Ashburton

New Zealand Tablet, 21 October 1915, Page 35

Ashburton

(From our own correspondent.) Owing to Mr. F. Brophy enlisting with the -Expeditionary Forces, He resigned his position as secretary of the local branch of the Hibernian Society. ■ Mr. T. Purcell was unanimously elected to the position as secretary of the branch. Happily the long continued drought in the Ashburton County has now broken, and although much more rain than has already fallen is theless the harvest prospects are now a good deal brighter than some time ago, while there is every prospect of an abundance of feed in the county. The first quota of Ashburton men for the Ninth Reinforcements left for Trentham on Wednesday evening. About forty recruits paraded at the Drill Hall prior to entraining, where they were hospitably entertained to a splendid repast, kindly provided by Mrs. J. Farrell, a prominent member of our Catholic community. The Rev. Father O'Donnell was asked and acceded to a request to address the men prior to their departure from Ashburton.

Under the auspices of the local Hibernian Society a social was tendered to Messrs. F. Brophy and P. Fa hey (two of the Hibernian Society members) prior to their departure for Trentham to join the Reinforcements. There was a large attendance of members and friends. Mr. J. A. Lennon (president of the branch) occupied the chair. Progressive euchre formed the first part of the evening's entertainment, the prizes for the same being won by Miss A. Madden and Mr. F. .Hanrahan. During a break in the proceedings the Rev. Father O'Donnell, in a nicely worded and characteristic speech, presented the guests of the evening with a set of military brushes in case, with same conveying the best wishes from their fellow Hibernians for their safe return to New Zealand. Messrs. Lennon, McSherry, F. Hanrahan, Burgess, and Cooper followed with eulogistic speeches, one and all speaking most eulogistically of the guests of the evening. The ■recipients of the presentations, Messrs. Brophy and Fahey, feelingly replied. A musical programme was gone through, the following contributing:—Mrs. F. llanrahan, Miss Cullen, Messrs. Tansey, Burgess, Fitzgerald, and F. Hanrahan. Supper was handed round by the ladies, and much appreciated. A highly successful gathering terminated with the singing of ' Auld lang syne ' and cheers for the departing soldiers.

The annual general meeting of the Ashburton Catholic Club was largely attended, Mr. J. A. Lennon presiding. The report and balance sheet, which showed the club's position to be sound financially and otherwise, were adopted as read. The following were elected officers for the ensuing years:President, Mr. E. McSherry ; vice-president, Mr. R. Nealon ; treasurer, Mr. S. Madden; hon. secretary, Mr. E. Lennon; librarian, Mr. F. Lennon; council— J. A. Lennon, T. Purcell, T. M. Brophy, J. McAloon, and E. Devlin; auditors, Messrs. W. J. Cunningham and F. K. Cooper. On the motion of Messrs. Cooper and Moriarty, a hearty vote of thanks was accorded the outgoing officers. The annual reunion customary after the election of officers took place on Wednesday evening, October , 6, the same proving as enjoyable as its predecessors. A choice spread was provided. The toast-list drawn up and gone through was as follows : 'The Pope and King,' proposed by the president; ' Kindred societies,' by Mr. J. McAloon, and responded to by Mr. J. Lennon ; ' The clergy,' proposed by Mr. M. Moriarty; ' The Army, Navy, and Allies,' by Mr. D. McDonnell; ' Past-presidents,' proposed by the president, and responded to by past presidents; The boys in camp and at the front,' by Mr. F. K. Cooper; 'lreland, a nation,' by Mr. V. McAnulty;

x ;:'.' The chairman,' proposed by.. Mr. ,J. Lennon ; ' The f press/ by Mr. T. M. Brophy, and responded to by Mr. M. Moriarty; 'The ladies,' proposed by: Mr. R. Nealon, and replied to by Mr. T. Purcell. The follow- ! ing programme of musical and other item's was gone through—songs, Miss Hicks and Messrs. T. M. Brophy and J. McCormick; recitations, Messrs. F. K. Cooper and J. Lennon. Mrs. D. Crowe played the accompaniments. The singing of the National Anthem r brought a very pleasant evening to a close.'•'