HIBERNIAN SOCIETY, CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, 22 June 1916, Page 15

HIBERNIAN SOCIETY, CHRISTCHURCH

(From our own correspondent.^ The Hibernian Hall has been the scene of many happy gatherings of late, and one more memorable function was added to the list on Thursday evening, June 8, when Bro. M. Grimes, the popular secretary of St. Patrick's Branch of the H.A.C.B. Society, and Mrs. Grimes were the recipients of handsome presentations from the members and .their lady friends. The popularity and esteem in which Bro Grimes is held amongst Christchurch Hibernians were evidenced by the large attendance at the complimentary euchre party and social given in his honor. Always courteous and obliging, Bro. Grimes has endeared himself to all, and the-presentation made to him was a fitting evidence of the esteem in which he is held not only by his fellowmembers of the Hibernian Society, but by the Catholics of Christchurch in general. During his long connection with the Hibernian Society he has taken the deepest interest in its working. He has passed through all the offices in St. Patrick's branch. Since his appointment as secretary, the branch has advanced by leaps and bounds, and can now lay claim to being the premier branch in New Zealand. On several occasions, when questions of vital importance to the working of the society were on the agenda paper for the district meeting, he has been chosen to represent his branch. Bro. Grimes is always prominent in the advancement of the various Catholic bodies in the city. He is a member of the schools' committee, th-3 Catholic Club, the Marist Brothers' Old Boys' Association, and the executive of the Celtic Club. ITe is also secretary to the United Friendly Societies' Council of Canterbury, and holds a seat on the committee of the United Friendly Societies' Dispensary Board. At the presentation function, the chair was occupied by Bro. James Curry (president), and amongst those present were Rev. Father' Long (chaplain), and Rev. Brothers Anselm and Anastasius. The president said that they had assembled to do honor to a good worker, and energetic officer of the Hibernian Society, their worthy secretary (Bro. Grimes).' He (the president) had known Bro. Grimes since he was initiated a member of the society, and he could bear testimony to the splendid work done by him for the Church, the society, and the schools. He filled the office of secretary to St. Patrick's branch with credit to himself and benefit to the branch, and he (the president) wished to pay a personal tribute to the capabilities of Bro. Grimes as a secretary. To Mrs. Grimes, also, he wished to pay a tribute for the deep interest she had taken in the branch, and the ready and willing help she had always given in social matters connected with it. ■- ; Rev..Father,Long, in presenting Bro. Grimes with an artistically finished writing bureau, and Mrs. Grimes

with an easy chair, said that he esteemed it an honor to bestow a compliment of any shape on those who deserved it, but he was particularly honored at being asked to make this .presentation which was subscribed for by a great portion of the members in the parish and some outside it, and, speaking on their behalf, he had very much pleasure in asking Pro. Grimes to accept this bureau and Mrs Grimes the chair. It was unnecessary to detail further than the chairman had done the various good qualities of Pro. Grimes. In Pro. Grimes St. Patrick’s branch had a secretary to whose sterling good qualities and careful management, he was sure, was due the success which had been attained in recent years by the society in Christchurch. At the same time, however, Pro. Grimes could hardly have been so successful if he had not been supported by a very able coadjutor in Mrs. Grimes. He was sure that in future when Pro. Grimes would sit at the bureau, he would prize it, and so would Mrs. Grimes, being an expression of good wishes of the members, and of the high esteem in which they were held. Pro. Grimes, who was received with loud applause, said that no words of his would convey what he felt towards his friends for the beautiful presentations made to himself and Mrs. Grimes. Mention had been made of his work in connection with the society, which, no doubt, at times had been strenuous, but if his efforts had given the same satisfaction as it afforded him pleasure to carry on the work, he was amply repaid. He had always been ably assisted in his work by his fellow-members, and the friendships he had formed in

the society were something which he hoped would last. They had given Mrs. Grimes and himself these' two beautiful presents, which would always remind them of the friends they had made in and around Christchurch.

A musical and elocutionary programme was then given, songs being contributed by Miss E. Moloney and Mrs. Howard, a musical monologue by Mr. P. Smythc, and recitations by Mr. J. Noonan.