Hibernian Golden Jubilee

New Zealand Tablet, Volume L, Issue 37, 20 September 1923, Page 23

Hibernian Golden Jubilee

ST. PATRICK'S BRANCH, CHRISTCHURCH.

1873—1923. (From our own correspondent.)

A red letter day in the annals of Hibernianism in New Zealand was the banquet to celebrate the occasion of the Golden Jubilee of the establishment of St. Patrick's branch (No. 82), Christchurch, held in the Hibernian Hall, Barbadoes Street, on Monday evening, September 11.

The chair was occupied by the president (Bro. E. Fitzgerald), and there were present his Lordship Bishop Brodie, Rev. Fathers Hanrahan, O'Connell, ' O'Connor, Eecleton, O'Hare, O'Meeghan, Joyce, and Quinn ; Bro. J. J. Marlow (District Deputy for Otago and Southland) ; the president of the Wellington branch (Bro. M. Walsh), and the secretary of the Greymouth branch (Bro. H. McKeowen), also delegates from the Foresters, Druids, and Oddfellows. The president welcomed the visitors, and congratulated the branch on attaining its Golden Jubilee. He also read a large number of congratulatory letters and telegrams from prominent members of branches in various districts.

The proceedings opened with the loyal toast, proposed by the chairman. His Lordship Dr. Brodie, in proposing the toast to the Hibernian Society, said: —"The toast allotted to me embodies a very comprehensive subject. The Hibernian Society with its full title ' Hibernian-Australa-sian Catholic Benefit Society ' stands for lofty ideals. The pioneers of Hibernianism wished to keep alive the memory of their native land, whose history was sacred to them; the prayer of their heart was that the dark days of sorrow would pass, and they would be able to sing again the soulstirring song, ' A Nation Once Again.' By a happy coincidence the press has just recorded the fact that Ireland has been admitted to membership of the League of Nations this is a realisation, in some measure, of the prayers and wishes of lovers of Ireland. By the title Australasian the founders wished to acknowledge the liberties they enjoyed in their adopted country; The society was to be pre-eminently ' Catholic,' a society governed by Catholic ideals, inspiring all members to live as sincere practical Catholics. As a Benefit Society the members were encouraged to make provision for sickness and advancing age, and at the same time to foster a feeling of mutual help and neighborly kindliness. The Hibernian Society complies with the requirements of the Church by avoiding mysterious secrecy and oaths; the meetings of the society are open; the rules had the approval of public authority as in the case of all registered Friendly Societies in New Zealand. : Our assembly was one of rejoicing over the success of the past. The fact that St. Patrick's branch had endured for 50 years was due to the courage, perseverance, and sacrifice of the pioneers; and it must be remembered that future success can be achieved by no other means. Young members must realise the necessity of a life of industry and sacrifice they must impress upon their minds the • fact that in the history of nations as of families luxury and indolence lead only to failure and decay. His Lordship said he deeply appreciated the readiness of St. Patrick's branch to cooperate in all work for the interests of holy Faith. He congratulated the branchy on its jubilee and wished it. a future of continued success."

The toast was replied to by Bro. M. Grimes, District Deputy Bro. J. J. Marlow (Dunedin), Bro. M. Walsh (Wellington), and Bro. H. McKeowen (Greymouth). Bro. Grimes, in the course of his reply, gave a sketch of the early history of the branch, showing the giant work that had been done by the early pioneers, and paid a tribute to the sterling qualities of many of the members, some of whom had the honor of being present that evening. He also read letters of congratulation from the Very Rev. Dean Regnault (Wellington), also from the Sisters of the Missions. Bro. J. J. Marlow (Dunedin) expressed his pleasure at being present, and said he was proud to know that the branch was first opened by a delegate from Otago. He referred to the establishment of the society and the first meeting in Melbourne, when Dr. Gould, Archbishop of that city, made two reservations in its establishment; firstly that the Hibernian Society was to be a Catholic society, and secondly was not to be a secret society. The society was doing useful work otherwise it would long since have gone out of existence.

The toast of "Hierarchy and Clergy" was proposed by Bro. D. Edmonds, P.P., who in an eloquent speech eulogised the good work and helpfulness of the bishops and priests in the interests of the Hibernian Society in New Zealand. This toast was replied to by' the clergy present, who, in happy speeches, expressed their pleasure at being present at the jubilee function, and said that the Hibernian Society were always of great assistance to them in any work connected with the Church.

The toast of the "Medical Officers" (Dr. J. C. Pairman, Dr. J. A. Ardagh, and Dr. J. P. Whetter) was proposed by Bro. J. R. Hay ward.

The toast of the "Pioneer Members" was proposed by Bro. M. Mannix, and responded to'by two pioneer members in the persons of Mr. John Joyce and Mr. Thomas Hynes. Bro. Joyce gave a sketch of the early history of the establishment of the branch, and said he felt grieved at the thought that most of his old associates had departed, together with the early pioneer priests with whom he had had the privilege of many years' intercourse. He told a little story about a Sister of Mercy who, when he (the speaker) was laying out the garden at their convent remarked "hasn't God been good to you to allow you to live such a long time to be able to work," and he replied, "I don't think so Sister; if He was good to me I would 1 would be in heaven long ago"; but (she said), Mr. Joyce you are much more useful laying out our garden than you would be in heaven." Bro. Hynes also replied to the toast, and thanked the proposer for his references to him (Bro. Hynes).

The toast of "Kindred Societies" was proposed by Bro. J. M. Coffey, P.P., who said he was pleased to see representatives present of the Oddfellows, Foresters, and Druids. Each representative responded, and expressed appreciation of the good wishes extended by the proposer of the toast. The toast of "The Press" was proposed' by Bro. W. P. Daly, who made special mention of the N.Z. Tablet. The toast was responded to by the press representatives present.

A presentation of a gold watch to the secretary (Bro. M. Grimes) and a silver tea and coffee service to Mrs. Grime* was made by Bro. O'Rourke, who spoke of the good qualities of Bro. Grimes both as a member and as a secretary, and also to the good work of his wife, who had always helped in any undertaking on behalf of the branch. Bro. Grimes suitably replied, and said he would always remember the present occasion. He would treasure the gift, which would serve to remind him of the many good friends he had in the Hibernian Society. He thanked them for their present to Mrs. Grimes, and their kind references to her.

Medals of the society's emblems were presented to four old members (Bros. John Joyce, Thomas Hynes, Thomas O'Connell, and W. Curtain). Bro. O'Connell presented an enlarged photo of himself to be hung in the meeting room. Rev. Father O'Connell presented an enlarged group of some of the early presidents. In doing so he referred to his long connection with the society; and in receiving the medal on behalf of his father (Bro. Thos. O'Connell) stated that one of the joys his father had was that five of his sons were members of the branch. The president thanked the donors for their gifts, and said they would be treasured by them. ;.:.•; ' ....

The hall was tastefully. decorated under the direction of Bro. P. O'Connell, pot-plants and green and white streamers being suspended from the ceiling, and a large green flag from the main table had a very pleasing effect. The musical programme consisted of items by an orchestra, and songs were contributed by Miss M. O'Connor, Miss Olga Wacked, Rev. Father Joyce, Messrs. T. Delaney and S. Jamison.