CATHOLIC FEDERATION

New Zealand Tablet, 1 October 1914, Page 36

CATHOLIC FEDERATION

CHRISTCHURCH DIOCESAN COUNCIL.

(From our-own correspondent.)

( The- adjourned meeting of the executive of the Christchurch Diocesan Council was held in the Federation looms, Wiltshire Buildings, on last Monday evening. The president (Mr. W. Hayward) presided, and there were present Mr. J. E. Doolan, Mr. J. R. Hayward,, and the secretary. The whole of the business transacted at the last annual general meeting of the Diocesan Council was reviewed. ■ A report on matters thereat dealt with and remitted to the Dominion Council for final consideration was given by Mr. J. R. Hayward, Christchurch representative to that meeting, and approved of.. It was decided that a deputation from the executive should wait upon his Lordship the Bishop in reference to a subject brought up and discussed at the Diocesan Council meeting and remitted to the executive for further action. A circular letter from the general and organising secretary was read, and it was decided to at once move in the matters therein outlined.

Prior to the executive meeting the Catholic Immigration Committee met, the president of the executive committee presiding. The secretary (Miss L. Johnson) gave a very satisfactory report of the work done since the inauguration of the committee. With reference Principally to girl immigrants, nine have passed through the committee’s hands, all of whom are apparently doing well, a record being kept of their addresses. Reference was made to a marked diffidence of the girls in nearly, every instance to make themselves known to those appointed to meet them, being evidently more inclined to evade recognition than otherwise. It is not easy to understand what influences are at work to bring this about, but no doubt a solution of the difficulty will some time be discovered. Nurse Guiney was elected to the committee, and together with the secretary was empowered to inquire ami report on the best arrangements to bo made to secure rooms for their clients to meet at on the occasions of their weekly days out, and for accommodation when out of employment. This, it is intended, will evolve into a permanent institution on the lines of the Girls’ Friendly Society.

CH RI ST Cl IU R Cll OR T f.

The St. Mary’s branch of .the Catholic Federation was field •on Sunday evening, the Very Rev. Dean Hills, S.M., V.G., presiding. There was a good attendance. A matter of great importance— the boarding out. of Catholic children in Catholic homes—again discussed. The object of the Federation is to find suitable Catholic homes where the faith of the child would not be jeopardised, as experience has proved that great laxity has been shown by those responsible in placing children in homes of very indifferent Catholics. The remuneration the Government grants is about ten shillings a week ; and the Federation would be very pleased to receive the addresses' of suitable Catholics who would help in this good work.