PRESENTATION TO MR. JAMES CREAGH.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XIII, Issue 20, 11 September 1885, Page 19

PRESENTATION TO MR. JAMES CREAGH.

AT the usual fortnightly meeting of the Greymouth branch of the Irish National League, held at St. Joseph's schoolroom on Sunday August 16.— Mr. J O'Brien, president, in the chair-after transacting the ordinary businths, the pi evident, on behalf of the subscribers presented Mr. Jas. Cre<gh, hon. secretary, with a very handsome gold locket and guard (Imm the fiim of F. C. Dupre, Esq.). The locket bore the following inscription, which was handsomely executed and artistically arranged : " Presented by the members of the Greymouth branch Iri-h National League to Mr. Jas. Creagh, hon. sec March 17. 1885." He was aNo pie^ented with an addiess. The president spoke fur a considerable time of the good done by Mr. Creagh towards the National cause. He said the West Coast was noted for good Irishmen who made great sacnfices for their country, but he doabted if any other man on the Uo^st bad done so much good or made greater sacrifices for the land they all loved so well as Mr Creagh. He kept the Gje^ mouth branch together by his untiring labour and stric attention to business. During the four years the branch was in existence he was n. ver absent from a single meeting. Correspondence, which at ti-nes waß very heavy, he never neglected' and when his d *y"x labour wIS over he ofteu had a dozea letters to answer, instead of taking the healthy recreation which was necessary to give him new vigour to cany on his wo^k. He (the president) did not know another young man, or old man either, who would do it ; Mr. Creaah had to do it scores of times. He was sorry the presentation was not more valuable, but. considering the numerous calls that were on the mibsciibers' purses, it was very creditable to them. He (the pr> sident) hoped that the dawn of Ireland's independence was breaking, and, an everyone knew, that dawn precedes the day. He confidently hoped that that glorious day for which the greatest and noblest of theimce had suffeied and died was not far distant. It was the duty, then, of every man who deserved the name of Irishman to stick to the Irish National L ague until the happy day arrives that pms an end to Saxon misrule. Then Ireland will stand forth

Great, glorious, and free. First flower of the earth, first Gem of the sea. He wished Mr. Creagh a happy future, and hoped he would always keep the "token " as a reminder of the esteem in which he was held by his fellow-1. aguero. The president then read the address. Mr. Creagh in replying was visibly affected. He said this presentation was qniie unexpected on his part. Had he known that a subscription was started for that purpose he should have put a stop to it. when he undertook the duties of secretary he expected no fee or reward. It was to him a labour of love, and he only regretted that he could not devote m re of hie 'ime to try even in a email way to benefit his country. What aftei all were the sacrifices he made compared with the sufferings endured by the members of the Irisn National League at home? Nothing whatever. When men, the very flower and pride of Ireland, Buch as Parnell, Davitt, Dillon Harrington, Redmond, and scores of others equally as good were tried like felons and sent to piisou to sleep on plank beds ; when Patrick flgan had to fly rhe country with the funds of the League lest the English Government sb< uld rob them, and seek an asylum in France • such men as those it is that make sacrifices for their country's sake

They ought to be a bright example to us, for no great glory wasever yet attained without corresponding sacrifices. Mr. Cr agh the" thanked the members for their si m.l mark of respect, and said he would always treasure their gift not on account ot its intnnsic value, but as a memento of the affection and confidence that existed between himself and the members of the I.N.L. The following is the addiess : — " To Mr. J. Creagh, Hon. Sec. ot the Greymouth Branch of the Irish

( National League. Dear S J r '- From the establishment of the Greymouth Branch oi tne Irish National League to the piesent tune you have in a truly patriotic spirit gratuitously performed all the literary woik in connection therewith, which was rendered conside.ably more arduous than it would have ordinarily been bath t>y the visit to this .own of that distinguished young Irishman Mr. W. X Kedmond, i.P.and by your own removal to Bruunerton, a removal that n. cexsitated a journey on your part of sixteen miles . very alternate week so as to be present at the m.-eting of the league hel iin Greym-m h. It is no exaggeration to say that in all respects you h ive s ttisfactorily discna.ged the duties devolving upon you. Without your ever ready assistance the organisation could not, in so brief a period, have attained tne position that it now occupies, numbering among its members many ot the mo it influential gentlemen ot every denomination iv this district Therefore, in order to give practical eff -ct t • their appreciation of your efforts in behalf of the Irish Natt .nal League, the members of the Greymouth Branch desire you to accept tne accompanying testimonial and earnestly pray that you mty live long to enjoy it and to continue the petforuaanceof the duties connected with your office. " On behalf of the subscribers, faithfully yours, "Jas. O'Bhien 1 , President. J. MoLOtfKY. M. Moloney, Vice- President. K. Lodghc. M. Riokdan, Treasurer. Thus. P. O'D )NNBLL. W. Heffjsrnan. m. Phillips.