VALEDICTORY.

Grey River Argus, 25 August 1928, Page 6

VALEDICTORY.

PRESENTATION TO REV FATHER LONG. A large gathering of parishioners of St. Patrick’s Church attended St. (j (> . him ba Hall last evening to bid farewell to the R'?v. Father Lang, who is leaving next week for Sydney to at tend thc Eucharistic ’Congress. Mr H. F. Doogan presided. At the conclusion of •». very enjoyable concert, Mr Doogan, addressing the gathering, referred to iho pending departure of Father Long, and on behalf of the parishioners, expressed the hope that he would have a | lOasanl time while visiting .Sydney, and that when attending th-' Congre-s *he would take ad van'age of the opportunity it afforded for special graces, and would remember them. In asking Fathi r Long to accept, a gift from his par ishioners, taking the form of a cheque, the sp« aker said that they felt lhaf they could not let him go without some angible token of that esteem. He would carry away with him their best wishes. They had seen sufficient of Fath- r Long to want him to stay with them for a longer period, and he added, (jocularly) that their gift was only pre-1 sentod to h.im on condition that he came back. (Laughter). He knew that Father Long’s good nature would not allow him to forget them and he could be assured that (they would not forget him. Mr Doogan concluded by wishing Father Long God speed and a pleasant time. Father Quinn, speaking on behalf of the Priests, said that in sending Father Long to the Congress, they were sending thc right man to the right place. When he came back he would be able to tell them all that the Eucharistic Congress meant. They wished him a pleasant. voyage and hoped that he would enjoy himself. Father Lordan (Kumara), in tendering'good wishes, said it was impossible for him to say in so many words how much they appreciated what Father Long had done for them, and they wou’d never forget his kindness and generosity. Father O'Meagan (AhauiuO congratulated Father Long on being chosen to represent their Church at the. Congress. He heartily endors'd the remarks of the previous speakers, and hoped that Father Long would have a helpful .time bo*h spiritually and temporally, and a safe return. Father O’Docherty (Ros>) also tendered good wishes to the guest of the evening on behalf of his parish. Bro. Virgilius, speaking on behalf of the school children, said they were all plea»?d that Father Long was attending the Eucharistic Congress, and that he was being relieved for a while of his strenuous work in the Parish. Mr I. Mcllroy, President of the Hibernian Society, in presenting Father Long with a chaplain’s collar, said that he would carry away with him the best wishes of the members of the Society in Greymeu’h, and the parishioners generally. The speaker referred to Father Long’s happy relations with members of the Order, and asked him .also to accept a letter of introduction to the Secretary of th-? Society in Sydney.

Father Long, on rising .to respond, was received wi‘h loud applause. He spoke of his efforts to prevent any such expression of iiis parish ’ on« *rs ’ generosity, and mentioned that he had declined two or three times to go to the Congress, but their generosity would now enable him to undertake the journey. In thanking thc parishioners foi their gift, Father Long referred to the fact that it was due to their generosity that ho had some time ago been able to visit his home land. He also thanked members of thc Hibernian Society for thc beautiful scarf they had presented to him. He would always b? proud of it wherever he might go. He thanked all who had taken part in thc concert, and the parishioners for their attendance. Speaking of the Eucharistic Congress, Father Long said that the eyes of the wor'd wre fixed on that important event, at which he was to act as their representative. Thc unique feature of .the Congress would be the carrying of thc Most in a procession from the Cathc dral around th*? City, as far as the waterfront. He concluded by again expressing his gratitude to the parishioners.

The function was concluded with the singing of “For He’s a Jolly Good Fel'.ow. ’ ’

The concert programme included vocal solos by Mrs Cogswell, “Th'? Home in the Hills;” Miss D. O’Hallahan, “Danny Boy;” Miss M. Coburn, “We’ll Pray for You!” Miss M. Bald, “At Eventide” (with violin obligato by JMiss Martin); violin duet, “Allegro con Spirito,” by Masters Desmond and Godfrey Fogarty; chorus. “Before the Sun Awakes the Morn,” by the Convent girls; orchestral selection, “First Movement of Gloria from Mozart’s 12th Mass,” by Convent Orchestra; musical monologue, Mr McGrath; pianoforte duet, “Valse de* Fleurs,” by Misses Mary Martin -and Maureen-Sullivan; choruses. “Shamrock” and “Carrigdhown,” by the Marist boys. PRESENTATION TO DR W. McKAY. Dr W. McKay, who has resigned his position as medical offic r to the Oddfellows’ Lodge, after 23 yea's’ service in that capacity, was last evening entertained by members of the Older, and present- d him with a gift in recogni'ion of his work for the Society. N.G. Bro. D. Cook presided. In toasting the guo t of the evening, Bru. P. C. Heaphy said that Dr McKay had been associated with the O'd- r as the.ir medical officer sir.ee 1905, anj during the whole of thaJ period there had not been one unpleasant incident, and he had performed his service with perfect satisfaction to thc Lodg-', and had rendered it considerable assistance. When Dr McKay had joined them in September, 1905, following Dr Morice, there were only 43 members, but now then? were 136, besides 60 members of lodges which were attached to then ’s. Dr McKay had rendered valuable service, especially during the influenza epidemic. Ho had bestowed the same attention on members of the Lodge as that from whom he received full fees in his outside practice. Besides being a good medical officer, ho was also a good citizen. The speaker referred to Dr McKay’s good work in connection with the Greymouth baths and also a member of the Council of the Acclimatisation Society. They were sorry to lose his services, atid wished to present him a crystal fruit set as a tangible expression of their esteem, and appreciation of his services. Dr McKay, responding, thanked members of the Order for their gift. He believed, ho said, in giving value for what he was paid for. Tie traced th ' progress of ,thc Society during the 23 years had been associated with

it. During that time a great many members had passed through his hands. Tie considered that the class of members on the West Coast was as fin-? as anywhere in New Zealand. TTe again thanked them for their gift, which he .said he would treasure as long as he lived. Dr Bird, who succc'ds Dr McKay as medical officer ,to the Lodge, was also toasted. Responding, he said he would do his best to follow the good example of his predecessor.