CATHOLIC FEDERATION

New Zealand Tablet, 18 March 1915, Page 29

CATHOLIC FEDERATION

CATHOLIC IMMIGRATION COMMITTEE, AUCKLAND. The following is the report of the Auckland Catholic Immigration Committee, presented at the meeting in St. Benedict’s Hall on Feb. 21:— On Feb. 1, ly!4, the C.I.C. was formed by the Dominion organiser (Mr. George Girling-Butcher). There was a large attendance from the different parishes of Auckland, who were formed into a committee, the following officers being elected:—President, Right Rev. Mgr. Gillan, V.G. : secretary, Miss A. 'Lorrigan ; assistant secretary, Miss Kersting. During the year a fair amount of work was done. Boats and trains were met, whenever information was received of their arrival. The members always took the keenest interest in welcoming the newcomers to Auckland, and in finding temporary homes and situations for both men and girls. The actual number of girls and men for whom work was found, or who were assisted to find work, was 35. Most of these people were found employment several times. We have also, in nearly every case, kept in touch with these strangers, and on the whole the work nas been satisfactory, considering the difficulty under which we have to labor. We have no hostel or club to receive the girls, and, as our members live in various narts of the city, a good deal of work was entailed in order to get in touch with them, sometimes on very short notice, when the boats were signalled, or the train was already on its way. However, we have always found them most enthusiastic, self-sacrificing, and anxious at all times to do their best for the girls, in many instances taking them to their own homes, and hospitably entertaining them until the time of their departure by boat or otherwise. During last winter socials were given, so as to bring the new arrivals together, and to get them into touch with the members. No meetings were held in the months of November, December, and January, there being very little to do, as the number of immigrants had fallen off considerably owing to the war. A few newcomers were met : work was found for them, and others thrown out of employment on account of the war and other causes. We are very thankful indeed for the assist, given us through the secret collection ; it has made our committee self-supporting, and it would have been impossible to carry on the work without some means at our disposal. We gratefully acknowledge the sum of T 5 16s 4d taken up at our meetings, the expenditure for telegrams, stamps, stationery, fares for the immigrants to their destinations, meals and beds being T 5 6s 4d, leaving a balance of 10s. ST. MARY’S PARISH COMMITTEE, WELLINGTON. The monthly meeting of the committee was held on February 26, Mr. T. P. Hal pi n presided, and there was a large attendance of members. A considerable amount of correspondence was dealt, with. It was decided that at the next meeting the question of compiling a complete

•' , . »• ■ ' ■ ■ • .• ■ ■; i census of the parish. be • considered. The secretary're-:i ported that over 300 members had paid their subscriptions for the current year. CHRISTCHURCH DIOCESAN COUNCIL. (From our own correspondent.) Mr. G. Girling-Butcher, organiser and general sec- : i;. retary of the Catholic Federation, arrived in Christchurch on last Saturday morning. Although it is his v intention to commence an organising tour of this diocese, which, owing to various causes, has been delayed, Mr. Girling-Butcher will first of all work the Westland portion, beginning at Greymouth on' next Sunday. Meanwhile, he is filling in his time in real solid endeavor. He spoke three times on Sunday to large and sympathetic audiencesfirst at the Hibernian Society’s annual breakfast, at noon at Little River, and in the evening in St. Joseph’s Schoolroom, Lyttelton, after devotions. He will probably sneak at Lincoln on Tuesday, and is due to attend a Catholic Federation demonstration and picnic at Akaroa on St. Patrick’s Day, thus finishing' the whole of Bank’s Peninsula. Little River. Journeying to Little River by motor car, the • organiser and general secretary was accompanied by Mr. J. B. Hayward (vice-president) and the secretary of the Diocesan Council, and two representatives of city branches. On arrival, Mass was just being commenced in the local Church of St. John by the Rev. Father Mein, S.M. (Maori Missioner from Otaki). A fair number of the [Native race was present among the remarkably good congregation. Father Melu spoke briefly but impressively on the approaching festival of the Apostle of Ireland, exhorting his hearers to avail themselves of the opportunity of hearing Mass on that day, and shaping their lives on the lessons taught, and noble deeds of the great St. Patrick. After reading the day’s Gospel, he concisely expounded the truths and lessons therein contained in both the European and Native language. Father Melu also paid a generous tribute to the usefulness of, and excellent work accomplished by the Catholic Federation, urging the people to remain after Mass to hear the delegates from the city, and form a branch. The perfect weather conditions prevailing enabled all to gather outside in the church grounds, Mr. T. Quealy presiding. In opening the proceedings, the diocesan secretary said that the Little River branch was already practically formed, with a membership enrolment of about seventy, and all that remained to be officially done was to elect the officers and branch committee. This part of the business was soon accomplished, and, with the pastor of the district (the Rev. Father Bonetto) as president, resulted as ' follows: Vice-president, Mr. T. Quealy; treasurer, Mr. F. Fahey; secretary, Miss Cassidy; committee— J‘. Glynan, Miss Newton, Miss L. Fahey, Messrs. T. Brankin, J. Doherty, and John Keenan ; representatives of church organisations, Mr. John Glynan and chairman of the church committee; representing the Native race, Mr. J. Tini. Mr. J. B. Hayward congratulated the district on its excellent start on Catholic Federation, and expressed his appreciation of the cordial welcome accorded the visitors. He also outlined some of the activities in which the newly-formed local branch could engage. Mr. T. IT. C. Williamson, too, gave a brief address on similar lines. Mr. G. Girling-Butcher then delivered one of his characteristically forceful and impressive addresses, which was listened to with the closest attention throughout. On the motion of the chairman, the speakers were accorded a vote of thanks by acclamation, a like compliment being extended to the chairman and the representatives of the Diocesan Council. Among those present were Mr. M. Daly (secretary), and Mr. Le Lievre (treasurer) of the Akaroa branch. After the meeting, the visitors were most generously and hospitably entertained by. Mr. and Mrs, W. Newton at their residence. Little River,