HOKITIKA NOTES

Grey River Argus, 27 September 1944, Page 2

HOKITIKA NOTES

(Our Own Correspondent) HOKITIKA, Sept. 26. Sixty boxes of whitebait were railed' yesterday to Christchurch, but in the Hokitika River catches are still verv small. The Gael is due this week from Tarakohe. She had her engines re-

paired at Picton, while proceeding to Wellington, when trouble had developed. She will load here for South Westland.

Righ Rev. Dr F. F. Lyons, Catho- . lie Bishop of Christchurch, was on Sunday extended .a most cordial wel- . come here by St. Mary’s parishioners. - In the morning he celebrated first - Mass and at second Mass presided in I the sanctuary. On each occasion he ) delivered an eloquent discourse to a I large congregation. On Sunday afternoon there was Solemn Ponti- '. ficial Benediction in the Convent. Chapel, it being the feast of Our I Lady of Mercy. The Bishop was assisted by Rev. Fathers J. Finerty (Deacon) and J. Keane (Sub-Dea-con). with Rev. Dr. G. Harrison as Master of Ceremonies. In the evening the church was again crowded for devotions, an r ] the Bishop took for his subject “Mary the Mother of God and Men.” Solemn Pontifici.al Benediction followed. Later at St. Mary’s Club another crowded gathering extended a congregational welcome, Rev. Fathers Finerty and D. Healy (Kumara) voicing the cordial feelings of the assemblage, and referring to the high regard in which Dr. Lyons was held by Archbishop Mannix and the people of Melbourne. Hearty applause greeted the Bishoo who said his welcome throughout Westland had delighted him. It was the land of the open door and the open hearth, symbols of the warm hearts of the people, the land also of warm rains and warm fires, signifying their warm affection. He already had a great love for this part of his diocese, and was sorry that he had to leave so soon, but would look forward for the day of his return. A first rate concert programme -arranged by Miss A. Daly was earlier given, and after the parishioners were introduced to the Bishop, the members of St. Mary’s Social Guild served supper. < Messrs H. C. Rowe (Postmaster) and H. F. Cooke (Manager of the •Bank of N.S.W.), prior to their departure, were farewelled on Saturday evening by a gathering of citizens at the Hotel Westland. Mr W. H. Stopforth (president of the Businessmen’s Association) who presided paid a sterling tribute to both. During the war they had played their parts well. Mr Rowe had done a particularly hard job, as besides being postmaster he was the Rationing Officer and War Loan Officer and had many other matters to attend to, such .as petrol rationing and - milk zoning. He had carried out 1 his many duties with credit to him- 1 self and the Department, and to the 4 < satisfaction of the public without < fear or favour. With Mi- Cooke he 1 would be a loss to the town and dis- '1 trict. Messis C. H. Guthrey, D. < Friedlander and N. N. Griffin added 1 their tributes. The chairman then. 1 called upon the. Mayor, Mr A. R. i Elcock to make presentations. ThJ ' Mayor expressed the hope that < when Mr Rowe reached retiring age 1 he would return to Hokitika. He presented each guest with a wellfilled wallet of notes. Messrs Rowp and Cooke expressed their thanks fo’*| the kind sentiments expressed and ( for the presentations. They were * both sorry to be leaving such good friends and would retain happy * memories of Hokitika. '