Hamilton

New Zealand Tablet, 19 August 1915, Page 31

Hamilton

(From our own correspondent.) August 12. Owing to the resignation of the president (Miss Doyle), a meeting of members of St. Mary’s Club was held on Tuesday evening for the purpose of electing a successor. The officers of the club at present are: President, Mrs. L. M. Pryor vice-presidents, Mrs. Watson and Miss Smith; secretary, Miss McCarthy; treasurer. Miss Stapleton ; committee—Misses Lafferty, Cussen, and Burke. A report was presented, showing the work done by the members for the wounded soldiers, and also for men going to the front. Many ere enrolled as members of a prospective branch of the Red Cross Society, with the object of taking a course of lectures and studies. At St. Mary’s Club rooms on August 4, a farewell social as tendered, to the eight members of St. Mary’s Football Club who have joined the Eighth Reinforcements. The present contingent made a total of 26 out of a possible 43. They were Messrs. A. Cranston, F.. Devine, M. McKendry, C. Brown, S. Geary, J. Lineen, E. Coe, and C. Carthy. All were present in uniform. The hall as tastefully decorated with evergreens and the national colors of the Allies. There was a crowded attendance, and speeches were given by the chairman (Mr. J. A. Hair), who apologised for the absence of the Very Rev. Dean Darby, and the president (Mr. P. Ryan), who were indisposed. Rev. Father Duffy eulogised their manly act in giving their services for King and country, and the support of their fellow-countrymen who had gone before. During the evening Rule Britannia,’ For they are . jolly good fellows,’ and God save the King’ were sung. A splendid supper was provided by an energetic committee of ladies. At St. Mary’s Club rooms the Men’s Club met on Thursday evening to debate the question : ‘ Are early marriages advisable?’ The following took part: —AffirmativeMessrs. C. Lafferty, T. Roach, and F. J. Pryor; negative Messrs. H. J. McMullen, LL.B., E. De Vining, McGarrigle, and M. H. McCarthy. Very Rev. Dean Darby presided, and Dr. P. Noonan was judge. The hall was well filled, ladies being in the majority. Mr. Rafferty led off in good style, and

did justice to the subject in the fifteen minutes allotted to him. Mr. H. J. McMullen delivered an able speech. Mr. Roach advocated the affirmative side in vigorous style. Mr. McGarrigle made out a good case for mature age and thought before marriage. Mr. s Pryor criticised'the views of his opponents, and made some good points, which were well received. - Mr. McCarthy also did very well. The judge having been called away at an early stage of the proceedings, Very Rev. Dean Darby acted in his place, and in his summing up gave judgment* for the affirmative side. In doing so he criticised the various speeches in an instructive and pleasing manner. The proceedings closed with votes of thanks to the speakers, the chairman, and judge.