N.Z. CATHOLIC FEDERATION

New Zealand Tablet, 3 April 1919, Page 39

N.Z. CATHOLIC FEDERATION

CHRISTCHURCH DIOCESAN COUNCIL. >;, The monthly meeting of th»> diocesan executive was held on Tuesday, March 11, at St. Mary’s Presbytery, the Very Rev. Dean Regnault, S.M., presiding. Correspondence was received from Timaru enclosing cheque for £2O •®.' 6d, dues for half-year. The general secretary notified that the head office had been removed to Fletcher’s Buildogs, 4 Willis Street, Wellington, and cordially inviting members when visiting Wellington to call at the Federation office, when desired information and assistance will be readily rendered by the secretary. The president’s action m appointing the Rev. Father Peoples as a delegate to the Dominion Council meeting recently held in Dunedin, vide Mr. S. J. Ryan, who at the last moment was prevented from attending through illness, was endorsed. The secretary, on behalf of the delegates to the half-yearly meeting of the Dominion Council, gave a brief resume of the business transacted, touching principally on the discussions on educational matters, and also of the efforts taken by the meeting to bring about a uniform examination for the scholarships throughout the Dominion. He also spoke highly of the arrangements made for the visitation of the various diocesan institutions, and of the generous hospitality lavished on the visitors by all with whom they came in contact. Tho public meeting on the education question was a very fitting conclusion to the two days’ celebrations connected with the gathering, and proved a happy means of acquainting the public with our views on the question, the disabilities under which our system is carried on, also the enormous amount invested in educational buildings, and in the maintenance of the same. A very hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the members of the Dunedin council for their generous hospitality,- and to the delegates for their attendance at the meeting. The secretary reported that be bad visited Morven. Makikihi. and Waimate on Sunday, March 16, and bad addressed large meetings on the activities of the Federation, and also explained the scheme for Federation scholarships. He referred to the extraordinary increase in membership in the whole parish during the current year, and conveyed to Fathers Peoples and Stew art, and to the officers and members the appreciation of tho executive of the procress made, and of the interest displayed in Federation affairs; also of the fact of Waimate being the first parish in the diocese to .establish n scholarship, under similar conditions to tho Federation scholarships. Great interest was taken in the addresses, and votes of thanks were accorded the speaker in each district. The secretary was instructed to convey to Father Peoples the congratulations of the executive on the fine spirit displayed throughout the parish and thanks for his practical assistance in the scholarship movement. An invitation to visit the Lincoln parish at an early date was received.

WAIMATE BRANCH. Mr. F. J. Doolan, secretary of the Christchurch Diocesan Council, addressed a large audience in St. Patrick’s Hall, Waimate, on Sunday, March 16. The lecturer outlined and lucidly explained the Federation scholarship scheme. In the diocese of Christchurch (he said) only 40 boys were receiving education in Catholic secondary schools, whereas upwards of 400 girls were enjoying that privilege. Now, the attempt of the Federation was to remedy such a disproportion by offering two scholarships valued £35. tenable for three years. The above amount to be disbursed was dependable entirely on dues (Is) from each member of the Federation, hence an ample explanation was afforded as to how the money contributed was to be spent. This move on the part of the Catholic Federation was an inducement to a more elaborate scheme. There are 21 parishes in the diocese, and with a little organisation each could carry into effect a scholarship of its own. Should such become a realised fact, we would be building up a commonwealth of educated Catholic men who would be efficient leaders ,i n our great Catholic causes. In the course of his lecture the speaker referred to other important matters in connection with education. He complimented the local branch on its increase of membership during the year. A hearty vote of thanks, proposed by Mr. J. Sullivan and seconded by Mr. P. D. Hoare, was carried with great

applause.

WELCOME HOME TO FATHER O’BEIRNE At the commencement of the . Catholic concert at the. King’s Theatre, Carterton, on Monday evening, March 17, Mr. J. A. Hudson came forward on the stage with Father O’Beirne, who had that'day returned to Carterton after, just a year’s absence' to visit his own people in America and Ireland, and for health reasons. Mr. Hudson, on behalf of the Catholic community, extended to Father O’Beirne a hearty welcome. The period of his absence now seemed to be a short one, but it had been a very momentous time to many of them through the War and the influenza. The epidemic had carried off Father Cronin, who had succeeded Father O’Beirne at Carterton, and many other wellknown people, some 6000 in our small Dominion having succumbed to the disease. The priests and nuns of New Zealand had been among the first to do all they could to render aid to the sufferers. He was glad to welcome Father O’Beirne back amongst them alive and well, and ready to take up his work in the Wairarapa where he left it. (Enthusiastic applause.) Father O’Beirne, in warmly acknowledging the kindly welcome given him, expressed surprise at so many having been smitten by the influenza, but bad as it was, it was nothing to what had happened in America and in England, Ireland, and Scotland, particularly in Dublin mid Manchester. After referring to his visit toIreland. bather O’Bcirne said he was glad to be back, and would do his best amongst them.