ST. MARY’S CHURCH.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 15 December 1927, Page 10

ST. MARY’S CHURCH.

♦ REV. H. W. AIONAGHAN FA RE WELLED. REPRESENTATIVE GATHERING. Probably the largest and most representative assemblage of the people of parish of St. .Alary’s gathered in the Parish Hall last night when a farewell social was tendered to Rev. H. W. and Airs. Alonaghan, prior to their departure for Timaru. Every part of the parish was strongly represented and there were in addition visitors from Eltham, Alanaia and Patca. The first part of the evening was occupied with an interesting programme of musical items, interspersed with dances and then the speeches of fan* well and the presentations were made. Air. .1. -Al. Townsend, parishioners’ warden presided and there were with him on the platform Revs. C. 11. Isaacson (Eltham), Gisbson (Patea), and C. W. .Solomon (Alumna), and Air. R. S. Dale (vicar’s warden), and members of the vestry. The chairman, after reading a number of apologies for absence, expressed regret that all present felt at having to say farewell, for the Vicar and Airs.. Alonaghan hail found a real place m the hearts of the people. They had been here only a few years, but he was sure they would be greatly missed.

Rev. C. W. Solomon referred to the long and true friendship he had with the vicar, who, lie said, had helped him more than once. He said that Air. Alonaghan had shown a real joy and interest in his work and he was sure all would be sorry to lose him. die joined in the prayers and good wishes of the people of the parish for his success and happiness in the future.

Rev. IT. Gibson said the vicar must be grateful at the way the people had attended the gathering, and he emphasised the loss his going would be to the whole district, for AD. Alonaghan was a sincere and able preacher. It was, he added, not merely because of his ability, but because they were losing a good friend whose place would be hard to fill, that they felt s-' sorry at his departure. Rev. C. IT. Issacsou referred to the fact that so few of the ministers appointed to Taranaki twenty five years ago were still in the district. He said that Mr. Alonaghan’s place would be hard to fill, because he was a man who had a belief in himself, a great as??? to any man in every walk of life. He hoped the day would come when he would return and he referred with pleasure to the friendliness among the parishes of the district, because this was a great help to all. |He wished the vicar Godspeed. Air. R. S. Dale said the loss of Air. Alonaghan was, in his opinion, a calamity to the parish, because they could iil-affed to lose such a man, bur he felt that, probably there was greater scope in the new centre to which he was going. Hawera, he added, was lucky to have had him so long and all would wish him success in the future. Air. IT. G. Dickie, AI.P., said Air. Alonaghan must be gratified to see how the x ic °pl° appreciated the splendid work done during the past five years. If had been a trying time for the church and for the country and he was sure the vicar was leaving the parish spiritually and financially better than he had found it. He was a strenuous worker and a fine speaker and lie recalled his great preaching and his series of splended addresses in (Lent in the Opera House. He referred to Air. Alonaghan’s help and his performances on the cricket field and said it was good to know- he w-as a hundred per cent. New Zealander. He joined sincerely in the good wished expressed for the future to Air. Alonaghan. Air. John Finlay, one of the original parishioners of St. Alary’s, Timaru, to which Mr. Alonaghan was going, gave interesting recollections of those early davs when Parson Foster, or the Farming Parson, as ho was called, was in charge and added a short account of the early history and the difficulties with which they had to content. He said that Air. Monaghan was going to one of the best endowed parishes in the Dominion and he joined in wishing him good health, success and happiness. Mr. Townsend congratulated Air. Alonaghan on his preferment, though lie was deeply sorry he w-as leaving Hawera and in the name of the people of every part of the parish he made a presentation of a cheque each to Air. and Airs. Alonaghan, with which went their united and best wishes for the future.

Air. Alonaghan, on rising to respond, was greeted with enthusiastic l applause. I [> recalled briefly the occasion when 4-1 years ago lie was welcomed to Unworn, not knowing the people with whom he was to be associated and he could say now that these years in Hawera had been the best period of his professional life. It had been long enough to give him treasured memories and bonds of friendship that would never be broken, lie hoped that any good lu* had done here would endure, but lie was conscious of the; fact that much he and Airs. AKon'aghan had wished to do had not been completed, lie would keep the people in his memory and could truly say that when he had made an appeal he had never failed to secure a ready response. He knew the people would always be keen and loyal to tbo parish and would help the new vicar to carry on the good work. The latter was a young man devoted to the church and a man whom all would feel a great joy in knowing. lie knew that the people were kind enough, when a man was leaving, to forget all his failings and in their goodness of heart remembered only that which was host. It was a great encouragement to carry on the work of the church. They had had a strenuous time and had to get rid of a great financial burden, but he felt now that they had touched ground cm tin* right side and wore going to con. timic to prosper. He had had a remarkably fine vestry with whom to work and all parts of the parish had co-operated to secure the greatest success. lie said that his work would not have been nearly so successful hut for the help and collaboration of Airs. Alonaghan and together they thanked the people for those great farewell gifts, but most of all for the love and kindness shown to them and their children. It would, he said, be an inspiration in the work that lay ahead in the future. Airs. Alonaghan also briefly added her sincere thanks for all the goodness showered unon them bv the people of St. Alarv's. Mr. Townsend thanked the country districts for the fine way they had rallied in this gathering and thanked -•Iso Mr. Dickie and many others for their presence and their help. The musical programme comprised songs by Aliss Johnson, Messrs. G 1 lessell and F. Silver, and part songs bv the Hawcra Afalo Quartette: Messrs •I. <Smith. A. E. Alorris, G. LiddingLon, and G. 11. ißuckeridgo, Aliss Buekeritlge playing the aeeompani-

meats. All wore heartily received and encored. The proceedings which were marked by the greatest friendliness and enthusiasm formed a fitting tribute to the good work done by Air. and Airs Monaghan in this parish.