N.Z. CATHOLIC FEDERATION

New Zealand Tablet, 17 October 1918, Page 22

N.Z. CATHOLIC FEDERATION

CHRISTCHURCH diocesan council. The monthly meeting of the diocesan executive was held on Tuesday, October 8. Dean Regnauit, S.M., presided, and the following members were present : Messrs. W. Hayward, W. llaliius, J. E. Doolan, J. McNamara, E. O’Rourke, 1. N. O'Boyle, and F. J. Doolan (secretary). Correspondence was received from Rev. T. llaurahan, Ahaura, stating that a branch would be re-opened there on Sunday, November 2. Replies were received from the Little River and Akaroa Patriotic Societies refusing assistance to the Field Service Fund ; and in view of the generosity of our people in both these districts to their local funds the replies were deemed most unsatisfactory. Mr. W. Hayward reported most favorably on his visit to Ha warden, where ho addressed the parishioners after Mass on Sunday, September 29. Much interest was displayed, and it is anticipated that this fine branch will still further increase its membership as a result of the visit. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded Mr. Hayward for his services. Very satisfactory returns for the past quarter were received from the following branches; —Akaroa, .£5 12s lid; Addington, £7 9s 2d ; Cathedral, £2B 19s 2d ; Fairlie, £9 8s 9d ; Morven, £5 14 a 2d; Methven, £2 18s 4d; Pleasant Point, £7 Ms 2d; Ross, 11s lid; St. Andrews, £6; Tpmuka, £l2 10s lOd. Donations to Field Service Fund: Grey mouth, £2O Is 3d; Pleasant Point, £l3 3s; Morven, £l3 9s 3d. Tauherenikau Hall Fund: St. ‘Andrews, £8 4s ; Fairlie, £ls 13s 6d. Many of the branches have already exceeded their total membership returns for last year, and the splendid efforts in the above parishes to increase their numbers were heartily commended. The diocesan secretary was appointed the representative of the Christchurch Diocesan Council on the newly constituted Dominion Executive. It was decided to circularise branches asking them to suggest

dates for the annual visits of members of. the executive. Hearty congratulations were extended to the Very Rev. chairman for the prominent part he had taken in the recent educational conference held at Canterbury College, and appreciation of the excellent paper on "Religion and Education" which he had read at the final session. The conference was composed of . representatives of all the educational bodies in the city, and the opportunity of addressing such a unique gathering on the principles of Catholic education was taken full advantage- of, the paper receiving a very cordial reception. The Dean, in returning thanks, stated that he had been approached by the chairman of the Canterbury Efficiency Board for a copy of the paper, and also for his opinion on various phases of the education question, the board having power to make suggestions to the Government on the question of greater efficiency in educational matters.