A HEARTY WELCOME

Patea Mail, 13 November 1939, Page 2

A HEARTY WELCOME

TO REV. DR. De LARGEY * In the Druids’ Hail on Saturday evening, there was a large gathering of friends of the Rev. Dr. De Largey, to loader him a hearty welcome back to Paten, '//here ho spent a portion or his boyhood. Mr. A. P. De Largcy, manager of the Bank of New Zealand at Putaruru, and at one time manager of the Patea brunch, and Miss Pat De Largey were also present, as were His Worship the Mayor, Mr. E. F. Hemingway, and the Mayoress, and Mr. and Mrs. F. Ramsbottom.

His Worship the Mayor, in a brief and happy speech, tendered a cordial welcome to Dr. De Largoy on behalf of tic citizens of Patea. As when he had last seen him he was a small boy, he still thought of him as Reggie, and n-.v as Dr. Dp Largoy, said His Worship. Patea was proud to think that cne of her former boys had had the grit and determination to study as Dr. De Largey had done. His life was a sterling example for other young nun', to follow. Ho wished him every success in the future. The Rev. Father Rohan endorsed the Major’s remarks and said he would also like to tender a hearty welcome to me Rev. Dr. DcLargey and Mr. Largey. Mr. De Largey, when in Patea was a good citizen, doing good work for both church and State, help ing the church and helping the farm,SS. The fact that Dr. De Largey had been chosen to go to Rome showed that 1c had talents out of the ordintrv, gain.ug his degree as Doctor oi m.ooiogy. . His first thought on arriving back in New Zealand was for Patea, and they were all delighted to welcome him back, their only regret being that his stay was so short. He wished the Dr., Mr. De Largey and family every happiness and prosperity. Mr. F. Ramsbottom also tendered a hearty welcome to the Rev. Dr. De Largey and his lather and sister. Dr. De Largey was, he beleived, the youngest Doctor of Theology in the Dominion. He wished Dr, De Largey and the De Largey family every good wish for the future.

Mr. T. Back also tendered a hearty ‘welcome to the guest of the evening as an old boy of the Convent School. On behalf of the old pupils he wished him every success in the future. Mr. Geo. Williams congratulated the Rev. Dr. De Largey on his well merited success, and tendered him a hearty welcome to Patea. On behalf of his many friends he asked him to accept a wcl Millie d wall/et inscribed, with their very best wishes for his future welfare and happiness. The Kev. Father De Largely, who was received with full musical,honours, said he had to thank the previous speakers for their very kind remarks, and those present for the very cordial welcome accorded'him. It was indeed a pleasure to come back and meet his old friends, many of the younger ones having so grown up that he did not re -1 cogniise them, As- a matter of fact when he landed in Auckland he found his two sisters so grown up that he did not know which was which. Dr. De Largey then proceeded to give his hearers a brief and very interesting account ,of his experiences in Eome and elsewhere, which included short sketches of the people he had met, including His Holiness the Pope, whom he. had frequently seen, both prior to his being raised to the Pontificate and after, and Signor Mussolini, whom Dr. Do Largey described as a very short man with a very pleasing manner, ami one who always kept bus audience in good humour when Speaking. Incidentally, Dr. De Largey mentioned that Mussolini had transformed Rome, pulling down many thousands of insanitary buildings and replacing them with modern homes. 'The roads in Italy were among the best in the world today, too. “Where .the money comes from for these works I have not the slightest idea,” said Dr. De Largey. Describing the Propaganda College at Rome, where he spent five wearse, Dr. Do Largey said the college was an international one, students from all na : tions attending including Japanese and Chinese, who fraternised together in spite of thoir countnies being at w<tr. Dr. De Largey also gave some details of a visit ho paid to Lourdes, a place which is attended by thousands of pilgrims, where the presence of 'God is felt in a remarkable manner difficult to describe. In Prance, Belgium and Italy in particular there were definite signs of a re-birth of Christianity, in fact the Church had stopped Communism in Belgium.

. Dr. iE'e Largely stated that he was in England when war broke out and it was a. curious experience to have to go down into a cellar when an alir raid warning was given, particularly as one had not a gas mask then. It was particularly trying on the nerves of the people, who he thought would likely crack up if they had this experience often. In conclusion Dr. De Largey thanked those present for the welcome accorded him and for their handsome gift. ■ • -—rmim Mr. Do Largey in a brief speech also thanked the gathering for the hearty welcome accorded Dr. De Largey, Miss Dc Largey and himself. During the evening one of the best programmes ever submitted to a Patea audience was rendered, the following contributing: Mrs. Corbett, song; Miss Winchester, recitation; Mr. T. Pack, song; Miss Quickenden, dance; Mrs. W. Owen, song; Mr. A. Edser, song; Miss McQueen, song; Maori Quartette, song. A bountiful supper and the singing of Auld Lang Syne, brought a happy evenig to a close.