Presentation to Father Howard.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXX, Issue 2, 9 January 1902, Page 3

Presentation to Father Howard.

On Friday evening a meeting was held in St. Patrick's Schoolroom Oamaru, for the purpose of saying good-bye to the Rev. Father Howard, who had been transferred to Milton, and presenting him with a tangible expression of the appreciation of his labors whilst in the district. The news of Father Howard's transfer to Milton (says the North Otago Times) had been received with regret in all parts of the parish. Mr. Cagney presided over the meeting, the attendance being very representative. In opening the proceedings the chairman said he was thankful for having conferred on him the honor of being in the chair, an honor doubly great that evening on account of the respect in which Father Howard was held. It was unnecessary to state their object in being present. The meeting was a fruitful one because it was their opportunity to show the esteem in which they held their guest. They had lost him for a while He had been in Oamaru for six years or so, and during that time his work had spread its roots into every house in this part of the Dunedin diocese, and that evening it had burst into a luxurious growth, and was bearing its fruit. The Rev. Father Delany would however, make an excellent substitute for him. They all believed that Father Howard would not be long in making friends in his new district. Should he ever return to Oamaru he would be reoeived with open arms. Mr. G. Leslie, in a pleasant little impromptu, endorsed what Mr. Cagney had said, and though not a member of his Church, he would say that he was very sorry when he heard that Father Howard was going to leave. He hoped he would be sent back to them again, and in that he was expressing the wishes of many. Sergeant O'Grady said a more popular though a young priest he had not met in the Colony than Father Howard. Apart from his manner, which had endeared him to many, his kindliness of disposition and his knowledge of the wants of the people had made his ministrations most valuable. The poor of the parish had in him lost a good and liberal friend. Milton was a large and prosperouß parish, and to go there was promotion to Father Howard. He wished him success and many friends in his new parish. Mr. O. R. Wise said Father Howard was the sort of man who B ade men better than they are. Mr. P. Corcoran said he was sorry that their guest was going away, and hoped he would be as popular in the south as he had been here. Rev. Father Delany added his testimony to Father Howard's worth, which everyone in the parish had also expressed to him privately. He hoped to be like Father Howard, and if he succeeded in that he would have a certain amount of confidence that his work would be successful indeed. Mr. J. B. Grave added his word to what had been said, and so did Mr Watson. With a pleasant little homily, Mr. Cagney presented to Father Howard a substantial purse of sovereigns, amid cheering The Rev. Father Howard thanked the speakers for the kind things they had said of him, which he felt rather expressed what he should be than what he was. The generosity of their gift was quiet in keeping with that ardor of faith which had raised in Oamaru such a fine lot of buildings as the Catholics had. When the means of the people who had done all these thiDgs were remembered it was the greater testimony to that ardor of faith. He had always been so warmly and cordially received by the members of the Church in the parish as to make him feel how warmly he was regarded everywhere. He was glad to see some Protestant friendß present, whom he had met in his hours of relaxation. In visiting the homes of the poor he had seen many proofs of their charity. The very soul of Christianity consisted of the spirit of oharity. He thanked them for their many kindnesses, and much respect paid him during the years he had spent in Oamaru, years he would ever remember as most happy, He again returned thanks for the kind references to himself, and for their handsome gift. He warmly commended to them his successor, Father Delany. Music was contributed by Miss Ford and Mr. Ford, and recitations by Mr. P. J. Duggan and Mr. Ford.