REV. FATHER TUBMAN.

Timaru Herald, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 12911, 28 February 1906, Page 6

REV. FATHER TUBMAN.

VALEDICTORY SOCIAL.

The Rev. Father .Tubman, who has been parish priest of Timaiufor the past fifteen yearsi purposes to leave for a visit to the Old World on Saturday, and his parishioners determined to give him before his de- * parture, a proof of their appreciation ofhis kindly and efficient services as paster, guide, philosopher, and friend. A committee was appointed to prepare and carry out a scheme to that. The committee were

very successful in both plan and execution. They adopted the idea of a popular social in 'the Drill Hall,. in the pro-

gramme of which presentations of an illuminated address and purse of sovereigns, were to) form the prominent items. The ideawas well supported- by the parishioners. and tickets for the social -were disposed of rapidly, and though many people-who took tickers were unable to attend the social, there was a large" gathering of both sexes at the Drill Hall last evening, and there were many .members of other churches among, them. The -number present was about.„9oo. The committee did not attempt to provide.seating for all comers, this was impracticable, and the several hundred . chairs supplied were.soon occupied, the gallery then seemed te be the next • popular place ;from which to take part- in the proceedings.. , Among these present were Rev: : Fathers Goggan and Kerley of Tenrnka, an.-i Fathers Le Floe and Finnerty of Timaru. Other clergy of the district' would havcbeen present but that to-day is Ash Wednesday, and they could not get heme in time for the duties of the day.. Displayed in front of the small stage •whereon the concert and speeches were given, were the addresses tp Father Tubman fromthe St. Andrewsi and Timaru con-] gregations. Both -were executed" in the same style and similarly 'framed. "-■ They are written .in black-letter,. «and nicely; illuminated. The Timarn address has j amongst its decoration a pleasant allusion to . ithe .. occasion of the presentation^—a Bteamer on the ocean from the map of New Zealand to that of and- the traveller's, starting point, Timaru,- and. his aim in Ireland, Baltimore, were marked sn the maps. The illuminations were appiapriately allusive) convolvulus on the Nw. Zealand side, arid- shramrock on the other. The work had been. very nicely done ,b « the nuns of the convent. Mr Flanagan announced that the first part of the programme consisted ei a few musical,.items, and no' Sme was tost in carrying, out this seetisn. Missas E. McGntnriess and Denneby.egened thesoncert with a . pianoforte solo,. and solos were sung by Sirs Venning, jun. 7 Miss .McGuir. : ness, Ees\. Father Finner%-, and. Messrs Murphy, . Jordan, and. C- Healey. -,., The songs were well given and;, cordially" applauded. " Miss E. McGuinness played the accompaniments. The two brass bands also assisted by playing up the street to the Hall and playing: some selecMons outsMe: Mr T. L. Harney, <:hairmaa. of the p*rishioners'xeonrmittee, then took charge, and the members of the committee and the principal guests toot fheir seats on the stagsj among the latter-being.the Mayor, who was •asked to rpresidej - Mr Wm. Evans) Mr'Jl : - 'Eaymond.- ■ v ~~r."-> Mr J,>G- Venningread: gram'being ftom the-Hon: W;" Hall- Joneis•who' regretted that he'oould not lem&i Wellington to be ■ present at the eehcl-ofß to> Father Tubmaiu - ! He-wished him a pleasant voyage and safe, return. Mr T. W ; Lynch then read the following address : "Very. Kev. and Dear Father, —On the!eve of the dear .laiidiof your birth, the Island, of: Saints and Doctors, we, your parishioners and friends, cannot allow the opportunity?to pass without assembling to wish you-'God-speed'-on what-appears to'-us-'a; pilgrimage of affection and duty. Parting, accentuates one's appreciation of the-fine qualities and virtues of a friend, and now,. Father," when.you, the friend of all, part ■with us,.your, many outstanding, merits,;, your of parochial "affairs, sympathy with the: distressed, and.' your practical help, to- those: in need, stand out in bold relief. Good men care .not toiiear -their virtues- extolled nor thehv good works .enumerated,, bait we take the siriceresb pleasure in calling t» mind some of the more noteworthy landmarks you ha.ve_, put down since you toofe charge of parish. Through strenuous efforts youc?have.obtained' a nucleus: of osrer "£4OOO for the building of a, net church in, Timaru, and deep and abiding; is our ■wish, toafc.- v^a r wfll be amongst us to ea>rry out the work to its completion, and realise the noble aspirations of your heart. The ■Priory and itV: surroundings have ■ attained their .present charming appearance by your unremitting' attention, and your foresight 1 and energy have led to the acquisition Of the sections adjoining'rfche Boys' School. The building of the pretty church at-St. Andrews, and the procuring'of a site, for a church at Washdyke are additional fruits of your administrative ability. Addresses are at the best faint pourtrayals of the. sentiments that' led to their compilation. Yet, rev. Fathpr, rthe spontaniety shown in their endorsement of the good feeling herein attempted to be expressed, not- only by your ownvqongregationbut by many leading .citizens who are hot- of your floclc. is eloquent testimony of the esteem, in which "you are held by the community. The sympathy and affection of your own parishioners is typical of that unity between piiesl.-and.pedple .that existed.and, still exists in the Old Land, and which we hope. will, ever •continue in this land of our birth, or,adoption. You have borne

the heat and the burthen of the aay :cr us during the past fifteen years, acd when you return from, the shrine of your faith Itnd the -cradle of your nationality we-hope to live Tinder your gentle guidance till you go on that journey for which your whole life will have been a fitting preparation. With ..warmest affection. we again wish you a happy voyage;" ■ The address was signed' ; on behalf cf the parishioners bv Thos. Harney (chairman). T. W. Lynch, P. Riley, J. Sullivan, M. Flanagan and J. G. Venning (secretary). 'ihe Mayor then addressed the gathering. In thanking the Committee for their invitation, he said lie had intended to be present in any case, to show his respect and esteem for Father Tubman, and he liighly appreciated the honour of being asked to make the presentation to him. It was difficult for him to say anything about a man whom most of them, knew so much better than he, but as a citizen he could say that he bad always looked upon Father Tubman as a good man and a Christian gentleman, and a man whose kindness of. heart and generosity bad made him as popular as the Father O'Flynn of whom one o£ the singers had .reminded them. In faet he bad never heard | that song of late yeais, withpnt its; j calling., up the figure of Father Tabman lin his mind. T-hs large gathering testified to She love and - respect in-which lie was held not only by ias- pariskSoners but by the" whole community of.. Timaruj and: he was sure' that Father-.Tubman did not leave a single enemy beliind. hiwu Personally, he thanked him for many sympathetic conversations regarding,.- the dif&uitdes of the Mayoral office, and- for sympathetic support"in- connection with public- celebrations over the South African war. On behalf of the parishioners ;<aid other" friends lie had much pleasure in presen&sg to 'Father " Tabmau a heavy purse? of sovereigns, acd he was assuretJ, by tiie- aaLiectors- that the subscriptions Sad been sjiven not oniy freely, but gladly, and as a %»ken ,of affection snd goodwill: The anVSCiit, he mentioned-, iras £l5O, and the peogie of St. fead also givasS' i 835. Sir | Cradgie added a personal _. raqcest- t&sfc : Father Tubasaß woold bring hiia back sokes shanwoek and a; .black-thorn ..stick., SJk ; Ctaigie also presented the framed address-. iHis speech was frequently avui !at the close 5e calledfor three cheers.fSo '.Father Tubman;, vrbxh the whcfe company [joined in giviug.

Tha secretary handed to Fatler" Xubmaai a ' list of 300 sirbscrrbers, of wfsffm, Isa; stated, 60 belonged to other denomination.?.

Mr iS. 6". Eiymomi' said, it piTe<;lii«a gleasurs to unite in testifving to the Tuncy '•s?od qnalities «*'" Fatlser Tiibman_ He,'hud: 'always found Mini a asan,.Trhose?!'arid and 'assistance in cases; of distress' and (Erficuity ; c«kil3 b* confidently relied upon;.' He:'men?tt«raed thirt on Bis recent visit to* Ireland. r thV haipjjiest • dsx; lie- Had there wss due |to-Si letter given lliim B»y father •Tufianan. to iliis* two sisters, who slsowed hin» round jthV neigMwurhoodf in the most cca-drecVand ■friendly manner. Fat&er Tubman lisd been ;a-' quiet,, law abiding; jfeaseabie citiaen; and ;had. always .done His- fcfflst to -unite affi memtnatownuaaid country into <&na cpm;muniiy-. JEe congratmbted Father Ion! .fife' be' wopJik'see- .in' 'th'e'-e'anise "of tls».ttiu3?;:l& kad"iahiTwnt for 1 wisSed' IS£nivV&i^leajiaiit.':t<rip;. jand- tjua>t_-ie ■_ w.oaKr come: back,; rejnwesated. j"; jfeETsms'spcfeeEofi Fafc&er Tubman; as ah fhonoaraWe, strsjgjifc audi good jpendent of his position as- a clergyman; and; 'as tba Mayor had siiii. the towcL would {be tba better if ■ there "were more like him. jHe joiaed sincersljv in the good wis&es that jhad bean .expresedl. • ""■' Mr J: Hole spoke.-1«) tflie same effleet. He. •recalled the assistance Fat&er- Tubman had jgiven him when; as- Mayor he tros> taking; ip'art in the .despatchiag> of the csutoiagents. fFatheff Tnbmaaj pwwihgt Mtnself f3ia most jjafcritosc of Tiaxaxai-k Gitirens.

Mr. H. B. Kirk said .he had never meit a more -upright minisfcear; and sgeoMng ce:an outsider, . whai measured Father Tubman: in a different way fr»m the meobeacs of hisloto flock, he would say he hadiixerer mci,, and never wiaEedl-fc» meet, a Better man. J He Teas. atrueEatieir O'Flynsti He hoged" that Father Tubsaaa would endeavour to* induce some gciod, Irish girls to> -come «ufc't to New.Zealand. Statistics showed that, males were auiclt ia excess of females i« the colony; and Mr Cragia» and himself' Tirere satisfied! wi±& their Irish,, a»d hs believed tiftey. would popular witii others. ■"■--'■■■'.

Mr :T. L. Harstey said Ibechad knoswi tie priests of Unaam for ovae thirty years, and had kao.wn none betJSBT,' than, Eat&jfr Tubman. Se joined the. gieyious. speakers in wishing him a pleasaafc journey, and a return in -Mgorous health! .' Rev- i Father Tubman saidl Tie? be less than human if he <Hd.npt feel, pleased, I and probd at that great demonstration,;; but he would! be irrational if. he he had merited; ft. It was aH' due. ta~tjieii kindness. He gave them, credit fca: good intentions, %ut was hot laolish enough to think he deserved it. Mi could not, however, help feeling proud of it, aadPthe more so that others than laembers «f his fiock were taking part in it. Whatever had been Ms success in that direction, he- had wished' to live in! friendship with every "member of the. community, and with every member of the' human race, for they, were all children of'one Father.'"" The members of his flock had always been loyal'to him and had made bis task light, and cheered him on, and so also had those outside, his congregations.-. In fact,", those outside had been more liberal.in help Eg bazaars and the like than his own people," and he took' that opportunity to thank them for that and all other kindnesses. He thanked, ssver-

ally, the. varioiis organisation concerned in arranging and cany ng on this demonstration, and. the speakers who had Leaped encomiums upon him, to a degree altogether out of proportion to his merits. Father Tubman went on to make a few remarks about Irish aspirations for political autonomy, in regard to which, the people were " Not understood,'" and the information cabled to the New Zealand newspapers about tlnm was often misleading. There must be something wrong in ■die management of the country when the people had no escape from poverty there, while they so readily gained a comfortable livelihood' in New Zealard. Returning to Timaru. he said he had aiwayi* taken a (Treat interest in the progress of the town, and was as proud of its advances as any of its citizens, and no one was more anxious to do his small part in helping itsprogress. He recognised that a man cannot take a prominent part in public affairs without being criticised, and Sir Cragie did not escape criticism as Mayor, neither did the King, nor even Mr Seddon. (Lausrhtei-.) He hoped when .he returned to find Mr Craigie engaged in carrying out the drainage scheme, without which Timaru could not expand safely. He again expressed his pleasure at the magnificent demonstration, and at the many friendly letters and telegrams he had received. He could not express what he felt, especially to these who were not of his flock: He would have felt a little disappointed if his own people had not said good-bye to him in some way, but that those outside big flock should" have contributed so liberally to such a grand send-off, overwhelmed him. He was leaving Timaru under very happy conditions, and l.e hoped it- was only for a s.i:ort time: Father Tubman concluded liis reply by quoting a patriotic Irish poet, altering the name to Timaru. He hoped to end his davs in Timaru.

A vote of thanks to the Mayor for presiding, proposed by Father Tubman, closed the formal proceedings at a quarter to nine, and a number of young people then distributed refreshments that had been provided. Tie whole i>roceedings were marked by cordiality, and enthusiasm. and good humour, and afforded an unmistakeable proof of the popularity of the guest of the evening -with his flock and the community generally. .. Father Tubman leaves Timaru on Saturday for the Old World, by the Suez route, and intends to visit Palestine. Cairo. •the and Rome on his way Home. He will return via America, probaßly within the vear.