CATHOLIC FEDERATION

New Zealand Tablet, 30 September 1915, Page 29

CATHOLIC FEDERATION

/: PONSONBY. , : >-v - The monthly meeting of the Ponsonby branch "of the Catholic Federation was held on Sunday evening, September 5, after devotions, Rev. Father Murphy presiding over a good attendance of members. Arrangements were made for an immediate canvass of the parish to secure new members. Valuable prizes were donated for the essay competition on the aims and objects of the Catholic Federation, which it is proposed to hold in the primary schools of the parish. Rev. Brother George, of the Sacred Heart College, has been asked to act as judge for the essays. A fine assortment of Catholic Truth Society pamphlets has been received, and can now be obtained from a cabinet erected in the church. A sub-committee was set up to consider the establishment of a debating society for the men and women of the parish. Motions were passed expressing appreciation of the action of those Members of Parliament who spoke out recently against the attacks made through the press on the loyalty of the Irish people, specially worded letters being forwarded to Mr. Hornsby, who was the first to raise the question, and to Mr. C. H. Poole, member for this electorate, who supported the protest. The following is the letter forwarded to Mr. Hornsby: ‘ Dear Sir, —I have been instructed by the Ponsonby branch of the N.Z. Catholic Federation to congratulate thank you for the fearless- manner in which you denounced, from the highest court in the land, the unpardonable mishandling of cables by journalistic novices, purposely concocted, as you rightly say, to warp public opinion against Ireland’s loyalty and part in the present war. At a time when the Irishmen of Ireland and the Dominions are making such sacrifices for the common cause, and have rallied to the flag and Empire with an enthusiasm and valor that have won unstinted praise from their King, it is regrettable that anyone with a pretence to loyalty and patriotism should stoop to such unscrupulous methods to besmirch the honored name of Britain’s most loyal sons, and the act of chivalry, which prompted you to defend them against the attacks of insidious bigots, will be gratefully remembered by every son of Erin in this country, and appreciated by all true Britishers.’ DOMINION COUNCIL. (From our Wellington correspondent.) The report in last week’s issue of the Dominion Council meeting in regard to the election of officers contains a slight inaccuracy in showing all the members of the Dominion Council as vice-nresidents. The following is a correct list:—President, Mr. D. L. Poppelwell (Dunedin) ; vice-presidents—Very Rev. Dean Power (Wellington), Very Rev. Dean Hyland (Christchurch), Mr. A. Rose (Auckland) ; hon. treasurer, Rev. Father Hurley, S.M., Adm. The members of the Dominion Executive are the Very Rev. Dean Regnault, S.M., Messrs. J. J. L. Burke, B. Ellis, P. D. Hoskins, L. T. Reichel, R. Sievers, and M. Walsh, with, the Rev. Father Hurley, by virtue of his office as Dominion treasurer, and Messrs. W. F. Johnson and J. Duggan as members of the Dominion Council resident in Wellington as ex officio members. AUCKLAND DIOCESAN COUNCIL. The monthly meeting of the diocesan executive of the Catholic Federation was held on September 6, when there were present— A. * Rose (president), Right Rev. Mgr. Brodie, V.G., Messrs. Temm, Hanson, Fitzgerald, and Dromgool. Mr. Fitzgerald, on behalf of the Auckland delegates to the Dominion Council meeting, presented a comprehensive report of the proceedings, and gave an interesting account of the good work done. On the motion of Mr. Temm, seconded by Mr. A. Rose, a -hearty vote of thanks was accorded the delegates to the Dominion Council meeting. On the motion of Mr. A. Rose, seconded by Mr., Fitzgerald, it was resolved ' that Mr, Woods be appointed honorary

auditor to the diocesan council; for : the ensuing year. y The question of instituting an ■ organising campaign • throughout the various parishes >of the diocese,: with a view to stirring into activity those branched which are becoming dilatory in the conduct of their affairs, was introduced by the secretary (Mr. P. E. Dromgool), and' it was resolved that Messrs.’ Pose, Fitzgerald, and V Dromgool be appointed a sub-committee to formulate a definite scheme, and to report at a special meeting of the executive to be convened prior to the next monthly meeting. It was resolved that a vote of £lO be made to the Trentham hall funds, and that immediate steps be taken to liquidate Auckland’s share of the balance of the deficit. - A special meeting of the diocesan executive was held on September 15, when there were present Mr. A. Rose (president), Messrs. Fitzgerald, Hanson, Dromgool, and Temm. The secretary (Mr. P. E. Drqm- ' gool) explained that he had. called the meeting, at short notice, in order to consider the advisability of requesting Mr. F.. G. J. Temm, who was on holiday leave, to devote a portion of his time to the work of reorganising some of the outlying branches of the Federation. Mr. Temm, who was present at the meeting, stated that he would be pleased to devote a portion of his time during the next three weeks to the work of furthering the interests of the Federation. It was decided to accept Mr. Temm’s offer. . ' TE AWAMUTU. ■’ (From our own correspondent.) September 25. Mr. F. G. J. Temm, treasurer of the Diocesan Council of the Catholic Federation and member of -the executive, visited Te Awamutu on September 22 for the purpose of forwarding the objects of the Federation. In the evening he addressed a meeting of the local branch. Representatives were present from Te Awamutu, Kihikihi, and Ohaupo. Rev. Father Lynch presided, and introduced Mr. Temm, who delivered a very forcible and interesting address. He reviewed the great work accomplished by the Federation, in various countries, its introduction into New Zealand by his Lordship Bishop Cleary, and what it had done in this Dominion. At the conclusion of the address, which was listened to with rapt attention, Mr. C. O’Brien moved a hearty vote of thanks to Mr. Temm, remarking that Mr. Temm, instead of spending his holidays for his own advantage and pleasure, was devoting them to the furtherance of the interests of the Federation by visiting its various branches throughout the diocese, which'* devotion and sacrifice, he said, should inspire every Catholic in the diocese to become an active member of the organisation. The motion was seconded by Mr. J. Decoeur, and supported by Messrs P. McDerry and C. Edwards. The audience, though not large, was unanimous in its appreciation. Rev. Father Lynch stated that he would in future devote a month yearly to the work of enrolling members of the Federation, and that the most favorable time in this parish was November. TE KXJITI. (From our own correspondent.) September 20. During the week Mr. Temm, Auckland, paid a visit to Te Kuiti for the purpose of forming a branch of the Catholic Federation here. A well attended meeting was held in the church, ; and Mr. Temm gave a very interesting address on the good work done by the Federation, and explained very clearly the absolute necessity for such an organisation. A very hearty vote of thanks was accorded Mr. Temm for his eloquent and instructive address. At" the conclusion of Mr. Temm’s remarks a meeting was held, and a branch of the Federation formed, with a strong working committee. Owing to the . unavoidable absence of the Rev. Father Finn, both meetings were presided over by Mr. D. Sheehan.