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BALLARAT HIBERNIAN SOCIETY.
SMYTHESDAIJE BRANCH.—On Thursday, the
23rd ult., Bro. Michael Deegan, secretary,
Bro. John Berry, treasurer and director, and
Bro. Daniel Brophy, officers of the Executive
Directory of the Ballarat Hibernian Society,
attended in regalia at the Fire Brigade Hall,
Smythesdale, to open a Branch of the abovenamed
Society in that township. There were
about twenty persons present. Director Bro.
Daniel Brophy took the chair, and Bro. John
Berry the vice-chair.
The secretary, Bro. M. Deegan, placed the
dispensation to open the Smythesdale Branch,
No. 10. in the hands of the chairman, who
read it, and formally opened that Branch. Mr.
F. Sheridan was appointed to act as secretary.
The usual medical certificate of good health
was received from sixteen candidates, and four
candidates were proposed for membership.
The following brothers were nominated without
opposition, to fill the several offices, viz.:—
Bro. E. Daly, president; Bro. T. Corbett,
vice-president; Bro. Dalton, treasurer; Bro.
F. Sheridan, secretary; Bro. O'Connor, warden
; and Bro. Patrick Walsh, guardian. Dr.
T. B. St. George Wilkinson was appointed
medical officer.
Bro. M. Deegan, at some length, pointed out
the great advantages derived from this and
similar societies, the objects of which were to
promote the moral and social well-being of
their members, and in the day of adversity to
give to each other all possible assistance, providing
members, their wives, and families with
medicines arid medical attendance, and a certain
sum of money in case of sickness or death.
He also stated, for the information of the members
present, that the society now numbered'
between 700 and 800 members, and had to its
credit about £1,200. A banner and scarfs
had been sent for to Paris, and were expccted
to arrive about the first of March next. The
cost would be about £800. In conclusion, he
thanked them heartily for the action they'had
taken in the formation of the Symthesdale
Branch, and expressed a hope that at no distant
date the members would be as numerous as
those of any other branch of the society. ;
It was stated that 200 members were expected
to join ere long.
After a vote of thanks to the delegates from
Ballarat, which was expressed by acclamation,'
the meeting closed to open, again on Wednesday,
the 5th of January, 18,70, and be held on
alternate Wednesdays from that date.
After the conclusion of the business, (.he
members of the Smythesdale Branch entertained
the delegates, from Ballarat at La Motty's
Court House Hotel, : the lady friends of
many members being present. After justice
had been done to the good, things. provided,
the chairman, Bro. E. Daly, proposed/the
health of " the Ballarat Delegates," in appropriate
terms.
Bro. D. - Brophy responded. He thanked
them heartily for the cordial reception gi<ren
to him and his brother delegates; and assured
them that to the utmost of their power t^ey .
would endeavour to forward ,;the interests of
the society. He felt satisfied that at no'distint
time there'would not be a town or village in
the colony in which there would nbt bd a
branch of the Ballarat Hibernian Society; -} 1
Bro. M. Deegan proposed " Prosperity to ie
No. 10 Branch of the B.H.S.," coupled with ,
the names of , the officers elected, which A)
responded Jto by the p;>esident, Bro. E. Dajy.f
and secretary, Bro. F. Sheridan, the Jatterlof
whom proposed the health bf the doctor, w^O*
was pronounced.'"ajolly jgood fellow;" Dr.
Wilkinson responded in appropriate laii"i v
guage. • ....f,
Bro. D. Brophy proposed the health of
" the Ladies," which was responded to by Bro.
Michael Deegan in a humorous and suitable
manner.
The health of the host, Mr. La Motty,
was also proposed, and that gentleman thanked
the company very kindly.
After some hours spent in songs and conviviality,
the delegates returned to Ballarat
well pleased with the result of their mission.
LEAHMONTH BRANCH (NO. 5).—The annual
general meeting of this branch was held in the
Roman Catholic Schoolroom, Learmonth, on
Saturday, January 1st; the President, Brother
M. Feary, in the chair. After the usual
routine business had been disposed of, the
auditor's report and balance-sheet were submitted
and adopted. It appeared that the
number of members good on the books was
33, and that the amount to credit of Society,
after paying all working expenses for the past
half-year, was £52 18s. 4£d. The election of
office-bearers for the ensuing half-year was
next proceeded with. The President, previous
to vacating the chair, thanked the members
for the kindness and courtesy shown to him
during his term of office, and reviewed at some
length the prosperity of the Society in general;
also stating, that although a candidate for reelection,
it was not his wish that he should
again be returned. After the elections for the
various offices had been proceeded with, the
following brothers were installed:—President,
Patrick MacCarthy ; Vice-President, Patrick
Quinlivan; Treasurer, Thomas Ryan; Secretary,
Martin M. Ryan; Warden, Thos. Doyle;
Guardian, Thomas Fitzgerald; Medical Officer,
Dr. J. Y. Fishbourne. The President chose
as his right and left supporters Brothers John
Fitzgerald and Patrick Fitzgerald. The
Vice-President chose Brothers M. Dillon and
Timothy Reedy. In accordance with a circular
received, inviting the branch to submit
any alterations, amendments, or additions it
might think fit, for the consideration of the
Executive Directoiy, the following committee
was appointed to define the same .-—President
McCarthy, Vice-President Quinlivan, Past-
President Feary, and the Secretary. Messrs.
Philip Morrison and Michael Henneberry were
proposed as benefit members. the meeting
was then adjourned.
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