PALMERSTON NORTH.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXX, Issue 33, 14 August 1902, Page 19

PALMERSTON NORTH.

(From our own correspondent.)

rw m AngOßt 10. On Tuesday, sth mst., the past and present members of St. Patriok's choir met to present Mr. W. Gamble, who lately retired from the position of conductor, with an ebony walking stick with ivory handle and mounted with gold band suitably inscribed. The Rev. Father P. W. Tymons presided and also presented Mr. Gamble on behalf of the congregation with a purse containing £20. Mr. Gamble, who has held the conductorship for the past six years, has of late Buffered severely from an affection of the throat, and it was only on the advice of his doctor that he reluctantly relinquished his post.

Father Tymons, in a few well chosen words, spoke of the lorn sustained by the ohoir and the whole congregation by Mr. Gamble's retirement, and trusted that in accepting the purse he would not look upon it in any way as suitable remuneration, but as expressive of that esteem in which he was held. Father Tymons hoped that he would Boon regain his voice and health, and resume his position to the satisfaction of everyone. Mr Gamble, in thanking Father Tymons for his kind allusions as to past services, spoke of the grief it caused him to sever his connection with the choir, said he had only tried to do his duty, and that any Catholic blessed with a voice at all should at once be ready to use it for the service of God. If he got better he certainly should resume his old position.

During the evening songs were contributed by Mrs Anderson and Misses Rush and R. Oakley, and by Messrs V. Dallow, T. Rodgere, and P. Lomax, and instrumental items by Misses Scanlon and x Vatson and Mr P. Tombp. and the gathering, which was held in tae schoolroom, pioved a most enjoyable one. The ladies of the choir kindly supplied the refreshments.

A Bacred concert will be held in St. Patrick's Church next Sunday, at 3 p.m., on behalf of the organ fund, and it is to be hoped chat the necessary meaus of paying off all the choir's indebtedness will be well supported. Mr V. DaUow, who lately bevered his connection with the hardware staff of the United Farmers' Association to join the firm of Permain and Gilchrist, was presented the other evening with • eilver teapot, suitab'y engraved. On Saturday morning Mass was celebrated at nine o'clock for King Edward VII., and at 11 o'clock a united Coronation service wan held by the Protestant denominations in the Show Ground. Mr W. T. Woods, Mayor, laid the foundation stone of a handsome drinking fountain to be erected in the Square. At six o'clock a procession was held of the children and fire brigade, volunteers (mounted and foot) cadetp, terminating with a grand display of fireworks in the Square, and a huge bonfire. The town was crowded all day to see tne celebrations and illuminations, but everything passed off quietly and by 11 o'clock the streets were entirely clear of the noise of holiday makers.