N.Z. CATHOLIC FEDERATION

New Zealand Tablet, 4 March 1920, Page 39

N.Z. CATHOLIC FEDERATION

CHRISTCHURCH DIOCESAN COUNCIL HALF-YEARLY MEETING. Tlig half-yearly meeting of the Christchurch Diocesan Council of the Catholic Federation was opened at the Catholic Hall, Temuka, on Tuesday evening, January 27, and concluded on the following .morning. The president, Very Rev. J. A. Kennedy, D.D., presided, and the various parish committees were represented by the following delegates : Cathedral (Christchurch), Very Rev. Dr. Kennedy and Mr. J. R. Hayward; Ashburton, Very Rev. J. J. Dean O’Donnell, V.G., and Mr. M. Burgess; Fairlie, Rev. A. Galerne, S.M., and Mr. , D. Angland; Lincoln, Rev. D. Loan; Little River, Miss M. O. Cassidy; Morven, Messrs. J. Tangney, P. Hanley, and P. Cooney; Makikihi, Messrs. N. Geany and Al. Earl; Rangiora, Mrs. Blake and Air. J. Catherwood; St. Mary’s (Christchurch North), Very Rev. P. Dean Regnault, S.M., Miss Al. M. Callaghan, and Mr. Kelly; St. Andrews, Air. J. O’Connor; Temuka, Revs. F. Kerloy, S.M., and R. Hoare, S.M., Messrs. T. Knight and P. Hally; Timaru, Alessrs. J. O’Brien and M. Hyland; AA’aimate, Rev. AV. Peoples, S.AI., Alessrs. AI. Lyons and Al. Leonard; executive officials, Air. AA T . Hayward (treasurer) and Air. F. J. Doolan (diocesan secretary). Apologies for absence were received from his Lordship tho Bishop, Very Rev. Dean Hyland, Rev. Fathers Aubry, S.AI., and Creed, and Air. T. Cahill. A number of visitors also attended the meeting. In welcoming the delegates the A’cry Rev. president expressed satisfaction at tho excellent attendance. Referring to the business transacted during the' past half-year, he thanked those forming tho executive for their assistance in promoting the interests of the Federation, which was never in a better position than at present. Air. T. Knight (secretary of the local committee) was appointed minute secretary for the meeting. The secretary read the executive’s report, which dealt with the extension of .the Federation in several parishes, increase of membership, parochial visits. Dominion Council meeting. Federation scholarships. Irish Race Convention. etc., and concluded with the following appreciative reference to the A./. Tuhlrl : —“Ate desire to express to the management ot the Tohlrt our appreciation of he excellent manner in which Federation affairs have berm dealt with in the columns of that paper, and also our thanks for the very liberal space allotted to our reports of executive and other meetings.” An animated discussion ensued on the conditions of the scholarships, and on the small number of parishes visited. Satisfactory explanations were made on these points by the chairman. Afany of tho delegates expressed warm approval of tho success of the scholarship scheme generally, and of the recent examinations. The examiners’ reports were read, and their work highly commended. The treasurer presented a statement of accounts, which showed a record balance to credit. A substantial sum was also shown to have been invested in a satisfactory manner. Tho membership enrolments showed an increase of 2000 as against the, corresponding period of the previous year. This splendid record had been mainly the means whereby the fine surplus was produced, and had also created the keen competition throughout the diocese in the provision of funds for tho furtherance of the scholarships movement. After an adjournment for refreshments, provided by the ladies of the parish, reports from parish committees were read. Afost of these showed increased membership—several as high as 100 per cent. ; St. Alary s, Christchurch, was shown to be the strongest, numerically, with AVaimate and Timaru in tho order named. The diocesan secretary, in moving tho adoption of the reports, paid a tribute to tho excellent woi’k of the various parish. officials, and their muchvalued co-operation with the executive. To this (he said) could mainly bo attributed tho splendid results shown not alone in the general activities of tho Federation, but especially in matters of secondary education.' Several other speakers endorsed the secretary’s remarks.. A remit suggesting an alteration in the election of parish committees was discussed at length, and it was finally decided that tho present rule should not be interfered with. Before resuming business next morning a special Alass was celebrated by tho Very Rev. Dean Regnault, S.AI., in the presence of the delegates, and a large number of parishioners, and tho Very Rev. Dr. Kennedy addressed the congregation on the work of the Federatioil. A remit from St. Mary’s Committee dealing with the question of establishing a hoys’ hostel in Christchurch or the providing of accommodation in private homes, was considered. A lengthy discussion ensued, all agreeing as to the necessity of such an undertaking. The question was ultimately left to the executive to report on at the

next meeing. A further remit from the same committee was also very favorably criticised, ■ and referred to the executive for consideration. • Very Rev. Dean Regnault, -in an interesting speech, put forward several suggestions in the interests of the Catholic body throughout the Dominion, and moved that these matters be referred to the Dominion Executive for their consideration. Several , speakers warmly supported the mover, and the council’s representative was instructed to bring these matters up at the next meeting. Votes of thanks were accorded to the Very Rev. chairman, to Father Kerley for the excellent provision made for the meeting, and to Mr. Knight for valued services, and a very successful ' conference terminated. In the afternoon the visitors were the guests of the local committee to a motor tour of the Geraldine, Waituki, and Pleasant Point districts.