Diocesan News

New Zealand Tablet, 22 January 1920, Page 22

Diocesan News

ARCHDIOCESE OF WELLINGTON , (From our own correspondent.) January 17. Rev. Father Barra, S.M., who recently returned from the Front, is now stationed temporarily at St. Joseph's, Buckle Street, relieving Father O'Connor, S.M., who is on holiday leave. By the will of the late Mr. Louis Tasman Reichcl, the Wellington Catholic Education Board has been bequeathed 100 shares in the Reichel Automatic Fire Alarm Syndicate. Great regret is felt by the parishioners of St. Joseph's, Buckle Street, in losing the services of their esteemed clergy, Rev. Fathers Hurley, S.M., and O'Connor, S.M., who are retiring in consequence of the parish being handed over to the secular clergy for administration. The destination of Fathers Hurley and O'Connor, and the names of their successors, have not yet been announced. The first meeting of the St. Patrick's Day Celebration Committee took place last Thursday evening, Mr. J. P.' McGowan presiding. The Rev. Father Smyth, S.M., Adm., was present. The following officers were appointed:—Patron, his Grace Archbishop Redwood; president, his Grace Archbishop O'Shea; chairman, Mr. J. P. McGowan ; treasurer, Mr. J. J. L. Burke; general secretary, Mr. P. D. Hoskins; assistant secretary, Mr. F. Whitaker. Other - necessary appointments will bo made at the next meeting, to bo held on January 29. Mr. M. J. Reardon, who recently returned from a holiday visit to America, enjoyed the'distinction of spending some time with Eamon de Valera, chosen leader of the Irish people, and had tho privilege of conversing with the Irish leader when the latter received the historical message from .the Australasian Irish Race Convention. Mr. Reardon said that Mr. de Valera was greatly excited, and of course greatly pleased with the message. He expressed himself as deeply grateful to his fellow-countrymen in Australasia for. their loyal support. As the Convention was not talked of prior to Mr. Reardon's departure from New Zealand, he was not able when questioned to tell President de Valera any details in connection with it, except to supply him with the very meagre information contained in the New Zealand papers which had been sent to him during his sojourn in America. Mr. Reardon informed the Irish leader of the resolution carried by the Irishmen of Wellington at tho last St. Patrick's Day concert here, and Mr. de Valera was very pleased to learn of it. He also assured Mr. de Valera of a warm welcome should he visit this city. Mr. Reardon had also the privilege in San Francisco of occupying a seat on the platform where the Irish leader addressed over 15,000 people, and was accorded a magnificent reception. The meeting was addressed by Archbishop Hanna, Mr. Gallagher, and Father Yorke. As a speaker, Mr. de Valera did not aim at oratory. He spoke as if he had to convince an audience unsympathetic with the cause ho advocated, and placed the facts why Ireland must have self-determination in a plain and most convincing manner. Mr. Reardon is satisfied that there is a great unanimity amongst the American people to stand solid and support Ireland in her claim for selfdetermination. BERNIAN SOCIETY. The 10th annual meeting of St. Patrick's branch (No. 95) of the Hibernian Society was held last Monday evening at the society's rooms, Willis Street, Wellington. Bro. J. P. McGowan presided. The secretary presented the annual returns required by the Government, which disclosed that notwithstanding the hampering of the activities of friendly societies through the war and the heavy expenditure* caused by the influenza epidemic, the society showed promise of progress. The society lost five members through death during the year, and £IOO was paid out on their behalf. The sum of £321 was paid as sick pay, £9G was remitted to the District Consolidated Funeral Fund, and £3B to the. District Supplementary Consolidated Sick Fund. The latter fund was established in 1913, and tho Wellington branch had contributed £299 to that fund since its inauguration. There has been no direct representative New Zealand district meeting since 1913, owing to the Mar, and the Wellington members are anxious to have one in the very near future in order to bring about amendments to tho constitution which will raise the society to the highest place in friendly society matters. Amongst

the remits which have been sent forward for discussion : is the substitution of annual meetings for triennial meetings, and for this purpose New Zealand has been divided into 15 groups, in order to reduce the expenses attached to annual meetings, the raising of the extra death benefit from £SO to £IOO, so as to make the amount payable at death £l2O to those who wish to provide that amount, and the consolidation of the sick fund. The society has engaged in many activities during the year by assisting Catholic education and holding social reunions amongst its members. A start has been made in tho formation of an Irish War Pipe Band, and a committee has been formed to go into the ways and means of acquiring a hall. The society was also represented at the Irish Race Convention. The election of officers for the ensuing term resulted as follows: —President, Bro. M. J. Cleary; vice-president, Bro. J. Clarke; treasurer, Bro. J. J. L. Burke warden, Bro. P. J. O'Neill; guardian, Bro. J. Taylor; sick visitors, Bros. M. Condon and J. J. Troy. The newly-elected officers were installed by the retiring president, Bro. J. P. McGowait.