VALEDICTORY CONCERT

Greymouth Evening Star, 25 August 1928, Page 6

VALEDICTORY CONCERT

TO REV. FATHER LONG.

An enjoyable two hours was spent last evening, when many of his parishioners and friehds met in Columba Hall to bid God speed and a safe return to the Rqv. Father Long, who leaves on Monday for Sydney, to attend the Eucharistic Congress, as the representative of the Greymouth Parish. An entertaining concert took up the first part of the evening. Every item was keenly appreciated, and as Father Long put it later, “one would have to go a long way to hear a better concert.”

Before the programme commenced, Bro. Virgilius announced that in order to make the evening as short as possible, no encores would be allowed the concert items.

The Marist Boys’ Choir, accompanied by Miss K. Fogarty, with violin obligato by the Fogarty Bros., sang two warmly applauded choruses, (Shamrock and Carrigdhown). Mrs Cogswell sang in sweet style, “The Home in Hills.” The Convent Orchestra, of nine violins, accompanied by Miss McSherry, gave a rendering of the First Movement of Gloria from Mozart’s “12th Mass.” Miss Mildred Coburn sang ah appropriate little song, “We’ll Pray for You,” her item being much appreciated. Misses Mary Martin and Maureen Sullivan followed with “Valse Des Fleurs,”'a pianoforte duet. One of the most enjoyable numbers was the song by Miss N. Bald who sang in charming voice, “At Eventide.” Miss Martin played a violin obligato. Mr McGrath’s dramatically rendered monologue “The Surrender,” gripped his audience. A vocal solo by Mi’ T. Clarke followed, which, like Miss Doreen O’Hallahan’s song, “Danny Boy,” was well received. A chorus by the Convent Girls “Before the Sun Awakes the Morn,” and a violin duet “Allegro con Spirito” by Masters Desmond and Godfrey Fogarty, concluded the concert programme;

The priests and clergy of the parish, and neighbouring clergy, the Hibernian Society members, and Mr H. F. Doogan, were 'associated -with Father Long on the platform. Mr Doogan presided over the presentation ceremony. He said that he was not as often in such good company as he now found himself. He hoped that Rev. Father Long’s usually kind nature would stick to him, who had always thought more 'about the welfare of other people than about his own. It was not at all his wish that any such farewell function as this should take place, but they had felt he could not be allowed to leave the parish, even only temporarily without giving some expression of the esteem in which he was held by his people. He hoped Father Long would take advantage of the opportunity he would have to gain special graces for his Greymouth parishioners. Mr Doogan then amused everyone with several little anecdotes. He assured Father Long that he would leave the Coast with the best wishes of his people, and concluded by asking a member of-the Hibernian Society to speak. Mr Ivan Mcllroy presented the guest of the evening with a beautifully worked Chaplain’s Collar. In doing so he said that the presentation was made to show Father Long that he had the good wishes and esteem of the parish and the Hibernian Society on his departure for Sydney. He had done good work during the time he had been on the Coast, and was responsible for the good position now enjoyed by his Society. With the Chaplain’s Collar. Mr Mcllroy also presented a letter of introduction to the Secretary of the Sydney Hibernian Society, which he hoped would be found useful during the Congress. Mr Doogan then made a presentation of a substantial cheque to Father Long, on behalf of the parishioners. He wished him a good time and- a speedy return. They had seen Father Long quite enough to make them want him for a further period, and he thought they.ought to stipulate that a condition of their gift, was that Father Long returns to Greymouth. Fathers Quinn, Lordan, O’Meeghan and O’Dougherty, spoke on behalf of the clergy, eulogising* Father Long’s good character and generosity to them at all times. Bro. Virgilius added the best wishes of the Marist boys for a good time at the Congress. On rising to respond, Father Long received a prolonged ovation. He thanked all those parishioners land friends who had attended to farewell him, and said that he would remember the concert always, and paid a tribute to the good work done in organising it by Bro. Virgilius and his committee. He explained the origination of the Hibernian Society in Greymouth, and said that he had endeavoured to put off any farewell to himself, as he did not wish to put the Society to any expense in that connection, but his efforts had failed. He would never forget the kindness of his Greymouth friends and he was glad to have the opportunity of expressing his feelings of gratitude towards them. He thanked the neighbouring priests and clergy for their continued kindness. He also expressed appreciation of the presentations made to him-and promised he would always uphold the honour of being the Society’s Chaplain. All eyes would be on the Congress in Sydney, the purpose of which he explained. He concluded with further expressions of gratitude to all. “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow” was sung and the audience gathered round Father Long for a final farewell.