PRESENTATION AT RANGIORA

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXVII, Issue 8122, 19 March 1887, Page 3

PRESENTATION AT RANGIORA

The members of the Eangiora Branch aS the Hibernian Australian Catholic Benefit Society had arranged to hold a banquet ojc the evening of St Patrick’s Day, and whear it was made known that the Bev Father Binsfeld would leave the town about tha*time for Germany, it was determined to take the opportunity for wishing him Godspeed, and also for presenting him with m. token of their esteem. Several of the prominent townsmen eC other denominations, on learning- t&s Society’s intention, asked leave to join with, them in the pioceedings, and this being granted, the banquet, which took place ad the Bed Lion Hotel on Thursday evening, was a thoroughly representative one. The dinner provided by the hostess, Mia*Mullin, was an excellent one, and the room where it was laid was taxed to its ntmoafe capacity to give accommodation to fboc large number of guests present. chair was occupied by Mr iiichard Anderson, President of the Society, who had an his right the gnest of the evening, ttoBev Father Binsfeld, and on his left Ific W. Buss. After dinner, the Chairman, proposed the toast customary to the occasion, viz., “ Ireland’s Patron Saint,’*" coupled with the name of the Bev FatherHurley. The toast having been duly honoured*. Mr J. M. Morgan rendered a selection at the harp. The Bev Father Hurley fittingly responded, and before sitting down proposed the next toast, “ Universal Sentiment e£ Nations,” which was responded to wifclt musical honours.

The interesting ceremony of presenting Father Binsfeld with a parse of sovereign* then took place. Mr James Duncan, son. of Mr M. Dancan, and Secretary of tfa* Society, read the following address:— " Bev Father, —It was with feelings o£ very great regret we heard of your resignring the charge of this parish, and vne cannot allow yon to depart without expressing our fullest and heartfelt thank* for your very many kindnesses to us. Ton. have during your ten years’ sojourn, amongst us, by your great and earnest zeal in the welfare of our holy religion andL your uniform straightforward and untiring action so endeared yourself to us that your absence will be long felt and When you took charge of the parish then* was no priest’s residence and only a small church at. Bangiora, an unfinished one at Doburn and one at Biackenbridge. At the present time, through your energy and unceasing labours, the parish, is ornamented with temples to God, monarmenta of your love and zeal for you* Maker and ourselves. 1 You have erected a pretty church at Oxford and also aft Ha warden, you have finished and beautified the church at Loburn, you have bniKta handsome church at Kaiapoi, and ha** erected a church and presbytery aft Bangiora, which are an ornament t* the town. But, Bev Father, year crowning success and the work which you have had -most at heart, and foe which you laboured most assiduously for years, is the establishment of a Catholic school at Bangiora, under the management of nuns. We know that the religion* education of our children is of first and paramount importance, and on such depends their future welfare and and the maintenance and spread of oar holy faith. We, therefore, desire most specially to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for this great blessing which, you nave been the instrument in procuring us, and knowing how much you have this matter at heart, we promise that we will doall in our power to maintain and supports the school and the good sisters, so that 1C you return, you will have cause to be proud.of the success of the great work you have inaugurated. We know that your own private contributions have largely tended to the successful carrying out of then* many works, and we beg your acceptance of the accompanying present as a slighfetoken of our gratitude and esteem.- Again, offering you, dear reverend Father, oar most sincere thanks for all you have donefor us, and hoping your well-earned, baft enforced respite from your unceasing labours, may restore you to health, and asking yon to remember ns in your prayers.” The Chairman then handed the purse of sovereigns to the rev Father, saying that Its was a gift from his non-Catholic friends as well as from his own flock. The Bev Father Binsfeld acknowledged the gift in feeling terms, expressing hie regret that his health compelled him tft sever his connection with the mission and. to leave Bangiora. He had liked the town, from the first time -he set his foot in tbits surroundings were homely and its inhabitants peaceful, and he felt the severance from those outside his own flock lib* that of the partings from intimate friends. Several other toasts having been proposed and duly honoured, the proceedings* which were of an extremely happy character throughout, closed with “ God save th« Queen.” It may be mentioned that in addition to the foregoing presentation, the Bev Father Binsfeld has been the recipient of an album and address from the children, of the Sunday-school connected with thechurch; and a heavy silver watch guard* with black-enamel and silver-mounted crass from the day-school scholars; also several presents from the congregations of churches in other parts of the mission. H*r took his departure from Bangiora by ttm raid-day train jesterday.