Diocese of Christchurch.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXV, Issue 17, 3 September 1897, Page 5

Diocese of Christchurch.

(From our own correspondent.) PRESENTATIONS.

On Monday evening week a representative gathering of the parishioners of St. Mary's met in the school hall to present to the parish priest, the Rev. Father Marnane, a splendid oil painting of himself. This painting is the prize won by St. Mary's parish in the tug-of-war which took place on St. Patricks Day at Sumner between Barbadoes street and St. Mary's parishes, and it was given by Mr. Joseph De La Hunty, Christchurch. Speeches were made by Messrs. Joyce, M'Carthy, Cooper. Me Adams and De La Hunty, to which Father Marnane responded.

On the same evening at the ordinary meeting of St. Patrick's branch, No. 82, of the H.A.C.B.S , the branch delegates to the late annual district meeting presented the local Society with two hand-somely-framed groups of the representatives at that meeting. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the donors. An offer from a past officer to present the Society with a framed group of the repreeentatives that met in the conference in Wellington in 1888 was also accepted with thanks.

At a social gathering of the H.A.C.B.S. held in the Hibernian Hall on Friday evening last presentations were made to Bros. P. Burke and W. Rodgers, jun. The former was in the shape of an illuminated address, which was nicely written by Mr. A. H. Hart, and a Past President's collar and the latter took the form of a walking-stick, inscribed as follows :— " W. Rodgers, H.A.C.8.5., Christchurch." The following is a copy of the address :—": — " To Bro. P. Burke, P.P. Worthy Sir and Brother,— The officers and members of St. Patrick's branch, No. 82, as a mark of their esteem, friendship and appreciation, desire your acceptance of this testimonial and P.P. collar in recognition of the valuable services rendered by you during your term of office as President of the Branch. We recognise during the twelve months you occupied the position an earnest desire to do all that lay in your power to advance the welfare of the Society. All your energies were centred on that point. That you succeeded we all fairly acknowledge. To you is due the credit of having raised the status of the Branch to a higher plane. In accomplishing this, we feel it has been at a considerable personal sacrifice, and this small acknowledgement inadequately recompenses you for the time and trouble spent in the cause of Hiberniauisin. While ever anxious to adhere strictly to the rules laid down for your guidance, your decisions were tempered with equity and an impartiality which won the confidence of all the brethren. Though perhaps financially and numerically we have not made any great strides, yet it must be admitted it is due mainly to yoir clear perception, cool judgment and influence that we occupy the position which we now hold. In conclusion, it is our earnest desire that you may prosper in all your undertakings, and as the years roll by and you cease to take an active par£ in the business affairs of this life, that you may live long to enjoy in the bosom of your family that rest and comfort which you have so well merited and deserved." The address was signed by J. Greshain, the president ; Charles Courtney, vice-president ; J. R. Courtney, treasurer ; George J. Sellars, secretary ; and Robert H.iyward. past-president. The presentations were made by the president, who, in a few well-chosen words, eulogise 1 the services rendered to the Society by Brothers Sellars, Hay ward, Nelson and others, and also bore testimony to the work done and the interest taken in the Society by the recipients. Brother P. Burke, in a very able speech, which traversed the history of the Society almost from the time he joined (some sixteen years ago) up to the present, acknowledged the honour conferred on him. Brother Rodgers also thanked the members. This brother has been promoted in the railway service and is leaving early next week for Invercargill. The following toasts were proposed and duly acknowledged :: — '• Brothers Burke and Rodgers," " The Chaplain " (from whom a letter of apology for unavoidable absence was received), " The President and Past-officers" and " Members of the Society." A number of musical items by Brothers Curtagne. McNamara, Walley, Gresham and others brought to a close a most enjoyable evening.