PRESENTATION TO REV. FATHER DAWSON.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1354, 10 February 1898, Page 13

PRESENTATION TO REV. FATHER DAWSON.

St. Mary’s Schoolroom was crowded last week by parishioners of St. Mary’s Cathedral, who had attended to say good-bye to the Rev Thomas G. Dawson, who is leaving the parish, of whieh he has been priest for the last six years. On the platform, whieh was adorned with growing palms and other plants, were seated the Archbishop of Wellington, the Rev Dr Watters and several prominent parishioners, in addition to the Hon Dr Grace, M.L.C., who presided, and, of course, the Rev Father Dawson hiuself. A short musical programme by pupils of Sister Mary Agneß, of St. Mary’s Convent, opened the proceedings. Miss 1 Smith and Miss Waldegrave played pianoforte solos. The song “The Promise of Life ” was well Bung by Miss Sullivan, and Miss Smith gave pleasure with her rendering of the ballad “Kate O’Shane.” The partsong “ Evening ” was given by Misses Smith, Reilly (2;, Faulkner and Putnam. After this prelude came the presentation of a purse of sovereigns, with this address “ We desire to express our profound esteem for your holy character and admiration of your exemplary life. Your ze*l, purity of intention and absolute unselfishness have commanded our deepest respect. Your unwearying, affectionate attendance on the sick, your enthusiasm for the spiritual welfare of children, your burning advocacy of the interests of religion, purity of faith and simplicity of life have endeared you to us all. We part with you in a Bpirit of sacrifice, with profound regret. We recognise the marvellous work you have done in this parish, and know that it is your mission to work and suffer, to adjust complex problems and look for your reward in the next world. With sentiments of sympathy, affection and respect, —We are, Morgan S. Grace, W. W. Johnston, Martin Kennedy, Richard Duignan, E. W. Gibbs, R. J. Collins, John O’Meara, Bernard F. Whitaker, P. Sheridan, W. 0. Gasquoine, John Maginnity, A. A. Corrigan, W. M. Maskell, J. E. Henry (hon. secretary), O T. MoManaway (hon. treasurer).” The Hon Dr Grace, in making the presentation, said they had learnt, most of them with great surprise, last Sued y, that Father Davgou was abjut to h ave LLe parish, it seemed not unnatural to them that iu a matter of the very first importance to their interests they should petition the Archbishop to use his influence to induce him to remain. At the same time they determined to take advantage of the opportunity in any case to present Path r Dawson with an address. Hurriedly they met in the schoolroom, and the address was enthusiastically adopted. It j was also decided to present Father Dawson with a purse of sovereigns. (Applause ) It was a source of unmixed joy to all of them to be able to say that no solicitation had beep made to induce persons to oontribnfce to the purse. If the bag was light, he c.ould assure Father Dawson that their hearts were heavy; anfi if they had had more time the hag would have been heavier still. (Laughter and applause.) The truth was that Father Dawson had grown upon them in accordance with the singular depth of his character. He came to them when the parish was in many ways troubled, and if at first they thought him to be a somewhat oold and stern man, they now knew that this exterior was only a e ! oak whieh concealed a kind heart, a warm nature and a most generous disposition. They had tried in a titnple and unpretending way to con- I vince Father Dawson that a deep-rooted esteem for his personal character was universal in the parish. ‘ The address would answer the natural question that must occur to the next flock that should have the advantage of Father Dawson’s services, “ How did the parish of Thorndon ever come to part with such a priest ?” (Applause ) In conclusion, Dr Grace said they were extremely sorry to lose Father Dawson, and, moreover, were in the position of not knowing at the moment irhere fee ww» going,

The Rev Father Dawson, in reply, said he thought he should be either less or more than flesh and blood if he could have listened to Dr Grace’s eulogy of himself and in so listening have rightly attributed to himself even a tithe of the kind things that had been said without being deeply moved. There was mutual grief at the severance of the connection between himself and the parish. The address which had been read showed that iu much of what Dr Grace had said he was the mouthpiece of the congregation. Iu every parish there were difficulties. Dr Grace had often spoken to him in the same kind terms that he had spoken publicly that night, when perhaps he saw that he (Father Dawson; was a little despondent and needed a kind word of encouragement. He could not believe that be had deserved either what Dr Grace had said to him in the past or what he had said of him that evening. He could only claim credit for one thing, and that was that since he came to the parish he had been the servant of the congregation in all sincerity and good - will. (Applause.) He had refused persistently to accent oharge of the parish until the Archbishop made it a matter of obedience. It was only under obedience that he consented to undertake the task, and iu the same spirit of obedience he had striven to do what he could for the honour of God and the good of the congregation. (Applause.) He parted from the congregation now with grief and sadness, but it was a - great pleasure and consolation to him to think that his efforts had hot been without some success, and that, apart" from what Almighty God might see fit to have for him in the way of reward, he had; the good-will of the congregation of St. Mary’s. (Applause) The address and the handsome purse of sovereigns spoke for themselves. When he was Asked about the deputation to the Archbishop, he was inclined to advise that it should not take place, as he knew that the circumstances were such as to render it unavailing. For one reason, and one only, did he consent tb the deputation’s taking place, and that was that it might be clear evidence in the sight of the whole city that there was cordiality between the congregation and himself. (Applause) The parting, which gave him as great grief as it gave anyone, had not come about entirely from his own will. (Applause.) As the gathering dispersed Father Dawson had many good-byes to say, young and old pressing to shake his hand by way of adieu.