Diocesan News

New Zealand Tablet, 17 July 1913, Page 24

Diocesan News

ARCHDIOCESE OF WELLINGTON (From our own correspondent.) . July 12. ' On last Sunday there was Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament at St. Mary of the Angels' Church. On last Friday the Particular Council of the St. Vincent de Paul Society met at St. Mary's Presbytery, under the presidency of Bro. Ellis. There was a good attendance of members, and interesting reports were received from the conferences of the Circumscription. . The annual social of the St. Aloysius' branch of the H.A.C.B. Society is an event that is looked forward to, and this year was no exception to the rule. St. Anne's Hall last Wednesday evening was prettily decorated for the occasion by a plentiful supply of bunting and green and white drapery. There was an attendance of nearly 200, among whom were Ven. Archdeacon Devoy, S.M., and the Rev. Fathers A. T. Herring and Peoples. Mr. W. H. Giles acted as secretary, whilst Mrs. Giles looked after the catering arrangements which evoked much appreciation from those present.

The winding-up meeting of the St. Patrick's Day celebration committee took place under the presidency of Mr. J. P. McGowan at St. Patrick's Hall, Boulcott street, last Thursday evening. The secretaries read the balance sheets, which disclosed a profit of £53, £SO of which was handed over to the "Wellington Catholic Education Board. The secretaries were accorded a hearty vote of thanks, and occasion was taken to place on record the congratulations of the committee to Mr. Callaghan, who for the past fifteen years has been associated with St. Patrick's Day celebrations, on his appointment as manager of the Napier Tramways. Mr. Callaghan briefly replied, thanking the committee for its kindness. He assured those present of the serious thought it had given him to consent to take the position, owing to his pleasant associations with the many committees he had worked on in Wellington. A meeting of the Catholic Immigration Society was held at the presbytery, Patterson street, on. Monday, July 7. Fourteen members were present and, in the absence of the president, the chair was taken by Mr. B. Ellis.-A, report was read giving an account of the visit paid to R.M.S. Remuera by two members, who met 17 Catholics on board. Five of the latter' were domestic servants, two only remaining in Wellington The latter, owing to our inability to house them, were obliged to remain at one of the Government hostels. These two have since obtained situations through the C. 1.5.. The five girls were entertained at afternoon tea by the St. Mary's ; Sewing Guild. Of the two families that arrived, 'one-was in sad straits, having been

sent out by the Distressed Aid Society, London. Assistance was rendered by the C.I.S. and St. Vincent de Paul Society. A sub-committee/ consisting of Misses Burke, Flannery, Vincent; and Breen, was formed, with the object of obtaining the 'names of Catholics who would accommodate arrivals from the Old Country. The C.I.S. is confronted ..with a very urgent need in the want of a Catholic hostel or boarding-house, the work of the society being much hampered by its inability to accommodate immigrants. Many inquiries are made by immigrants for the addresses of Catholic societies in other parts of New Zealand. Branches of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, willing to assist the C. 1.5., are requested to communicate with Miss Wheeler, secretary Wellington College. The' half-yearly meeting of St. Mary's (ladies') branch of the H.A.C.B. Society .was held in St. Patrick's Hall on Monday evening. Sister B. Craig (vicepresident) presided over a large attendance of members. Rev. Father J. Herring (chaplain) and Bro. M. Walsh, P.8.P., were also present. The election of officers for the ensuing six months resulted in the return of the following:— Sister G. O'Flaherty; vicepresident, Sister A. McAleer; secretary, Sister E. M Carmody; treasurer, Sister E. McMahon; warden, Sister M. Brennan; guardian, Sister N. Bell- sick visitors—Sisters B. Craig, J. Breen, and A. McAleer; auditors, Bro. P. D. Hoskins and Sister D. McGrath ; delegate to dispensary, Bro. M. Walsh. Three candidates were initiated and one proposed. The balance sheets for the quarter were read and showed that the past quarter had been a very good one. The first contingent of the St. Vincent de Paul juvenile scout brigade was formed on July 4 at the Convent girls' school, Boulcott street, when Sister Gonzaga, with Mrs. Reichel, initiated the fourth, fifth, and sixth standard girls. In the unavoidable absence of the Rev. Father Joseph Herring, S.M., Mrs. Reichel presided, and explained to the girls the objects and duties of the scout brigade. The work of the 'scouts' will be to make friends of the Catholic children of the district within a given radius of each member's home who may be attending non-Catholic schools, and endeavour to get them to attend Catholic schools. The contingent was then divided into three sections of ten members each, including a lieutenant of each section, with a captain and commander in charge of the whole contingent. The Marist Brothers' school boys will be organised as St. Vincent de Paul scouts some time next week under the direction of the men's branch of the St. Vincent de Paul Society. The report and balance sheet of the Wellington Catholic Education Board for the first year has now been issued, and discloses a very satisfactory position The receipts and expenditure are as follow: Receipts— Thorndon, £207 5s Id; Te Aro, £426 18s lOd ; Newtown, £lO3 , BS o 6d; St. Patrick's Day, £65; Boxing Day, £ll2 4s 3d; total, £914 16s Bd. Expenditure—fhorndon, £255 9s sd; Te Aro, £285 3s lOd; Newtown, £66 15s 4d; board account, £l7 10s 6d; credit balance, £289 17s 7d; total, £914 16s Bd. The recepits for the parishes are made up from the penny collections, socials, and donations. Thorndon's expenditure exceeded the receipts, owing to the fact that a community of the Marist Brothers had to be provided for and under the rules of the Order a community cannot be established with a lesser number than three, consequently Thorndon had to provide for three Brothers whilst the pupils attending, only numbered 70 Now' however, the pupils number 130 and the school receipts will, of course, be doubled, leaving the board a smaller deficiency to make good. The members of the board are naturally pleased with the result of the year's work but whilst it is considered good, it could have been very much better if all Catholics had interested themselves in it The board will organise a picture entertainment shortly, and trust that Catholics will patronise the entertainment, and thus help the cause of Catholic education. The many friends of Mr. J. W. Callaghan throughout the Dominion will be pleased to learn of his appointment as manager of the Municipal Tramways at Napier

having been selected for that position out of twenty-five applicants' Mr. Callaghan, has. for a number of years filled the position of cashier to the Wellington Municipal Tramways, and is a highly esteemed officer of the City Council and very popular, being chairman of the Wellington Municipal Officers' Association. Mr. Callaghan was born at. Newcastle, New South Wales, is a staunch Catholic, and has been associated with the Hibernian Society since early youth. On coming to New Zealand, fifteen years ago, he at once took a prominent part in the society in Wellington, being the recognised leader of Hibernianism in this city. He was.elected District Deputy of the society for Wellington after having occupied practically every office. It was through his exertions that the Newtown,\ Thorndon, Hutt, Petone, Levin, and Wanganui branches came into existence. He was also instrumental in forming the Wellington District H.A.C.B. Society Council, which has done so much good work for Hibernianism in this district. As president of the council he was mainly instrumental in bringing into existence the Wellington Catholic Education Board, of which body he is vice-chairman. Mr. Callaghan is also president of the Sacred Heart conference of the' St. Vincent de Paul Society, and.has taken a keen interest in the Catholic Club, having for a number of years occupied positions on the executive. Mr. Callaghan has also taken a keen interest in the formation of the New Zealand Catholic Federation, being a member of the provisional Dominion Executive, vice-presi-dent of the Wellington Diocesan Council, and has been elected by that body as one of its representatives on the permanent Dominion Executive when formed. From Mr. Callaghan's record outlined above it can be seen that the Catholic community of Wellington is losing one of its most popular and energetic workers, whose place it will be difficult to fill. He will take with him to his new sphere of duty the heartiest good wishes of a large circle of friends.