ST. SAVA ORDER.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 91, 17 April 1936, Page 3

ST. SAVA ORDER.

BISHOP HONOURED.

YUGOSLAV DISTINCTION.

COLONY IN NEW ZEALAND.

The formal presentation of the Order of St. Sava (second class), which has been bestowed by King Peter 11. of Yugoslavia on Bishop Liston in recognition of the services rendered by Roman Catholic clergy and teachers to Yugoslavs in New Zealand, was made to the Bishop by the Yugoslav Consul, Mr. J. M. Totich, in the Manchester Unity Hall last evening. The Order of St. Sava is a high Yugoslav distinction awarded for cultural achievements. After the decorations, which are engraved with the figure of St. Sava, an early Serbian priest, had been pinned on Bishop Liston's breast three cheers were given in both English and Yugoslav. Mr. M. E. Simich, president of the Yugoslav Club, presided over a large gathering. The guests included the Mayor, Mr. Ernest Davis, Mr. W. F. Boyle, dean of the Auckland Consular Corps, and members of the corps, and Father Pavlinovich, Yugoslav Commissioner of Immigration. Telegrams were read from the Governor-General, Lord Galway, and the Prime Minister, the Hon. M. J. Savage, regretting that they were unable to be represented and conveying their congratulations. Services to Yugoslavs. On behalf of the Catholic Yugoslav community Mr. Simich extended a welcome to Bishop Liston after his recent trip abroad and expressed their gratitude for having an opportunity to congratulate Bishop Liston on receiving the high order bestowed by King Peter. When the Yugoslavs came to their adopted country, New Zealand, they had very little knowledge of English., no profession and trade, and the Roman Catholic clergy and teachers had rendered outstanding service.

Mr. Totich said that during the past 50 years the Bishop and his predecessors, and the clergy and religious orders of the diocese; had received the Yugoslav immigrants as friends and brothers in one faith. The order was being conferred not only as a token of gratitude to the Bishop personally, but also as a mark of appreciation to all who had co-operated in being friendly and helpful to the Yugoslavs in New Zealand. Tribute by Mayor.

Father Pavlinovich, who spoke in Yugoslav, expressed his thanks to Bishop Liston and all the priests and teachcrs for their assistance. He said about 2,000,000 Yugoslavs were domiciled throughout the world, and there were over 300 Yugoslav children in Roman Catholic schools in the Dominion.

The Mayor said the bestowal of the order was an honour to the citizens of Auckland as well as to Bishop Liston, and he was sure that all would rejoice in seeing his Lordship receive this wellmerited distinction. Mr. Boyle conveyed the felicitations of the Auckland Consular Corps, and Mr. R. Simich spoke on behalf of the younger generation of Yugoslavs in New Zealand. Bishop Liston, in thanking the Yugoslav community for its welcome and the speakers for their tributes, said the honour he had received was a mark of distinction conferred upon many priests and religious teachers of the diocese who had contributed toward the spiritual and temporal welfare of the Yugoslav community. An enjoyable programme was presented by the following artists: Mrs. Hillier, 'Miss Rosser, Father Duffy, Messrs. L. Russell, V. Aspey, G. Aspey and Master B. Bazato. Miss Ormond acted as accompanist.