CATHOLIC YOUNG MEN’S CLUB.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2627, 8 October 1909, Page 5

CATHOLIC YOUNG MEN’S CLUB.

MOCK BANQUET. Fully 200 guests attended the mock banquet given by the members of the Catholic Young Men’s Club in St. Mary’s Social Hall last evening. The gathering was of special interest, inasmuch as ladies were present. The tables were nicely decorated, and the catering of the ladies of St. Mary’s Church left nothing to be desired. A strong committee of ladies worked hard during the afternoon to lay the tables, and their efforts were crowned with the completest success. In the absence of the President (Rev. Father Lane), through indisposition, the Vice-President of the Club (Mr. R. F. Houlihan) acted as chairman, and was supported on his right by His Wirship the Mayor of Gisborne (Mr. W. D. Lysnar) and the Mayoress (Mrs. W. D. Lysnar), and on his left by Mr. John. Townley (chairman of the Gisborne Harbor Board). Proceedings opened with a short musical programme of exceptional merit. An orchestra, consisting of Mr. P. Vita (leader), Misses Pilcher and Sweet (violins), Messrs F. Pettie (cornet), L. A. Sharland (flute), and Miss M. Neill (piano) played a bright overture, and also contributed a second selection later on in the evening, their performances tending greatly to the enjoj’mcnt of the evening. (Songs were sung by Mrs. Hennessy, Miss Power, and Messrs W. J. Barlow, Knibb, and Williamson, while a couple of humorous recitations were given by Mr. Johnston Brown in his well-known inimitable style. The toast-list was then proceeded with. After the toast of “His Majesty the King,” proposed by the Chairman, had been loyailv honored, Mr. W. H. Payne proposed the toast of “The Army, Navy, and "Volunteers,” in a capital speech/ The speaker referred to the noble devotion and splendid achievements of all branches or the service in the South African war, and declared, amidst applause, that there was little chance of the Empire dedining while the army, navy, and volunteers were nrepared to rally to the nation’s call in the manner _in which thev had done on the occasion of the Boer war. The toast was coupled with the name of Lieut- C. F. Lewis. Lieutenant Lewis, in responding, said that his connection with the volunteers dated back to 1878. Though he had been an ardent volunteer, he had always felt that compulsory military training was an urgent necessity, as the volunteer system did not come rip to what was expected of it. Those m i op lienee thought it was derogratary to their dignity to learn the use of _ the rifle, and submit themselves to discipline. Many volunteers dodged parades, with the result that those enthusiasts who kept the corps going were continually m suspense as to whether the corps was going to earn capitation or not. The press of the Dominion had frequently pointed out the small moiety who were bearing arms compared with the population. Many who had served a number of years were really non-efficient, and knew little of the use of the rifle. He considered the custom of electing officers by popular vote an altogether wrong one. There were scarcely sufficient officers in the Dominion to-day to officer a single regiment. He had" always advocated compulsory military training, and felt sure that by this system alone would they secure adequate defence for the country of which they all felt so proud to belong. The toast of “Local Bodies” was entrusted to Mr. A. J. Smith, who handled the toast in a lightly humorous vein. He hoped to see the Borough Council inaugurate a drainage scheme from their superfluous water power; from what was left over from the drainage scheme he had heard they would get electric light. He had heard that the Harbor Board were having a wonderful machine built in Scotland which. > would enable ocean liners to sail up the river within the next few months to the Post Office. The toast was coupled with the names of Mr. W. 1). Lysnar (Mayor of Gisborne) and Mr. John Townley (Chairman of the Gisborne Harbor Board). In responding, Mr. Lysnar said that a great deal of responsibility rested on the local bodies, but it remained for the ratepayers to take an intelligent interest in their town and district and see that the right men were returned, and that they got full value for every penny expended. Local bodies could throttle and retard thei progress or a district. but after ail it was for the people themselves to take a keen interest in local politics and see that only __ those who would push the district ahead wer© returned to represent them. Mr. Townley said the Harbor Board had, besides the harbor, a river to control for 25 miles inland. He considered the new dredge would effect- a wonderful improvement in the river entrance by removing the papa rock, and he hoped to see the day when steamers would land passengers at the wharf. Other toasts honored were: “Sports and Pastimes,” proposed fay Mr. F. Haughie, and responded to by Mr. H. E. Maude; “Commercial Interests, proposed bv Mr. H. Alley, and responded to, in "a highly humorous manner, by Mr. J. W. Bright; “Kindred Societies,” proposed by Mr. O. Alley, and responded to by Messrs F. S. Malcolm (Y M C.A.) and C. Hellier Evans (Gisborne Club); “The Medical Profession.” proposed by Mr. R. S. Wheeler, and responded to bv Dr. J. Clive Collins; “The Mercantile Marine,” proposed by Mr. C. F. Lewis, and responded to by Mr J W. T. Preston. Gisborne manager of the U.S.S. Company; “Gisborne Catholic Literary and Debating Societv,” proposed by Mr. L. T. Burnard, and responded to by Mr. R. 1 • Houlihan; “The Legal Profession,” proposed by Mr P. McCouville. and responded to by Mr. C. A. deLautour; “The Press,” proposed by the Chairman, and responded to by Messrs A. L. Muir (“Poverty Bay Herald”) and T. Clarkson (“Gisborne Times ); “The Ladies, proposed by Mr. P. H. Clark, and responded to by Mr. Roy Quick. On the motion of Mr. Lysnar, a hearty vote of. thanks was passed to the chairman. The toasts were all entrusted to members of the Catholic Young Men s- Club, and the manner in which they were handled reflected great credit on the youthful speakers. Mr. C. A. deLautour, in the course of his remarks, paid a high tribute to the manner in. which the members of the Club had acquitted themselves, remarking that it was probably the first time many of them had addressed so large and varied an audience. Betwen the toasts song£ were sung bv Messrs H. J- Grieve, F Teat, and Roy Quick, and a duet by Mrs Hennessy ‘and Mr. W. J. Barlow. A great deal of the success oi th i evening’s entertainment was due to the faithful manner in which Miss Neill played the accompaniments to the various vocal numbers.