PARTING GIFT TO MRS. NELIGAN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 14508, 24 October 1910, Page 9

PARTING GIFT TO MRS. N ELIGAN.

Mr.s. 1.. Caldkr, of All Saints' vicarage, l'onsonby, writes Will yon kindly allow mo spare for a few words of explanation concerning Mrs. Ncligan's letter of thanks, which I hereby ask to make public through your pagers. The idea of making a small gift, to our Bishop's wife., in remembrance of her untiring work amongst us, began with tho council of t,ho Mothers' Union, of which sho was the untiring president. As one shrinks from the glaring publicity of making a general appeal (especially for such as she), wo availed ourselves only of private means for making our project known ; but, as other societies with whom Mrs. Xeligan had worked, wished to join and to include some personal friends, tho idea assumed larger proportions, and covered more ground (still without, active publicity), until we were able to offer a gift of which we were not ashamed. It was my privilege to take to her. in tho name of these friends, a most exquisite handbag and purse combined, made of soft brown leather with silver mountings and monogram, with a patent ball-bearing safety handle, and on ono side of the opening ' 1903, Maoriland, 1910,' and on tho other 'Ka nui te matou aroha ki a keo' (Great is the love we bear thee). This bag was tho perfect work of Mr. Kohn, of Auckland, and it contained a draft, on London for £60, a few pounds in loose cash, and 10 letters setting forth all particulars of the gift, and the loving regard which prompted and inspired it. I ask your courtesy in publishing this, in ease anyone may think that it was a case of appeal, and that they were left out.

"Mrs. Neligan's acknowledgement is this: ' S.s. Tongariro, Wellington, October 15, 1910. My dear friends, —It is quit© useless for me to attempt, to find adequate words with which to tend you a. message or heartfelt. thanks for the beautiful gift that Mrs. C alder brought, to me from you all. All I can say is this: With my whole heart 1 most trulv thank you all, not only for the gift, which is such a generous one, but still more for the loving words that have come with it, and tho loving thought, that has prompted it. 1 shall use the purse-bag vorv constantly with my warm and loving thoughts for you all. With its contents I hope, whenever we get a settled home, to hriy a piano, and on if 1 shall have an inscription put, stating that, it is the gift, of m.v dear Auckland friends. I hopo this is what you will like! It will give me and mine unceasing joy to have this piano as your loving gift to me. God only knows the pain and sorrow at parting from you, and all our work together are to me. J have always felt it a privilege and joy to be associated with you in the work God has allowed us to do together. The loyal co-operation you have given mo in all the work wo have carried on together will always ha a very precious memory with me. and the friendship made between its will always remain, and can never be broken by distance or separation. I earnestly wish that I could have had mcro time and strength for doing much more, and seeing much more of you all, and 1 J>og of you to forgive- nio for tho many mistakes I know I have often made. May (Jed bless and keep you all very close to Him, and ever strengthen you in all your work for Him. If it is His will, we shall, 1 pray, meet again one day. 1 do thank God with all my heart, for all the love, sympathy, and support you have given me! And I am always your affectionate friend Mary Neligan.' " '