caught a severe chill whilst engaged as above, or in visiting. H.M.S. New Zealand His record of 39 years of public life on the West Coast, during 29 of which he . has represented the Grey Electorate, will stand as an enduring monument to his name. By ths death of Sir Arthur the Catholics of Grey have suffered the loss of a generous and liberal supporter. To his efforts alone can be attributed the

granting of free railway passes to children attending Catholic primary and secondary schools. At all times he placed his services at the disposal of the Catholic community, and as Very Rev. Dean Carew, our worthy parish priest, once said, ‘ Sir Arthur succeeded in obtaining more concessions for Catholics than any other man who has ever occupied a seat in the House.’ Only a few months ago he promised to do his utmost to see that -the School Journal was supplied free to our schools. His death is universally regretted by the Catholic body throughout the West Coast. The- funeral, which was held on Friday, was attended by a very large concourse of people, the procession being half a mile in length. Included among • the many hundreds of wreaths were two from the Convent and Marist Brothers’ children.