A POPULAR PASTOR

Otago Witness, Issue 3542, 31 January 1922, Page 45

A POPULAR PASTOR

FAREWELL TO FATHER COFFEY. A representative committee, with Mr J. J Marlow as chairman. Mr T. J. Hussey as treasurer, and Mr J. 11. A. M'Keefrey as secretary, has been engaged for eomk weeks arranging a fitting send-off to Fathefr Coffey, on the eve of his departure for the Homeland. So as to permit of as great 4 number as possible of the Catholic citizens of Dunedin and of the friends generally, or Father Coffey to participate in a eufft able -valedictory, a garden party waa cided upon. This took place on Saturday afternoon in the grounds of St. Dominick Priory, and was attended by a large gather* mg from all parts of the city and suburb*. Ihe formal proceedings were carried out from a dais upon which were seated, beside* the guest of the occasion, the Right Ref', Dr Whyte (who presided), Rev. Dr Kelly! Rev. J. Delauy (South Dunedin), and Ref. Brother Purton (principal of the Christian Brothers’ College, Adelaide),, Alembers of the Hibernian Society in regalia were prtk tent, as were also several others of til* olergy, and members of the Testimonial Committee. Musical selections were given by bt. Joseph’s Glee Club, and choruses were nicely rendered by children from St, Vincent s (girls) and St. Joseph’s (boysj Orphanages. In calling upon the chairman of the Testis momal Committee to address the assemb* lage, Bishop Whyte wished Father Coffey a pleasant voyage, a happy holiday, and * safe return. He would be greatly missed, not alone by his own people, but by th* Community generally, in the public lifi and interests of which he had taken a very active part, But by none would Fat he# Gotrey be missed to a greater extent than by himself (the speaker). All would look forward to Father Coffey’s return to resum* nis fine work in the diocese, and, if pcssible, to add to the splendid record of well* which already stood to his credit. Air J. J. Marlow, in anpropriate term*, asked Father Coffey t.o " accept for his mother in Ireland a beautifully bound and mounted album of views of Catholic buildings which he had been inrCumental in erecting, and others with which he had been closely associated during his lengthy of service in Dunedin. R •! Hussey then presented Father Coffey with a cheque for £659. Thi* amount, Air Hussey explained, represented contributions from all over the diocese whicn had been given with a spontaneity and cheerfulness that was unsurpassed in his experience. There was however a stipulation attached to the presentation to the effect that the recipient must apply it to Ins personal requirements. Other gifts included a handsome travelling rug- from the Hibernian Society At the invitation of Bishop Whyte Rev brother Purtfen paid a tribute to the great , Fathe *', Coffey had accomplished for Catholic education. His name was known wherever tlie Christian Brothers were established, and gratitude was expressed towards him on all sides for having provided m the oitv of Dunedin not alone the finest, school of any in which the Brothers taught, but also the finest residence possessed bv them. As an ex-pupil of the old Rattray Street School he the speaker) Wa s naturally interested in the progress made in recent years, and he very greatly valued the opporgiven him of joining the large garnering on the present occasion to do honour to the popular pastor of Dunedin. On behalf of the local Brothers, who were absent oil holiday, he wished Father Coffey every happiness and enjoyment during his tour, and, on his return, many happy yeaig of health to carry on his devoted work in the diocese Father Coffey, who said he found it very difficult to express his feelings, thanked the various speakers for their kind sentiments and the people generally for the generosity they had extended towards him. not only on that occasion but also during tho lengthy .period of lis association with them whep pressing needs had to be provided for. On no occasion during his-experience in the diocese had the. people -failed to respond when the necessity arose for carrying any impoitant project to a successful conclusion, lie acknowledged with-gratitude the people’* handsome contribution towards his travelling expenses, as well as those of the clergy, Dominican nuns, and Sisters of .Mercy, die total amount being £IOOO. ■At Ihe conclusion of the proceeding* cheers were given for Father Coffey, who afterwards said good-bye to large number* who gathered around. Father Coffey intends leaving Wellington on Friday by the Ulimaroa for Sydney, and from there will voyage by the Orient liner Ormonde, leaving Sydney or. the 18th inet. Ho intends, besides staying for a time iii Ireland, to visit tlie Holy Land, Italy, France, and Belgium, viewing during nis tour the battlefields of the Allies. Alto gether he anticipates spending about 12 months abroad, and he purposes returning via America. lie will have as fellow-pas-sengert as far as Port Said (where he will disembark for Palestine), the Right Rev. Dr Brodie (Bishop of Christchurch), arid the Rev. Fathe- Schaeffer, S.AI., of Bt." Patrick’s College, Wellington; and from Sydney the additional company of Ihe Rev. Fathers Walsh and Dalton, of the Archdiocese of Sydney. Father Coffey will be succeeded by the Rev. J. Folcv, assistant priest at Oamaru, as administrator of St. Joseph’* Cathedral.

SOUTHERN MAORI ELECTION.

MR H. W. URU RETURNED. CHRISTCHURCH. January 25. The Southern Alaori election resulted as follows: H. W. URU (Government) 365 T. M. Erihana (Government) 250 U. T. Pirihama (Independent) ... 109 W. D. Barrett (Independent) 90 Air Uru is the youngest brother of the late member. He is 49 years of age, and has been for 20 years Native land agent at Auckland. At the last general election the result was as follows : J. H. W. Uru ... 376 R. Taiaroa 169 T. M. Erihana 97 IT. ATatiq t ,