DEPARTURE OF THE REV. FATHER MALONE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2825, 6 June 1895, Page 3

DEPARTURE OF THE REV. FATHER MALONE.

The Rev. Father Malone loft Temuka last evening, en route for Chrislchurch, where he has been appointed curate to the parish priest of St. Mary's. A large number of his friends, of whom the greater part were children, were at the railway station to see him off. It was not known until last Saturday afternoon that Father Malone was to be removed, aud consequently the time was too short to give him a befitting " send off." However, something may be done yet. But short as the time was, the children in the schools, with whom he was a great favorite, expressed their appreciation of his many services to them. The children attending the Kerrytown school on last Monday presented the rev. gentleman with a very handsome dressing case; the choir of St. Mary'a, Pleasant Point, gave him a writing case, and the Hoare Brothers a writing desk. Last Tuesday, at 2 o'clock in tho aftoruoou, ho attended the Tomuka school, another presentation awaitod him. Maßter J. Lavery read the following address : ", Rev. Dear Father,—We are indeod grieved to hear that you are about to leave üb. We thank you most sincerely for tho grept interest you have taken in us. Ploaae accept this little token, of our

love. Recommending ourselves to your prayers, " We beg to remain "Your affectionate children, "Ptrpii.B of St. Joskph'b Shool, ft Tmkuka." Masters Warelng and Rooney then presented Father Malone with a handsome walking -stick, and Misses Kathleen Twomey and A. Lavery presented him with an umbrella. Both artioles were silver-mounted, and had his name en* graved on them. The rev. gentleman spoke very feelingly to the children. He thanked them most sincerely for their very useful gifts. He was extremely pleased at this token of their affection lor him, and regretted very much that he was leaving them. He had always found them a splendid lot of children, aud it was always one of his greatest pleasures in life to be amongst them. Be was going away now, but he would not be very far off, and he would come to see them whenever he oould. He hoped they would get on well with their studies and pass the examinations, and he could assure them no one would rejoice in their success more than he would. After having spoken in this strain for some time to the children he gave them a half holiday, and spent the next hour or so playing with them in the school-grounds. It has always been Father Malone'a greatest delight to be amongst the children, teaching them all kinds of childish games, and consequently he was adored by them. Many of the children shed tears when he was bidding them

good bye. In the evening of the same day the members of the choir waited on the Rev. gentleman at the Presbytery, where Miss Connolly read the following address:— "Dbab Rkv. Fathbb,—lt was with feelings of the deepest regret that we heard of your coming departure from amongst us. We cannot allow you to leave us without showing in some manner our appreciation of the services you have rendered to us. We therefore beg your acceptance of our little gift. Hoping to be remembered in prayer by one whom we highly esteem, u We remain, " Tours respectfully, " Mkmbbks or St. Josara's Ohoib, « Tbhvka " Miss Quinn then presented to Father Malone a handsome travelling dock. In acknowledging the presentation Father Malone Baid he never knew he had deserved so much kindness. He wondered what the people of Chriatchurch would say when they saw all the nice things he was getting. He regretted leaving before he had carried out his intention of adding two pipes more to the organ, which would have made it an excellent instrument. He spoke In very high terms of Miss Quinn as an organist, and concluded by thanking them all very sincerely for their kindneus. It was very hard to leave people who had been so kind to him, but he trusted he would often see them.