N.Z. CATHOLIC FEDERATION

New Zealand Tablet, 19 June 1919, Page 22

N.Z. CATHOLIC FEDERATION

;; ; CHRISTCHURCH DIOCESAN COUNCIL. ~;.._.. The monthly meeting of the executive of the Christchurch Diocesan Council was held on June 10 at St. Mary's Presbytery, the Very Rev. Dean Regnault, S.M., presiding. There was an excellent attendance of members. Mr. W. Hayward reported on the very satisfactory nature of the visit to Darfield, and of the great progress and interest taken in : Federation affairs in that parish. lie also referred in terms of appreciation of the work of the parish secretary, Mr. P. Morrison, and of the generous hospitality extended to the delegation by Father J. Hanrahan, parish priest. The secretary was instructed to. convey to Father Hanrahan. the warm appreciation of the executive for his valued services. Mr. F. J. Doolan referred to his attendance at the annual meeting of St. Mary's parish committee on Sunday last, making special mention of a competition recently held among the school children for prizes given by the committee for an essay on the Federation. Judging by the one awarded the first prize, which was read at the meeting, a thorough knowledge of the subject was clearly shown, and the movement is one worthy of imitation throughout the diocese. Several remits were received and wore ordered to be placed on the. agenda paper for the consideration of the annual meeting of the diocesan council, to be held on Tuesday, July 15. The report of the conference of the head teachers of Catholic colleges and secondary schools, recently held in Wellington, dealing with scholarship examinations, was received and favorably commented upon, and will be finally adopted at the annual meeting. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the Very Rev. C. Graham, S.M.. M.A., Rector of St. Bede's College, who attended the conference as representative of this diocese. The secretary reported having attended a meeting of the Dominion Executive on May 31, and gave a detailed account of the business transacted. His remarks on the educational policy, scholarship examinations, arrangements made for Federation Sunday (July 6), and of business dealt with in connection with the Field Service Fund, met with the warm approval of the meeting. A financial statement covering the past three months was read by the treasurer showing receipts £42 3s sd, and expenditure in hand. Last year's membership has been exceeded, and the scholarship fund is now in credit to the extent of £to, this announcement being received with applause. At the conclusion of the meeting an acknowledgment was made to the Very Rev. chairman for the very comfortable meeting-room provided . during the past twelve months, and for the warm welcome and hospitality extended to members on all occasions, tho Dean suitably replying.

TIMA RLT BRANCH.. On June 4, tho annual meeting of parishioners in connection with .the Catholic Federation was held in the Browne Street, Hall, which was filled to the doors. Very Rev. Dean Tubman (president) occupied the chair, and congratulated Father Bartley, to whose zeal the exceptionally large and enthusiastic gathering had responded. On the motion of Very Rev. Dean°Tubman. Father Bartley was elected president for the ensuing year. I lie report and balance sheet for 1918-19 were read and adopted. / Father Bartley, ex-chaplain with the Expeditionary Force, gave an interesting account of the means of distributing the Field Service Funds in the trenches, showing that they filled a very real want among the soldiers, and moreover that they reached their destination in their entirety, nothing whatever being deducted for administration etc. as was the case with other'funds, ’ Father Bartley.. went on to urge on those present the need for renewed acL °n the part of . the Catholic Federation, in view Lri t,.e bitter campaign which is now bsjng wa°ed inanity on our education system. ' ’

aa :, Dr - ; J- R Loughnan (vice-president) outlined the *ederatiou >; scholarship scheme,, which , : undoubtedly should i claim the generous support':,- of '; every if ederationist. - : :■ -.-. .;; : • -,7 .. J o. Messrs. T. Cronin, M. J. O'Brien, and J. P. Lei<di also addressed the meeting, emphasising the need for increased membership, and urging the people to exercise their franchise rights. The election of parish representatives resulted as follows:—President,. Rev. Father hartley ; secretary, Mr. J. P. Leigh; treasurer, Mr. T. Crouin; committee, Dr. J.R.Loughnan, Messrs M. J. OBnen W. Gillespie, A. McDonald,. P. Downey, and Sergeant Egan. . J . .