FATHER KEOGH

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 285, 26 August 1908, Page 10

FATHER KEOGH

SILVER JUBILEE OF HIS ORDINATION. LARGE GATHERING AT THE TOWN HALL. There was a very large attendance at tho Town Hall last night, tho occasion being a presentation to the Very Ilev. Father Keogli,S.M., 8.A., rcctor of St. Patrick's College, from residents throughout tho Dominion, to mark tho twenty-fifth anniversary of his ordination and his 50th birthday. i' Dr. Cahill presided, and among those who occupied seats' on the platform were His Graco Archbishop Redwood, Hon. Geo. Fowlds, the Mayor (Mr. T. W. Hislop), Rev. H. Van Staveren, Very Rev. T. O'Shea, •V.G., Deaii Regnault, Prov.; Ven. Archdeacon Devoy, Dean M'Kcmia, Dean Grogan, Vory.Rev. Father' Clune, Rev. Fathers Coquet, T. M'Kenna, Goggun, Hickson, O'Connell, Melu, S. Mahony, Bowe, O'Brien, Creagh, Quinn, Herbert, Kelly, Bartley, Graham, Dalidab, O'Reilly, Gondringer, and Hurley. Thero wore also present:—Lady Ward and a large number of members of both branches of tho Legislature. Tho Chairman said ho had been asked to apologise for some hundreds of friends of Father Keogh, who were unable to be pre-' sent. Tho list of names was too (long to. go through, but ho might mention that upon it were those of the Right Hon. the Premier (Sir Joseph Ward), the Speaker of the, House of Representatives, members of both Houses of Parliament, and people belonging to all classes and denominations in tho Dominion. (Applause.) The object of the meeting was. to tender to Father Keogli tho sincere appreciation and regard of tho community.. Father Keogh's many good qualities had endeared to him an exceedingly large number of friends. On behalf-of the meeting ho congratulated Father Keogh on tho attainment of twenty-five years of service in the Church and of his fiiftieth year of life, : and wished him a bright and prosperous' future. (Loud applause.) ; The Mayor (Hon.'T. W. Hislop)-extended his heartiest congratulations to Fater Keogh. Ho referred to the fact that his Graco Archbishop Redwood was instrumental in bringing about the possibility of Father Keogh coming to New Zealand."When St. Patrick's Collcgo was opened the membership was twenty-five, and when Father Keogh assumed charge tho total had risen to fifty. Now there were one hundred and twentyfour pupils 'on tho roll. (Applause). Mr. Hislop then referred to the. eminent position •which Father Keogh occupied as a clergyman, teacher, and citizen. The Rev. 'Father not only did his utmost to improve tho lads who came under his charge whilst they wore at school, but also after they hod left it. (Applause). It gave him great pleasure in the name of tho citizens to. present Father Keogh with an address and a substantial tribute of the respect in which he was held. Ho hoped that in' future Father Keogh's efforts would bo crowned with ■ even greater success than had attended his efforts: in the past, and that ho would enjoy long life. Amidst loud, applause the. Mayor then handed Father Keogh a purse containing three hundred and twenty spvereigns and an address, the text of which was as follows: — Tho Very Rev. Father Keogh, S;M., B.A.

Very Rev. arid Dear Father,—On this happy occasion, when you celebrate tho itwenty-fifth anniversary of your ordination to tho sacred office of the priesthood, we desire to tender you an expression of our sincere appreciation and affectionate • regard so that the devoted service of ; a •.• quarter of a century > may be crowned by a tribute of respect and esteem from your friends and admirers throughout the Dominion. The ability and success which _ characterised your work as an educationist in the land of

your birth have been manifested in the "high standard of culture which obtains at St. Patrick's College and which is reflected in the splendid results achioved by, pupijp_ 0f... the institution at the public examinations.' But»your influence has not been confined to your work as a teacher. Endowed with a broadminded spirit, -a kindly and generous nature, you have won for yourself many friends among all classes in this country, and they join with us to-day in'wishing you a long and happy life.

The Hon. Geo. r 'Fowlds also extended his congratulations to Father Keogh. During the past few years ho had as Minister for Education been brought in contact with the good I' work , which Father Keogh. was doing in the \ institution -over which he presided. Father Keogh was not content to impart book learning; lie was doing his utmost to produce allround men at St. Patrick's College. (Applause.). Mr. Fitzgibbon, an ex-pupil of the College also addressed the meeting. ■ Upon ' rising to reply, Father Keogh received quito an ovation. He said that a heart would have to be made of either stone or iron if it'failed to be deeply touched by the magnificent meeting that evening. During the day he- had received telegrams of congratulation from almost every town and "village of the Dominion. ' Among those who .had extended their congratulations to him were his Excellency the Governor,.the Right Hon. the Premier, the Leader of the Opposition, the Speaker of the House, clergymen of all denominations, members of all the learned professions, and, of the general public. He did not know wliat'he had personally done to deserve such a universal demonstration of good-will. Reference had been mado to his broad-mindedness, but he might remind them that the spirit of the norrow-minded was entirely absent'in Ireland. (Applause.) Everywhere ho had been in the Dominion ho had met with nothing but kindness. What lie believed was that although the people prayed at different altars there was no reason why they should not,all.warm their feet at the samo hearth; (Applause.) The testimonial was evidence of the appreciation in which the' work of tho Collego was held. Ho thought that ho would bo only voicing tho wishes of the numerous subscribers if he devoted the money solely and exclusively towards the cost of further equipping the school. A chemical laboratory_ was required thero, and lie would bo showing his gratitude to the subscribers -if he lodged the amount in tho bank next day, earmarked for that particular work. Ho thought that the* laboratory might bo called the-Jubilee Laboratory to mark the great kindness which he had received at the hands of the large"- audience ;■ that evening/. (Loud applause.) During the evening an enjoyable musical programme was gone .through, items being rendered by Miss R. Rabone, Miss Ruby M'Donald, Miss May Driscoll, and Miss V. Lamacrodt, the Rev. Father Hills, S.M., and Mr.-. A. Baliance. Tho accompanists; were Miss Maloney and Mr. Horace Hunt.

ADDITIONAL TRIBUTES. The boys of the College, on Monday evening, presented a fine_set of breviaries to tlio Very Rev. Father Iveogli. Yesterday morning, in honour of the occasion, and in the presence of a large number of visiting clergy from all parts of the Dominion, High Mass was celebrated at St. Joseph's Church,- at 9 o'clock. The Very Father Keogh was celebrant, Father Quinn was deacon, and Father M'Carthy was subdeacon. Both Father Quinn and Father M'Carthy are ex-pupils of the institution. Very Rev. Father Regnault, Provincial of tlio Marist Order for New Zealand, preached an appropriate sermon on. the dignity of the priesthood. At 1 o'clock yesterday afternoon, tlio Faculty of the Collego tendered a dinner in Father Kcogh's honour. Among thoso present were the Right Hon. the Premier (Sir Joseph Ward), tlio Hon. Geo. Fowlds, tlio Mayor (Hon. T. W. Hislop), Colonel Collins, Hon. T. Thompson, M.L.C., . Mr. A. Kidd, M.P., Mr. H. D. 8011, K.C., the Revs. J. K. Elliott (Presbyterian), J. Johiiston (Anglican), H. Van. Staveren (Hebrew), and eitizons of note 'in every spliero of public life. Glowing tributes to the work of tlio rector as an educationalist, but more especially as a broad-minded man, were paid. '