WAVERLEY.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXX, Issue 22, 29 May 1902, Page 4

WAVERLEY.

(From an occasional correspondent.) A very pleasing little function took place in the presbytery of the Catholic Church here a few evenings Bgo, uhen the Rev. Father Johnston, on the eve of his depaiture to take charge of the Waipawa parish, to which he has betn appointed by hia Grace the Archbishop, was presented with a puise uf sovereigns hy the members of the congregation. Mr Leo, in making the presentation, spoke in high terms of the respect and ebt»'c-m in which Father Johnston had been held by his Waverley paii^hioners. His remarks were further txpre-pive of Father JuhnEton's popularity at* a pri< st with thoso who had the pleasure of knowing hi »,,Catholioß and noA-Catuolies nlik -■, not only as an nble nni el' quent preiwher, but also a 9 a ui«u of uutitiug eueryy ani z-al i'or tho bpirilual welfare

of all under his immediate care, especially the children. These sentiments were fully endorsed by 'a large number of friends present. Father Johnston, in the course of a feeling reply, returned his most sincere thanks to his Waverley friends for their great kindness to him on all oooapions during his stay in the parish. He had nothing but what was good to cay of the people of Waverley, and he would always look back with feelings of pleasure on his short residence in the district. la conclusion, he extended a hearty invitation to his friends in Waverley to call on him should they at any time visit Waipawa during his stay there. I understand that the Patea friends of the Rev. Father also presented him with a valuable souvenir. As an eloquent and forcible preacher the Rev. Father Johnston has few equals, and his loss will be keenly felt by the Catholics of thia district.