A PARISH FESTIVAL.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13943, 1 July 1909, Page 6

A PARISH FESTIVAL.

: —. . ♦ '•; ■ - V A POPULAR PASTOR. The Feast of St.'John, the patronal feast of the" Rev. Father was celebrated last evening : by a large gathering of members of the Parisli and Rev. Fathers ICerley, Smith and Le Floe (Tomnlca), and Rev. Brother Egbert were also present. The spacious rooms of the girls' school -were thrown into one, and were nicely arranged for a. social evening.; The principal items in the _ programme were presentations to the Rev. Father, one by the ladies of the Altar Society, Children of Mary, and St. Anne's Guild, and the other by the Hibernian Society. The former consisted of a beautiful set of vestments, of chaste and simple design but. richly embroidered: the -latter of a handsome gift of plate. The; presentations followed an address congratulating the Rev. Father on the progress-made during the past year, and testifying to the admiration and respect felt by all for their revered pastor. , Mention..was., also made of the hope that the. ensuing year would witness the commencement' of the erection of the new church. , Father - Tubman, wild was received with loud apolanse, . expressed his thanks for the. handsome gifts and the rood wishes that accompanied them. He wa3, he said, at one with them in hoping that the new- church would soon be put in.hand. The plans were •now in Dunedin for ilie preparation of specifications,' and J) e hoped to be able to invite tenders, .for the work at an early date. It had been stated during the evening that he topk ; a deep interest in. the; welfare of .the parish, rind consequently of the town. He would now sav that all things being equal hti believed in preference'to lowvl -tradesmen, when works of this description were to be undertaken. . A. food programme arranged bv Mis* E. Dennebey was contributed to by Mrs J. G.. Venninrr, ■ Miss McGrath', and Messrs Jordan, Snllivan and„ others. Mr Coombs, of Tenrokn. nlayed several cornet sol«vs,' his rendition - of "The Lost Chord" being beautifully mellow throughout, , and the . finale given ..with mncli spirit. He was wnrmlv applauded for this sit/*™, and had to give another itenu v ments were. provided on a lavish sc»le bv the ladies of the parish: and all the arrnnc' vr nente : . .made for the comfortand enjoyment of the many guests left nothing to be desired.