CATHOLIC FEDERATION

New Zealand Tablet, 10 August 1916, Page 39

CATHOLIC FEDERATION

WELLINGTON DIOCESAN COUNCIL. The annual meeting of the Wellington Diocesan Council of the Catholic Federation co.-umenced on the morning of Wednesday, July 19, at St. Patrick's Hall, Boulcott street. The Rev. Father Hurley, S.M., vicepresident, was in the chair, and the following representatives of parish committees were present: —Dannevirke, Miss Ryan; Feilding, Mr. J. P. Kavanagh; Hastings, Rev. Father McDonnell, Mr. Dennett; Hawera, Mr. L. O. Hooker, Mr. James Bartlett; Levin, Mrs. R. A. MacDonald Hamua, Mr. J. Dougherty, Mr. Dennehy; Napier, Major Halpin, Mr. Keenan; Nelson, Rev. Father Bartley; Petone, Rev. Father Quealy; Pahiatua, Mr. E. Sullivan, Mr. J. J. Beach; Wanganui, Mr. W. Luxford; St. Anne's, Wellington, Ven. Archdeacon Devoy, S.M., Mr. J. E. Gamble, Mr. P. D. Hoskins; St. Gerard's, Mr. W. F. Johnson; St. Mary's, Very Rev. Father O'Connell, S.M., Mr. McKeowen, Mr. McPhee; St. Joseph's, Rev. Father Hurley, S.M., Miss A. Wheeler, Mr. W. Gamble; Thorndon, Rev. Father Smyth, S.M., Mr. R. Sievers, Mr. M. Walsh; Woodville, Mr. G. H. Redwood, Mr. D. J. Leahy; Waipawa, Mr. J. Duggan; Wairoa, Major Halpin. His Grace Archbishop Redwood briefly addressed the council, and wished its deliberations every success. His Grace read a most interesting letter from his Lordship Bishop Cleary, giving an account of his journey through America and on to Italy. His Grace concluded by giving the Federation his best blessing and support. His Grace Archbishop O'Shea then addressed the council, making general reference to the success the Federation had achieved during the past year. The membership in the diocese had greatly increased, and his Grace was pleased to see that the clergy in most parishes in the diocese were taking an active and earnest interest in its welfare. His Grace also referred to the success of the several activities of the Federation, such as the establishment of a hostel, etc., and was pleased to see that proposals were made to give the members of the council a little more opportunity for meeting each other away from business. The annual report, which was published in our issue of July 13, was then adopted. The treasurer's report showed a substantial balance, despite the fact that owing to the alteration of date of the financial year members were granted eighteen months' membership at the cost of one year's subscription. Many of the country parishes had done exceedingly well, and in some cases had more than doubled their membership since the date of the last returns. The Catholic Immigration Committee reported that oversea vessels have been met in every case, and new arrivals were made welcome and given every assistance.The Women's Hostel Board reported that the expectations of its founders had been greatly exceeded, and that it was difficult to find accommodation at the hostel for all who desired to avail themselves of it. The treasurer of the Hostel Board reported that contributions of £5 5s had been received from Archbishop O'Shea and Mr. E. Sullivan, Pahiatua. -Considerable attention was given to the subject of organisation, and it was agreed that every encouragement be given to parish committee members to visit other committees and to place before the members the necessity for organisation and combination. In this direction it was suggested that the archdiocese might well be divided into smaller areas, having interests more in common, somewhat on the lines of the old provincial boundaries. The report of the Education Department for the past year came under review, and it was agreed that the figures contained in that report be placed before every parish committee in the archdiocese. -.«*.;» A vote of condolence with Mr. Cassie — a member of the council— the loss of a member of his family was agreed to, .and the secretary was directed to con-

vey the sympathy of the council to that gentleman. The following officers were elected: —President, his Grace Archbishop Redwoodj vice-presidents, Rev. Father Hurley, S.M., and Mr. J. Duggan (re-elected); hon. secretary, Mr. W. F. Johnson; treasurer, Major Halpin (both re-elected) ; executive committee Messrs. R. Sievers, J. E. Gamble, T. J. McCosker, P. D. Hoskins, M. Walsh, A. Cassie, J. Corry, J. P. Kavanagh and W. Luxford. The Very Rev. Dean Power and Messrs. Duggan and Walsh were elected to represent Wellington at the Dominion Council, and Messrs. Sievers and Corry were re-elected auditors.