“FOR SERVICES RENDERED”

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12323, 18 December 1925, Page 8

“FOR SERVICES RENDERED”

A WORTHY WORKER PRESENTATION TO MR P. D. HOSKINS WELLINGTON CATHOLICS SHOW GRATITUDE St. Francis’s Hall, Hill street, was crowded last evening, the occasion being the public recognition by the Catholic residents of the city parishes (Thorndon, St. Joseph’s. St. Mary of the Angels, Kilbirnie, Island Bay, and Newtown) of the work done for Catholic organisations by Mr P. t>. Hoskins. His Grace Archbishop O’Shea presided, others on the platform including Mrs Hoskins, and Messrs J. J. L. Burke, P. J. O’Regan, J. Scott, and W. F. Johnson. Archbishop O’Shea, who was the first speaker, said that the task which he had to do that evening was both a pleasant one and a difficult one. It was always pleasant to recognise worth, hut it was difficult to praise a man to his face. Those present were well aware of the reason for their presence there that evening, but he would be permitted to speak briefly of the excellent work done by Mr Hoskins for Catholic work during the past 20 years. (Applause.) “When I was a young priest,” said the Archbishop, “and Mr Hoskins only a youth. Mr Hoskins took an active part in the Hibernian Society, and it is largely owing to his efforts that that society was in its' present flourishing condition. He had been a strong worker in the interests of the Catholic Truth Society, the Catholic field service fund for supplying comforts to the soldiers on the battlefield, and lately for the Lewisham Hospital. ' CATHOLIC EDUCATION “But Mr Hoskins’s great work had been in the interests of Catholic education. In the organisation of the Catholic education fund he had shown rare organising ability. Obstacles never daunted him; trouble never cast him

down. Like other people who have worked in the public interest he has had to suffer from the indifference of those from whom he had every right to expect assistance. As long as he knew he had the countenance of his ecclesiastic superiors, he had gone ahead quietly and efficiently in the interests of the work he had in hand.” Mr Hoskins, proceeded * Archbishop O’Shea, had never sought the limelight, but had on the contrary always. done his best to avoid it, with the result that perhaps the greater number of the Catholic people of Wellington did not know just how great his work had been. One might travel the world over and not find a more amicable and delightful man to work with than the guest of the evening. When his advice or occasion was not accepted ho never thought of taking offence or sulking, hut on the contrary had always done his duty to the best of his ability, and that ability Was considerable. RECOGNITION FROM HOME “It was for that reason,” said His Grace, “that when I visited the Eternal City. His Grace the Archbishop 'commissioned me to ask a small decoration for Mr Hoskins from His Holiness. When I pointed out the good work Mr Hoskins had done. ' the secretary of Congregation of' Propaganda said that no small decoration would he adequate to meet the occasion, and had secured for him a decoration that perhaps was not fully appreciated in this new country, but was a coveted one in the courts of Europe —the order of the knighthood of the Order of St. Gregory.” (Applause.) They were proud that Mr Hoskins was a product of their city and a product of the Catholio system of education. It was indeed a matter for congratulation and pride that their schools were capable of turning out such men; such a system of education surely deserved well of the country. (Applause.)' Mr Hoskins was one of the lay apostles who did so much for Catholicism, and whose co-operation aided so much in keeping alive the spirit of the church. (Renewed applause.)

A TANGIBLE RECOGNITION \ Mr J. J. L. Burke then presented Mr Hoskins with an illuminated address and purse of sovereigns, the address, a particularly beautiful example of the illuminator's art. being the work of the Sisters of Charity. Mrs Hoskins was also presented with a bouquet by Mis« M. O’Gorman. Mr P. J. O’Regan paid a high tribute to the work done by Mr Hoskins. which he stated was particularlv valuable from its sustained effect. • It was only necessary, ho said, to look around on the splendid edifices ip the city, and to realise by an association of ifleas that these were largely duo to Mr Hoskins energy and ability. (Applause.) The Catholic sentiment stood for many things, and foremost amongst, these was that of Catholic education Catholics, always insisted that education was the primary right of the parent, and for this reason it was felt that the State had no authority to usurp that right. Largely through the co-operation of men like Mr Hoskins it was hoped that free education would soon ho available to the Catholic children of New Zealand. (Applause.) Messrs J. Scott ami W. F. Johnson also spoke.' FOR THE FAITH Mr Hoskins, who on rising to reply, was received with prolonged applause end the singing of “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow,” said that it had been very embarrassing to him to have had to listen to the very' kind hut, exaggerated hst, of hie virtues. They had charitably forgotten to catalogue bis faults, hut. if they were to ask Mrs Hoskins she would supply them. (Laughter.) Much had been made of what lie had done, but he always felt

that it was the bounden duty of every Catholic man to assist in as far as was to him possible in the promotion of the grand old faith to which it was their privilege to belong. (Applauee.) For anything he 1 had done he had been well repaid—-in the, knowledge that he had the appreciation of his fellow parishioners, and more than (repaid by the decoration which His Holiness the Pope had conferred on him. He bad perhaps done something for, Catholicism, hut there were others whose work had enabled him to carry on. He never forgot, and none of those present should forget that God had greatly blessed tho work that had been done. Further, without the hearty co-opera-tion of their Graces the Archbishops and clergy he would not have been able to do much. “When in addition to this,” said Mr Hoskins, “is added the work done by the Sisters and the Catholio laity, it does not leave much to me.” (Laughter.) “This evening,” be concluded, “will ever remain the most memorable one of my life. 1 again protest that I have done nothing to merit your kindness, but it is none the less appreciated for that fact.” (Continued applause.)

Cheers for Mr Hoskins, and the singing again of “For He’s a Jolly Good Follow” brought a very pleasant function to a close.