HIBERNIAN SOCIETY, WELLINGTON

New Zealand Tablet, 4 November 1915, Page 45

HIBERNIAN SOCIETY, WELLINGTON

.. (From our own correspondent.) . St. Patrick’s branch of- the Hibernian Society met on Monday evening, October 18, under the:presidency of Bro. J. P. McGowan, 8.P., at St. Patrick’s Halt 1 here was a large attendance of members, including the Very Rev. Father O’Connell, S.M., and Bro. G. J. Sellars, P.D.P. Notices of motion tabled at a previous meeting were moved, by , Bro. P. D. Hoskins Under the existing rules, representative conferences of delegates of branches - take place ' triennially. These meetings are movable, and are attended. by about 80 delegates. The amendment proposed to hold these conferences annually, and to rediice the expense of such conferences'it is proposed to make fifteen subdistricts with the right to elect one delegate- for 500 members or less over 500 members two delegates, but no more. This reduces-the representation from about 80 to 30, and it is claimed that a conference ot that number, whilst less expensive, is capable of legislating far better, as a large conference proves unwieldy, and experience teaches j that at such ; large meetings ; the principal work is relegated to a. committee, , whose deliberations are generally agreed do by the remainder of the conference. It is also, claimed . that . the fact of holding annual conferences must of necessity dispose of legislation more expeditiously than triennial meetbecause in the event of an annual conference postponing a measure to the next meeting one year only elapses, against three years if the same condition applied under the existing rules. Other motions tabled practically provided the necessary machinery for holding sub-district meetings and the appointment of subdistrict delegates. Provision is also made for placing the office of district deputy on a better status and the abolition of half-yearly district and branch meetings. A very important motion was that providing for the investment of the funeral fund in the cities of Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin. and Wellington. At the present time something like £14,000 district; funds/ including the funeral fund, which is consolidated, is invested in freehold security in Auckland. The motion tabled provides that, on the recommendation of the senior branch trustees in the cities named supported by the report of an independent valuer, the district trustees may advance money in the four, centres. The balance sheet for September quarter and quarterly report were presented and discussed. A roll of honor has been placed in the lodgeroom to remind members of their fallen confreres:, A motion of condolence with his Grace Archbishop ■ Redwood in . the loss he had sustained through the death of his brother, Mr. C. Redwood, was carried by the members in respectful silence. Owing to the war it was decided to forego the celebrating the forty-first anniversary of the branch. Bros. J. J. L. Burke and P. D. Hoskins were . appointed, to represent the society, at the Conference of Friendly Societies dealing with the demands made by the medical attendants for increased remuneration.