ADDRESS TO THE VERY REV. DR. McDONALD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVII, Issue 5729, 29 March 1880, Page 6

ADDRESS TO THE VERY REV. DR. McDONALD.

Owijtg to the appoiutment of the Very Rev. Dr. McDonald to the post of spiritual guide to the Catholic Maoris of this diocese by his Grace Archbishop Steins, he has been obliged, in obedience to the call of duty, to leave the district of Drury, where he has laboured so devotedly during the past twelve years. The districts of Pukekohe, Maketu, Tuakau, Waipipi, &c., were also under his spiritual charge. Before leaving his parishioners in the above districts they presented him with the following address :—

To the Very Rev. Dr. McDonald.—Very Kev. Sir, —It is with feelings of deep regret your parishioners anil friends learn that, in oH»<lience to the call of duty, von -wuctotab your t'Via amongst them. But they cannot allow you to do so, or sever a twelve years' connection with them, without thanking you for the charitable and energetic manner in which you always discharged your duty as a clergyman, which, through iuclemency of weather, b.ul roads, and long journeys, waß often a trying and laborious task to discharge; and, while well aware of your humility of dispojition, they cannot refrain from pointing to the success that has attended your labours in making provision, by way of churches and schools, for the cause of religion and education throughout the several districts of this wide parish at Pukekohe, Maketu, Drury, Tuakau, and Waipipi. Your unremitting attention to your flock, your charity and zeal, will never be forgotten, while your courtesy and kindness have won the esteem and good opinion of all classes. There remains, however, a source of pleasure to them in knowing that your apostolic zeal and self-denial have been so soon recognised by their venerable and beloved Archbishop, his Grace the Most Kev. Dr. Steins, in his appointment of you to the important and onerous position of spiritual guide to the Catholic Maoris of the diocese. Notwithstanding, they contemplate your departure with much regret, and you may rest assured it will be their sincere prayer that you may not only continue to enjoy health and happiness, but that you may be long spared to experience every blessing and success in the seivice of your Divine Master. They trust you will sometimes remember them in your prayers, and beg you, in the name of your parishioners and friends, to accept the accompanying purse of sovereigns as a small memento of your connection with the district.—Signed on behalf by A. G. Forbes, Pukekohe; Laurence Callughan, Maketu ; John Boyle, Tuakau; James Kelly, "Waipipi; John Fitzgerald, Drury.— March 7, 18S0.

Dr. McDonald replied to the above address in appropriate and feeling terms. He expressed his regret for the severance which had taken place between him and liis parishioners, for the more he had known of them the more he had learned to esteem them ; but ho could only respond to the call which had been made upon him by his venerated and beloved Archbishop, to labour again for the welfare and spiritual interests of the Catholic Maoris of the diocese. He thanked them for all their past kinduesses, and could assure them that he would always remember them in his prayers.