CATHOLIC FEDERATION

New Zealand Tablet, 3 June 1915, Page 31

CATHOLIC FEDERATION

(From our Christchurch correspondent.) After devotions in the Cathedral on last Sunday evening, Mr. Girling-Butcher, general secretary and organiser of the Catholic Federation, addressed a large number of the parishioners in the Hibernian Hall, kindly lent and furnished for the occasion. Among those present were the Rev. Dr. Kennedy, Rev. Fathers Murphy, 8.A., and Long. Councillor J. R. Hayward (vice-president of the Diocesan Council) presided. Mr. Girling-Butcher spoke at length on the lines of his previous addresses, evidently greatly interesting and instructing his audience. A very hearty vote of thanks to the speaker was moved in eloquent terms by Mr. M. Grimes (secretary of the 11.A.C.8. Society), which was seconded by Mr. M. O'Brien, and carried by acclamation. A pleasing feature of the meeting was a stirring little speech given by Mr. Consedine, a visitor from Melbourne, on the'activities of the Catholic Federation in Victoria. His remarks were listened to with marked attention and were greatly appreciated. DOMINION EXECUTIVE. (From our Wellington correspondent.) The Dominion Executive held its usual meeting in the new offices, St. Patrick's Hall, last Wednesday evening. Mr. J. J. L. Burke presided, and there were present —Rev. Father Hurley, S.M., Adm. (lion, treasurer), Messrs. T. Fouhy, L. T. Reichel, W. F. Johnson, and P. D. Hoskins (assistant lion, secretary). A large amount of routine business was disposed of, and the remit of the Dominion Council in respect to the list of disabilities which that body required prepared was taken in hand. The organiser's report disclosed satisfactory results in the Christchurch diocese. In the course" of a discussion it was pointed out that it was utterly impossible to accede to the demands of parish committees to arrange for the organiser to visit their respective districts on a Sunday, as such arrangements precluded him from covering the ground in sufficient time to allow of a visit to other dioceses where his services are so much needed. The need of donations for the Trentham Catholic Hall, erected by the Federation, was discussed, and it was decided to write to the diocesan councils requesting them to forward their promised quota.