FEDERATED CATHOLIC CLUBS

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XLIII, Issue 18, 4 May 1916, Page 22

FEDERATED CATHOLIC CLUBS

FIFTEENTH ANNUAL CONFERENCE.

The fifteenth annual conference of the Federated Catholic Clubs of New Zealand was opened at St. Patrick’s Hall, Boulcott street, Wellington, on Saturday, April 22 (says the New Zealand Times). The following were the representatives of the various clubs: —Auckland, Mr. R. Duignan,' St. Benedict’s (Auckland); Mr. Q. Lynch, St. John’s (Parnell), Mr. M. O’Kane, Karangahake; Mr. M. Krebs, Hamilton Mr. F. - Galvin, Wellington; Messrs. P. Gallagher and B. Leydon, St. Anne’s (Wellington “ South); Mr. J. Wickliffe, Christchurch; Messrs. W. J. Dobbs and P. J. Nelson, Timarli; Mr. T. Quinn, Ashburton; Mr, B. A. Guise, Greymouth; Mr. T.. H. Forster, St. Canice’s (Westport); Mr. J. Fagan, and federal executive; Messrs. G. Dee, M. O’Kane, F. Galvin, J. Fagan, E.- B. L. Reade, and T. H. Forster (hon.: secretary). -Apologies were received for the absence of his Grace Archbishop Redwood (president-general), his Grace Archbishop O’Shea, and Mr. J. L. Leydon (president), : !;■ " Mr. G. Dee (vice-president) occupied the chair throughout the morning session. ‘ - ‘ - , . ' -’ , ' . An address of welcome to . the visiting delegates was given most ably and sincerely by the spiritual director of, the society the Very Rev. Father J. O’Connell. . The rev. gentleman stated that, as spiritual director, he felt deeply interested in the work of the Catholic Clubs' of , New Zealand. • He was pleased to see the visitors, whose action in coming to Wellington -at “ a time like . the present showed that the interests of Catholic bodies had not- been lost by .the .present state of affairs owing to ;the depletion of .the officers of.•dribs 'due' 7 to enlistments. ■ He f, exhorted delegates to ; foster : Catholic Club ;life,in New Zealand by . deliberating . freely and sincerely on the , matters repre- j sented on the agenda paper. The speaker dwelt briefly .on y the aims and objects of Catholic Clubs. Thfey were like -| the Catholic Federation* they were endeavoring to : benefit the :Catholic men intellectually .and socially.-. Intellectually they ; were banded together to promote .faith in its highest /. possible form. v By good readings,' by debates and by meeting /together £ frequently . members overcome \ their " faults. Socially, by healthy recreations - which ■- are . a help .' both to v

the mind and physique. A mail " who plays the game arid is a; keen sport is one who is • looked ’up to in i the' intellectual sphere also. y- r; He ' hoped ; that the " deliberations would be successful, . and that they would all go back encouraged, and -in view -of : the -continuance 'of trie war; to; feel * that' by f having>j a greater T burden ;on their shoulders the effort required would 'be * greater l and worth the trouble' the more. The responsibility would : be thrown ; on to the individual more than in the past and the few who are left to carry on the work should do so cheerfully and' not be discouraged by temporary: difficulties. -V -' In conclusion,, he wished the delegates a pleasant stay. " ' ; f ■ Mr. Dee in reply thanked Very Rev. Father O’Connell for . his instructive and interesting address. A . good and reliable outline had been, made of the club’s welfare in New Zealand. ' The formation of new clubs was orie -of the most vital - questions 7 which the federal executive had to deal with, and he stated that if only six or seven men met they should form a debating society which should in a short time develop into a Catholic Club in all its branches. Mr/Dee extended to Father O’Connell the very best wishes of the conference and their heartiest appreciation 'of his attendance and - his educative and entertaining ' address of welcome. ' . ‘ v _ The annual report and balarice sheet came up for discussion, ' and on the motion of Mr. B. Leydon, seconded by Mr. W. J. Dobbs, were adopted. These papers showed a satisfactory position, considering the difficulties and hindrances created by the. war, owing, amongst other causes, to- enlistments and consequent withdrawals from the officers and members of clubs. The competitions, finance, Catholic Magazine,' and Catholic Social Guild course of study were all touched upon in the report. - . ' " Mr. Lynch, , seconded by Mr. Leydon, moved—' That the time allowed to speakers in the debating section of the shield contest be increased from five minutes for the first speaker and seven for the second speaker to seven and ten respectively’.’ . ■ . V-? The 0 conference here - adjourned at 12.45 and resumed at 7.15. ' ’ f ' ' . . ■ • - Mr. J. B. Leydon. (president of the federation) occupied the chair. The motion mentioned was discussed 3iiid earned. Mr. T. H. Forster, seconded by Mr. Lvnch, moved ‘-That copies of all corr°snondence of any nature from one affiliated club to another shall be forwarded through the federal ■ executive.’ This motion formed .the topic of considerable discussion, and was carried eventually. - Mr. T. H. Forster, seconded by Mr. M. J- Dunne, moved * That the competition for billiards in the shield contest be -100 up instead of SO in all rounds, except the final, which shall be 150 up instead of 100;’ This motion as carried unanimously. . . Mr. O’Kane (business manager of the Catholic Magazine) gave his official report on the working of that pane’ - since its republication in , August last. _ Eight issues had been issued and were satisfactorily edited and managed. He submitted to the meeting figure which explained financially the position, and gave a clear outline of the policy followed - with regard to publication, distribution, organisation, and advertising. _ _ ■ _ > Reports were received from Christchurch, St. Benedict’s, Ashburton, St. Anne’s, Timaru, / and Wellington These reports showed that in ; spite of difficulties, in some cases almost insurmountable, they had been overcome, and the position showed definite assurance of success. The secretary reported on all the branches 'of the working of the federation during the past year. . The position . was not to be underestimated. The Catholic, clubs of New Zealand, by the very reason of their loss of their best officers through enlistments and also the diversion of the minds of the people from the matters connected with clubs, had a most strenuous uphill fight before them. He urged all clubs to remodel their constitution and introduce new blood into their executives so that the places of the older members could be filled, and a training in essential knowledge imparted to the younger and new members. Mr. Forster offered various suggestions for delegates to convey to the executives of the clubs they represented. Mr. J. L. Leydon, in supporting the report of the previous speaker, dwelts briefly • also ■ on the works of the federation, and agreed with Mr. Forster in his remarks regarding the Catholic Magazine, competitions, and Catholic ’ Social Guild. He said a few words of' appreciation of Mr. Forster’s services as secretary, which position he adequately and . successfully, filled. The. thanks of the conference were undoubtedly due to him.. ’

■■, v" >; The ■ election ;of officers resulted ;as follows :President* general, his Grace Archbishop Redwood; president, Mr. E, B. L. Reade; vice-president, Mr. J. 1 Fagan; hon. secretary, Mr. -T. H. Forster; ■ hontreasurer, Mr. 'M. -Krebs; executive officers Messrs. G. Dee, J,L.. Leydon, and Rev. Brother Egbert. • ; i' ■ > ’ : It was decided’to hold the next annual conference •at Christchurch,', on the motion of - Messrs. Quinn and Forster. -

Mr. Forster,’ : seconded by Mr. Quinn, moved That this conference of the Federated Catholic Clubs of New Zealand desires to express its - sincere gratification and congratulations to his Lordship Bishop Brodie on his election to his present exalted position in the Christchurch diocese.’Carried. : " ■ : ‘ - ;

Mr. Quinn moved a hearty, vote of thanks to Mr. J. L. Leydon for presiding. He dwelt' upon the necessary qualifications of that officer'to'fill the position, ■ The desirability of mutual co-operation in extending the , membership of and participating 'in the work of the New Zealand Catholic Federation,, St. Vincent .do Paul Society, Catholic Seamen’s Conference, . H.A.C.B. Societies, and boys’ clubs, was affirmed. ’ - . \ . On the motion .of Mr. Forster, a vote of thanks was passed for the services of Messrs. M. O’Kane -and F. Galvin, outgoing officers. 1 \ ‘ ' A motion of condolence was passed in silence to the relatives of the late Mr. E. J. Fitzgibbon, a former officer and president of the. Federated Catholic. Clubs’ executive. Mr. Guise, seconded by Mr. P. J. Nelson, moved a hearty vote of thanks to Mr. T. H. Forster for' his work as secretary to the conference and the executive.—Carried. This closed the business' of the conference.

SHIELD CONTEST.

The competitions in the shield contest in tennis .and billiards were contested on Easter Saturday afternoon in the tennis court, Emmett street, and St. Anne’s Hall, ’ Green street, respectively. . The result of the tennis competition was:Mr. O’Connor (Christchurch), 1, Mr. H. F. O’Leary (Wellington) 2; and of the • billiards Mr. T. H. Forster (St. Anne’s) 1, Mr. O’Connor (Christchurch) 2. •r * Afternoon tea was given to those ■ present by some of the ladies of the parish at the'hall. r . . The elocutionary, debating, and religion „ sections of the contest ' were held in St. Anne’s Hall on Easter - Sunday night at . 8 o’clock. There was a good attendance of the public; The results were as follow: Elocution —Mr. Kevin Dillon (St, Anne’s)), ‘Marc Antony’s Speech,’ 1 ; Mr. Macdonald (Christchurch), ‘ Dagger Scene from Macbeth ,’ 2. ■ Debating—Messrs. P. J. Nelson and W. J. Dobbs ' (Christchurch), 1; Messrs. T. -H.. Forster and F. Galvin • (St. Anne’s), 2. Subject: ‘That the platform exercises a greater influence than the press.’ . The winners took the affirmative and the latter team the negative side. Religion—Mr. P. J. Nelson (Christchurch), ' Does the oresent war prove the ineptitude of Christianity?’ 1; Mr. J. Fagan (St. Anne’s), ‘What are indulgences?’' 2. The result of : the above competitions entitled the Christchurch Catholic Club to hold the shield till the next competitions. The points gained were 23, with St. _ Anne’s (17) next. . „ ■=.'>■ . ...... :v ' , Mr. E. B. .L. Reade, who presided, presented the shield to Mr. Dobbs, and explained the objects for which the contest was inaugurated. He expressed the wish that next year the Christchurch Club would be able worthily to defend it, and congratulated them on their brilliant

success." . - r , 1 / • Mr. Dobbs suitably replied, and remarked that he and his : co-representatives would always carry with them _ a pleasant remembrance of the Wellington Club’s hospitality and kindness. ' . • " . • j Supper was then partaken of by the competitors and audience, and a pleasant half-hour was thus spent. ‘ , Mr. P. J. O’Regan acted as judge in the elocutionary and debating sections,' and the Rev. Bro. Egbert in the religious section. • , ■ Among those present were the Rev.- Fathers Peoples and O’Connor and the Rev, Bro. Amelia