CHRISTCHURCH CATHOLIC CLUB

New Zealand Tablet, 9 October 1913, Page 43

CHRISTCHURCH CATHOLIC CLUB

ANNUAL MEETING (From our own correspondent.) The thirteenth annual meeting of the Christchurch Catholic Club was held on last Saturday evening in the clubrooms, Wiltshire Buildings, High street. The president (Mr. F. Rowe) was in the chair, and about twenty members were present. After the minutes of the previous annual meeting were read and confirmed, the president read the annual report, which was as follows : In presenting the annual report and balance sheet, members have every reason to feel satisfied with the position of- the club in this, the thirteenth year of - its existence. The financial position is entirely satisfactory, there being a balance of assets over liabilities of £173 12s sd, and this after writing off the heavy item of £8 9s 3d for depreciation. The credit balance for the year just closed stands at £2O 6s Id, which is very satisfactory when it is remembered that the year began with a slight debit. The membership shows 93 financial members, and owing to , the large number who through removal, etc., left the club during the past season, this must be considered very satisfactory. Ten new members were admitted during the year, and the prospects of- increased membership are very bright. Your committee felt that owing to the forthcoming bazaar, and the large amount of work that alone would entail, they were not justified in organising the usual number of winter entertainments. However, those functions that were held proved thoroughly enjoyable. During the month of May the H.M.S. New Zealand arrived in Lyttelton, and, acting on the advice of the Federated Executive, your committee made arrangements with Captain Halsey to entertain the Catholic officers and men at a smoke concert on Monday, May 19. The patron of the club (Sir George Clifford) presided. Members are to be sincerely congratulated on the great success of this unique function, your club being,,, with Wellington, the only Catholic body throughout New Zealand to entertain the members of the battleship. The speeches on that evening were of a very high order, and Sir George Clifford, in his address of welcome, was particularly happy in Iris remarks. Your late president (Mr. E. T. Harper) was tendered a farewell evening and made the recipient of several very nice presents on behalf of members on the occasion of his departure for England. At Easter the annual conference of Federated Catholic Clubs was held in your rooms, the conference being a most successful one. At its conclusion a series of debating, tennis, and billiard tournaments was held for the shield. After a most closely contested, series Greymouth were successful, Beating your representatives by half a point. We sincerely congratulate the Coast representatives on their splendid win. Dr. Flight, of Canterbury College, very kindly acted as judge in the debates, and both the Federation and your committee desire to express sincere thanks to our worthy vice-president for , his kindness. The concluding function of the season was a most enjoyable social evening tendered to our lady friends tor many kindnesses received, and we again take the oppotrunity of expressing thanks for past favors. The club has every reason to be very thankful to its many patrons and friends for their generous support, particularly the following; Very Rev. Chancellor Price, Rev. Father O’Boyle (chaplain), Sir George Clifford, Messrs. H. H. Loughnan, B. F. Darby, E. T. Harper, Miss R. White, Drs. O’Brien and Morkane, and many others. During the year Dr. , Sight, of Canterbury College, was elected a vicepresident. The work don© by Mr. E. L. McKeon must not be overlooked. The position of secretary is an arduous one, entailing much time, and our thanks are due to him for keeping the club together, maintaining its financial standing, and generously contributing to club funds competition winnings. During the year your late secretary, Mr. Geo. Dobbs, gave most valuable assistance in keeping the club’s books. We wish to place on record our hearty appreciation of

his generous servicesr Mr. Frank O’Connell proved himseir invaluable as an able and willing assistant secretary Mr. Percy Augarde has more than earned our thanks \as musical accompanist. The Tablet , Times, and Press have as usual courteously published our club fixtures. We also wish to thank Mr. James Ainger for acting in the capacity of hon. auditor. Mr. E. L . McKeon v(secretary) ,presented the balance sheet, which • showed that the receipts for the year amounted to £67 4s sd, the principal items being Subscriptions, £4B 6s; billiard takings, £l2 18s 9d. The principal items of expenditure were—-Rent, £2O; salaries, £7 ; gas, £7 2s 9d; leaving cash in hands of secretary and treasurer, £2O 6s Id. The excess of assets over liabilities was £173 12s sd, including furniture valued at £l3O 7s 6d. On the motion of Mr. J. R. Hayward, seconded by Mr. G. Dobbs, the report and balance sheet were unanimously adopted. Speaking to the motion, Mr. Dobbs commented on the apparent decline of the literary and debating elements of the club, and recommended to the attention of the incoming executive committee’ a resumption of what,' in the past, was one of the club’s strong features. In view of the falling off in revenue as indicated in connection with the billiard table, Mr. Dobbs advocated a renewal of the billiard tournaments. Mr. Rowe said he was distinctly optimistic regarding the future of the club. He advocated the promotion of larger gatherings in one or other of the city halls, affording accommodation not possible in their own club premises. This, he contended, was justified by recent experiences. Mr. Rowe agreed that there was more profit, educationally, in debates than .in any other feature of club work, and although not prominent of late, the report showed that many other functions had been carried out, showing, how useful an institution the club was as a centre, available and accessible, when occasion arose, for Catholic social events. His 'Lordship Bishop Grimes, and Sir George Clifford, Bart., are patrons of the club, ■ and the following officers were elected for the ensuing year:—President’, Mr. F. Rowe (unopposed) ; honarary vice-presidents— Dr. A. O’Brien, Dr. C. Morkane, Professor Hight, Messrs. M. Donnolly, H. H. Loughnan, C. L. Clifford, P; F. Darby, M. Nolan, E. T. Harper, and A. J. O’Malley; active vice-presidents Messrs. J. R. Hayward, E. L. McKeon, and P. McNamara: treasurer, Mr. W. Hayward, jun. ; secretary, Mr. L .Madden; executive committee—Messrs J. McNamara, B. O’Connor, J. Cronin, B. Murphy, and J. Devenport; honorary auditor, Mr. J. Ainger. By existing appointment the Rev. Father O’Boyle is spiritual director, and Mr. Rowe undertook to act as librarian. A vote of thanks was passed to outgoing officers and. members of the executive committee.