SOUTH CANTERBURY.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17633, 9 December 1922, Page 3

SOUTH CANTERBURY.

TEMUKA. The Roman Catholic Church, at Temuka has just lost the services of the Rev. Dr. Kennedy, S.M., who has been its parish priest for IS months, and who has been transferred to the Marist Missionary House at Wellington. Before leaving Temuka, Dr. Kennedy received a very warm farewell from a great gathering of his parishioners, the Roman Catholic Hall being packed lo the doors, Mr T. Knight presided, and among the visitors from other parishes were the Revs. Father Hurley, S.M., Father Barra. S.M., and Father O'Farrell, 0 f Timaru, and the Rev. Father Fay, who succeeds Dr. Kennedy. A telegram was received from the Rev. Father Kimbeil, formerly of TVniuka, expressing good wishes to both Dr. Kennedy and Fairer Fay. A programme of music and recitations was given by the children of St. Joseph's School, Misses Sugrue, Springj McGarva, Newman and Esplin, and Messrs F. Dwan and J. Fan-ell. Valedictory speeches eulogising most heartily the services of Dr. Kennedy, at Tei! ika, were made by the chairman, Messrs John Scott, James Leonard, T. O'Connor (Seadown) and John Kyne (Clandeboye). The chairman, on behalf of the meeting presented Dr. Kennedy with a wallet well tilled with bank notes, expressing a hop that the money would be used in the purchase of something that*would be for the doctor's own personal comfort, and that might remind him of the grateful feelings in which he was held by the Roman Catholics at Temuka. The chairman also extended a heartv welcome to Father Fay, who having been at Temuka some years ago, was already known to many parishioners. During his brief term in Temuka Dr. Kennedy has gained the respect and goodwill of many people who are not members of the Roman Catholio Church, and his departure Is very widely' regretted. One of the old settlera of South Canterbury Mr Bartholomew Martin, widely known as "Bartley," died reoently at Temuka at the advanced age of 90 years. He came from County Galway,' Ireland, to New Zealand more than 60 years ago, settling first at Ashburton. Just before the big flood of 1868 he removed to Temuka, acquiring a farm at Milford. Subsequently he bought farms near Winchester and at Morven. Ten years ago he retired and bought a home at Temuka. Ho used to take a keen interest in politics and was a well known character at election meetings in the "good old days." He .was a" keen supporter of football, and when in good health was rarely absent from a local match. The service at St. Joseph's Church and at the Temuka Cemetery was read by the Rev. Dr. Kenedy.