GOLDEN JUBILEE

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 103, 4 May 1931, Page 8

GOLDEN JUBILEE

REV. FATHER MELU, S.M.

(By Telegraph.) (Special to "The Evening Post.") OTAKI, This Day. Father Francis Melu, S.M., has been so long in .Otaki that it is fitting that there should be celebrated his golden jubilee of priesthood. Father Melu was born at St. Etienne de Mt. Luc in Brittany, and was raised to the priesthood by Monsigneur Lecoq, Bishop of Nantes, in 1881. He arrived in New Zealand in 1883, and after a year at Jerusalem, Wanganui Biver, he came to Otaki, which has been his headquarters ever since.- When he arrived his quarters were very poor, a lean-to at the side of the church. Never physically robust, he was yet able. to accomplish deeds of heroic endurance, and on foot and on horseback, long before the railway provided easy conveyance, he traversed his huge district. He'built no less than twenty-four churches, of which.St. Mary's, Otaki, St. Andrew's, Levin, St. Michael's, Shannon, St. Stephen's, Oliau,' are s a few. He also supervised the building of New Zealand's smallest church,, that of, St. Francis, at Oaro, built especially for his devoted friends. Hoanifand Hariata Pe.tini and their children. He provided;the school. and .convent as well as .-the"Presbytery1 at Pukekarakn,. Otaki."- ■ A large gathering, of his' Maori and pakeha friends is expected for the celebrations of the 12th and J3th May.:..-;;. .-::,-;. ,: His Grace Archbishop Redwood, S.M., the doyen of the Catholic Hierarchy, is to preach at the Solemn High Mass on 13th May, and His Grace Archbishop O'Shea has promised to, be present. . Many of the diocesan clergy arc expected for the functions, which will conclude with a grand Maori concert at the Cosy Theatre on Wednesday. 13th May.