CHRISTCHURCH DIOCESAN COUNCIL

New Zealand Tablet, 23 July 1914, Page 17

CHRISTCHURCH DIOCESAN COUNCIL

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING. (From our own correspondent.) (Concluded from last week.) lire conference was resumed on the following evoning (Ihursday, July 9) at 7.30 p.m. In the absence of the pi esident, who was indisposed, Mr. J. R. Hayward (vice-president) presided. An apology was received from the-Very Rev. Chancellor Price, Adm., and Mr. J. Cunneen (Lincoln) for unavoidable absence. Jhe secretary moved—‘That this meeting express its deep appreciation of the splendid addresses given at the public meeting in the Art Gallery by his Lordship Bishop Grimes (through the Very Rev. Dean Hills), Mr. H. 11. Loughuan, and Mr. W. Angland.’ This was carried unanimously amid applause. Embodied in the same motion was an expression of appreciation at the presence of Mrs. P. Burke (representing Hawarden), the first and only, lady delegate so tar participating in the Council meetings. This also was carried by acclamation. An animated discussion then ensued upon the subjects appearing on the agenda paper. The first of these was a consideration of the best methods to be adopted by Catholics in order that justice may be secured for Catholic secondary schools. The Very Rev. Dean Hyland expressed his views regarding Catholic representation on school committees. Mr. S. J. Ryan (Rangiora) proposed that the matter be left to the discretion of local branches, as being best capable of estimating chances of success or otherwise. Mr. J. P. Leigh (Tiinaru) seconded the motion. The remit was carried. The extreme importance of enrolling all over the age of 21 years on the Parliamentary and Municipal rolls was endorsed. The next subject dealt with was the advisability of holding district conferences at frequent intervals at centres where other parishes could be conveniently grouped ; the Diocesan Council to map out such districts. The secretary thought the time was not opportune to carry out this design. He moved that whilst adhering to the rule of holding annual meetings in the chief city as a general principle, the half-yearly meetings bo movable. This was seconded by the Rev. Father Richards, and carried unanimously. The mover then proposed that the next half-yearly meeting be held in Tiinaru, with the object of enabling all to participate in the Catholic demonstration suggested at the annual meeting of the Tiinaru branch. The Timaru delegates extended a hearty invitation. After full discussion, the Rev. Father Richards moved and the secretary seconded that Timaru be asked to fix a date and arrange for the next half-yearly meeting.—Carried. The need of setting up vigilance committees for the purpose of dealing with objectionable picture films, theatricals, literature, etc., was strikingly proved by the secretary, who, after showing what had been done by the local vigilance committee, brought under the notice of the meeting a vile anti-Catholic book circulated by one of the city public libraries supported in part by the city general rates, and suggested stringent measures to suppress the indiscriminate circulation of such literature by libraries, and to Catholic patients in the Public Hospital. He moved a recommendation of this remit being endorsed and brought under the notice of the various branches. St. Mary’s representative mentioned several books having been taken off the shelves of the Christchurch Public Library on representation to the librarian.—Carried. The next subject dealt with was * What measures should be taken to facilitate Catholic immigration, especially with reference to domestics.’ The secretary gave reasons for moving a consideration of this remit. Making reference to the published statement attributed to the Prime Minister, wherein it was suggested that the Salvation Army be suggested as an agency to undertake this duty, he advocated organising the St. Vincent de Paul Society, with its network of branches throughout

the United Kingdom, for this work. Mr. W. Angland (I imam) proposed that the matter be thoroughly gone into by the delegates to the Dominion Council, and recommended the Dominion Executive to approach the Immigration Department tor a fair understanding.—Carried. The necessity of appointing representatives to attend the Juvenile and Magistrates’ Courts in the interest of Catholic children ’ was affirmed on the motion of the secretary, who gave good reasons furnished by the St. Vincent de Paul Society. The establishing of a Catholic hostel for the accommodation of Catholic girls awaiting situations, and in the interests of Catholic young women newly arrived was a remit moved by the secretary. The Rev. Dr. Kennedy suggested approaching the authorities of existing institutions meanwhile. Proposed by Mr. Angland, seconded by Mr. Leigh—‘ That the matter be held over until the Immigration Department were approached.’— Carried. The two following remits from Timaru were bracketed for the purposes of discussion. The Diocesan Council provide marquees for the purpose of having Mass celebrated at military camps. Mr. Leigh, supporting the remit, thought various branches should assist in railing it to camps could be borne by the Diocesan trouble need be anticipated from military authorities. After the marquee was provided the expense incurred in railing it to camps could be borne by the Diocesan Council. The Rev. Dr. Kennedy, in seconding the 'motion, urged that practical steps be taken immediately. —Carried. MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS. Not the least important aspect of the conference was the amount and urgency of the business transacted, other than that appearing on the agenda paper. In this connection the secretary of St. Mary’s branch (Christchurch) performed a splendid service in presenting lengthy type-written notes of the investigations and findings of his branch on the social question. The chairman congratulated St. Mary’s secretary for the fine work he had done, and pointed out that the inspection of boarding-out homes for children was very lax. * The Rev. Father Richards was of opinion that no homo for boarding out Catholic children should be accepted by the State authorities unless approved of by the Federation. The Rev. Dr. Kennedy proposed that a motion of appreciation be passed to the diocesan secretary for his services, and that he be re-elected and remunerated. Mr. 11. D. Tomlinson (Fairlie) and other delegates spoke to the motion, which was seconded by Mr. Bachelor (St. Andrews) and carried. The chairman thanked delegates for attending and devoting so much time and energy to the business of the conference, lie also thanked the clergy for their attendance and valued assistance at the meeting. The Very Rev. Dean Hyland replied on behalf of the clergy, and expressed the hope that all parishes not yet organised and those that are organised will be represented at next meeting. Mr. W. Angland (Timaru) thanked the executive and Christchurch branches for the reception accorded the delegates. The Rev. Father Richards proposed and Mr. W. Barry (Fairlie) seconded a. hearty vote of thanks to the president and executive for the work done and the manner in which the meeting was conducted. Mr. J. R. Hayward replied on behalf of the executive officers.

Gisborne (From an occasional correspondent.) Rev. lather Carran and a party of Gisbornites left by steamer for ’Wellington on July 19 to attend the monster meeting of protest against the Referendum Bill. Sister Emcrentia, of the local convent, received the sad news of the death of her mother a few days ago. he sympathy of the whole community will be extended to the good Sister in the sad loss which she has sustained. The annual entertainment in aid of the convent school is fixed for next month (August). The utmost enthusiasm is being displayed by the ladies’ committee who have the matter in hand, and -the social promises to be a huge success. The bazaar committee continues to do good work and by the opening night (October 19) it is anticipated there will be nothing left undone to ensure the success of the largest undertaking of this kind ever attempted in Gisborne. Mr. J. E. Main (chairman of committee) and those associated with him are confident of putting up something in the nature of a record us regard'’ takings, Ashburton (From our own correspondent.) The half-yearly Communion of the members of the local branch of the H.A.C.B. Society was held on Sunday, July 5, when a large number of members, in conjunction with members of the Catholic Club,’approached the Holy Table in regalia. The local branch of the H.A.C.B. Society has of late shown a gratifying increase in membership. The improvement in the attendance at the branch meetings and the enthusiasm shown by members augur well for the future success of the branch. Included in the pass list of the Royal College of Music in the theory examination, held in Ashburton, appear the names of pupils of the local convent as following:—Dorothy C. Cullen, Ellen Hanrahan, Anna Bradley, Olive Christie, Ella Langley, and Dorothy Brown. The weekly meetings of the Catholic Young Men's Club continue to be well attended. The business at the last weekly meeting took the form of a discussion on an originally-worded Licensing Act Amendment Bill, brought clown by the club president (Mr. D. McDonnell). Mr. McDonnell, as Premier, was ably supported by Mr. F. K. Cooper in his endeavour to pass the Bill through the House. The Leader of the Opposition (Mr. S-. Madden), with Mr. M. J. Burgess as his worthy lieutenant, vigorously protested against the measure—the consequence of which was the adjournment of the discussion till the next meeting night. The half-yearly meeting of the Ashburton branch of the T1.A.C.8. Society was held on Monday, evening, July 6. There was a good attendance of members, Bro. T. Purcell, 8.P., presiding. One new member was. initiated. The following officers were elected for the ensuing half year:Past president, Bro, J. Lee : president, Bro. T. Purcell (re-elected) : vice-president, Bro. J. Lennon (re-elected): treasurer, Rev. Father O’Donnell (re-elected) ; secretary, Bro. F. Brophy; warden, Bro. P. Brosnan : guardian, Bro. J. Devlin ; sick visitors, Bros. J. Lennon and V. Madden (re-elected) ; auditors, Bros. J. Hannigan and S. Madden. Pastpresidents Bros. T. M. Brophy and S. Madden were appointed to act on the judicial committee. The officers were duly installed in their various positions, and, after other business had been transacted, the meeting closed and the members were entertained at supper, kindly provided by the president.