PRESENTATIONS TO FATHER MAHONEY.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XX, Issue 43, 12 August 1892, Page 27

PRESENTATIONS TO FATHER MAHONEY.

(Nelson Mail, August 2.) Se&ebal presentations were made to the Very Rev Father Mahoney yesterday in honour of his birthday. The pupils of St Mary's boys' school presented him with an address beautifully illuminated on porcelain. The boys at the Orphanage also presented an illuminated address, and the girls at St Mary's scboola gave a very pretty china tea service. In the evening there was a meeting at the Presbytery to present an add rase from members of the congregation and from other friends of Father Mahoney. At the request of Mr Hunt His Worship th» Mayor made the presentation. He said that a greater or more esteemed friend than Father Mahoney he had not made in Nelson. He had known him ever since his arrival, and his predecessor, Father Garin , had also been his friend. Father Mahoney had followed in the footsteps of his predesessor and had carried out his duties as a minister of the Oospel in the same way. Father Mahoney was not only respected and loved by his own congregation, but was respected and esteemed by the whole of the citizens of Nelson and those living in the surrounding districts. It was impossible to speak to any one about St Mary's or about the Orphanage without Father Mahoney's name being mentioned, and everyone had a good word to say on his behalf. They should feel proud that they had among them a clergyman who was so much respected by his fellow-citizens. He was a man of large heart, into which bigotry never entered. Of this he was sure from the years during which he had known Father Mahoney, and from the good actions that gentleman had done to those outside his own religious denomination. He hoped it would not be the last birthday celebration of the sort at which he would have the pleasure of being ] preßeut, and he hoped that Fatner Mahoney might live long, enjoying good health and taking care of those under hie charge. He was sur» that in so speaking he was only echging what was said by numbers of the very rev gentleman's own denomination and the members of other churches. Jokes had sometimes been made about Father Mahoney being Bishop of Takaka, and without wishing the removal of any of the New Zealand bishops he hoped to live to see Father Mahoney elevated to a higher sphere. He had much pleasure in handing to him a handsome address, engrossed by Mr Topliss, and a purse of sovereigns. The Mayor then read the address which was as follows :—: — •'To the Very Rev W. J. Mahoney, 8.M., Bector of St Mary's, Nelson. "Very Rev and Dear Father.— Some of your congregation and several other friends desire to offer you their congratulations upon the occasion of your birthday, and to wish you many returns thereof. They also beg you to accept the accompanying purse of sovereigns as a small token of their high esteem and regard for you. It was the intention of the subscribers to have presented you with a horee, but upon reflection they thought it best to leave the selection of the animal to yourself. They hope you will soon find one suitable to your requirements, and that it will prove useful in the many journeys your duty requires you to take. Wishing you every blessing and happiness in the future, and with the assurance of our appreciation of your many most estimable qualities, we are, Very Rev and dear Father, yours faithfully," [Signed by 46 residents of Nelson,] The Very Key Father Mahoney said that he would have to ask the prayers of those present that he might be granted humility. He had received several presents that day, but the one then given outstripped all that he had expected. Mr Trask had said so much about him that he feared that he was far below the estimate which that gentleman had formed of him. He was exceedingly gratified for the beautiful present, in wnich he had no doubt that Mr Hunt was the prime mover, as he was in all good works. He had now been in Nelson for seventeen years and he thought that his friends would begin to wish that these birthdays did not come round so quickly. He was glad that his friends overlooked his imperfections and only looked at the bright side of things, but he could say this, that during the years he had been here there was not one person in or out of his Church whom he could not look in the face. He had no remorse of conscience as to his dealings with anyone. In this, as Mr Trapk had said, he had tried to follow in the footsteps of Father Oarin. Those who had made the presentation must have known his weakness with regard to a good horse. He would devote the money to the purchase of one, and every time he rode or drove it he would think of the donors. Those outside his congregation had always treated him respectfully, and all had a good word for the institutions with which he was connected, and which had no object except to give a good home to the children. He had received nice presents from w'the boys and girls, and if he lived long he would find it difficult to • know what to do with his gifts. Father Mahoney concluded by paying a tribute to the invariable readiness of his Worship the Mayor and his family to do all in their power to relieve distress. Judge Broad desired to express gratitude, as a member of Father Mahoney's congregation, to the members of other denominations who had met to do honour to him, and through him to his people. They

were proud to know that he was so widely respected. He was glad that the Mayor had undertaken the task of making the presentation both because his Worship could do it better than he could, and because from his long intimacy with Father Mahoney it was not easy to say what he would like to say. If His Holiness should at any time make Father Mahoney a bishop he hoped that he might be their bishop. Mr Maginnity, as one of those who did not belong to Father Mahoney's congregation, desired to express the high esteem in which he was held outside bis own church. His monument was to be found in the schools and orphanages.