CATHOLIC FEDERATION

New Zealand Tablet, 28 October 1915, Page 36

CATHOLIC FEDERATION

WELLINGTON DIOCESAN COUNCIL. (From a correspondent.) The monthly meeting of the executive committee was held at St. Patrick's Hall, Boulcott street, on Wednesday, October 20. The Rev. Father Hurley presided in the preliminary stages, but, having' to retire, Mr. J. Duggan (vice-president) took the chair. Other members present were—Major Halpin, Messrs. R. Sievers, A. Cassie, J. Corry, and £he secretary (Mr. W. F. Johnson). The Westport parish committee wrote calling attention to the fact that certain teachers had been appointed to the local schools, while others, with superior qualifications, had been passed over, despite the fact that the latter had been strongly recommended by the Education Board Inspector. The secretary reported that he had brought the matter under the notice of the Minister of Education, who, while expressing regret that the better qualified applicants had not been appointed, stated that the committee had acted strictly in accordance with the Education Act. There had been no time to amend the law during the late session, but the matter would be kept in view for next session.

The Dannevirke parish committee wrote with further reference to the action of the High School Board of Governors authorising the reading of the Bible in school hours. The secretary reported that the Dominion Executive were in communication with the Education Department concerning this matter. The subcommittee appointed to deal with the women’s hostel reported that nearly the required number of guarantors had come forward, and it was hoped the list would be complete within a few days, and that the Board would be incorporated in about a week. Nearly .£9O had been subscribed or promised towards the furnishing fund, and suitable premises, in a most central locality, could be secured. The sub-committee made special reference to the work of the ladies of the C.I.C. for the amount of time and attention they had devoted to the business. The question of the payment of expenses of delegates to diocesan council meetings,, referred back to the executive by the last meeting of the council, was considered, and after some discussion it was resolved—- ‘ That a fund be instituted for the purpose of assisting delegates in the payment of their travelling expenses to council meetings, and that parish committees be requested to contribute to the best of their ability to such fund.’

A statement of receipts and expenses for the past quarter showed that the receipts on account of dues to the council for the period were £ll3 15s Bd, while the payments to the Dominion Council on account of contributions due amounted to £135 Is 7d, including the sum of £63 Os 8d outstanding on June 30. The sum of £22 had been subscribed to the Trentham hall building fund, whilst a sum of over £9 had been subscribed by Hastings for the purchase of requisites for the camp.

The matter of the History Readers in use in the public schools was brought up for consideration, and it was stated that most of these presented a distorted view of history relating to the Church. A reader known as the Abbey Reader (which had received the approval of Cardinal Gasquet) was in use at the schools of the London School Board. It was decided to bring this matter before the Dominion Executive.