PRESENTATIONS TO THE REV. E. P. O'DONNELL.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVIII, Issue 22, 31 May 1900, Page 20

PRESENTATIONS TO THE REV. E. P. O'DONNELL.

In our last issue we reported that the Rev. E, P. O'Donnell, who had been stationed at St. Joseph's Cathedral, Dunedin, for the past year and a half, had been recalled by his Bishop, the Right Rev. Dr. Byrne, of the diocese of Bathurst, N.S.W. It is needless to say that the news of Father O'Donnell's approaohing departure was received with feelings of the deepest regret, not alone by the clergy, but also by the laity of the Cathedral parish, by whom he was held in the highest esteem. After Mass on Sunday, at the Church of the Sacred Heart, Qreytown, the Catholics of the district took the opportunity of saying good-bye to Father O'Donnell, and also to present him with a substantial acknowledgment of his labors amongst them and evidence of their regard, in the shape of a purse of sovereigns. The presentation was made on behalf of the congregation by Messrs. Hackett and Columb, both of whom expressed their own regret and also that of the Catholics in general at the loss sustained by them in the departure of Father O'Donnell, who, during his connection with the district, had endeared himself to all by his attention to the spiritual wants of the people, and by his pleasant and amiable character. Father O'Donnell, in replying, thanked the people for their generous gift, and expressed his regret that he was about to leave Dunedin, where he had just come to know the people and appreciate their many good qualities — their loyalty to the Church and their generosity. Wherever it was his fortune to be stationed he would always remember with pleasure the time he spent in Dunedin, and would never forget the warmheartedness of the people of Greytown. After Vespers on Sunday, at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Mosgiel, the congregation presented Father O'Donnell with a beautiful and costly rug and dressing case. The presentation was made by Mr. Quelch, who spoke in very feeling term 9of the re*gret felt by the congregation at the departure of Father O'Donnell. On behalf of himself and the congregation he tendered Father O'Donnell their best wishes for his future welfare, and prayed for his success in the new sphere of labors to which the voice of his ecclesiastical superior had called him. Father M. Ryan (of Holy Cross College) was also present, and referred in complimentary terms to the sterling worth of Father O'Donnell. Father O'Donnell. in the course of a brief reply, referred in grateful terms to the unfailing kindness he had met with at the hands of the people of MosgieJ, thanked them for this fresh evidence of their goodwill, and wished them a full measure of every blessing. On Monday evening the pupils of St. Dominic's Convent High School entertained Father O'Donnell at a concert, and presented him with a number of costly and equisitely bound volumes. At the meeting of the Dunedin Catholic Literary Society on Monday evening the Rev. Father Murphy, president, took occasion to present, on behalf of the members, to the Rev. Father O'Donnell a very fine stationery case in Morocco leather, suitably inscribed. The president said Father O'Donnell had endeared himself to all during his sojourn by his unselfish labors, and the members were desirous that the Rev. Father should carry away with him some small mememto to show their appreciation of his noble and devoted work amongst them. Father O'Donnell in reply thanked the members very heartily for their handsome present. He would carry aw»y, he said, fond recollections of the people of Dunedin and especially of the young men. He was Borry to leave but had to obey the orders of the higher powers, and would keep the case as a token reminding him of the happy hours spent with the members. On last (Wednesday) night Father O'Donnell was entertained at a social gathering in St. Joseph's Hall, which was tendered by the members of St. Joseph's Cathedral Choir.

Messrs. Sievwright Bros, and Co. report the sales of the free hold, furniture, and stock of the Scotia Hotel, Dundas and Leith streets, from Mr. Cooksley to Mr. J. O'Hallern ; the Peebles Hotel, near Oamaru, from Mr. J. Parker to Mr. J. Islip, of Maheno ; the Palmerston Hotel, Palmerston, from Mr. Malcolm Allan to Mr. Edward Smith, recently of Waikaka ; also the Gore Coffee Palace, furniture, stock, and leasehold to Mrs. Stewart, of Riverton. — 4 %