OKATO.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXX, Issue 43, 23 October 1902, Page 4

OKATO.

(From an occasional oorreepondent.) ♦^V«f ft I h ! Ur S ay 1?^.81 ?^. B^ 6111^ 1 " 25 - on enjoyable gathering took place in the old Catholic Church, which had been very suitably decorated for the occasion with flags, evergreens, etc. The handBorne banner of St. Patrick occupied the place of honor, presiding at it were, over the proceedings. The object of the meeting was to make a presentation and say good-bye to Mr Lawrence Kavanagh and to his much-esteemed mother prior to their departure from the district Mr G. Carey Ben., havi, 1R been voted to the chair, made an introductory speech. The Rev. Father Oognet, SM, F P then prefaced the presentation with a few laudatory remarks on the guest of the evening Referring to hi 8 alerting qualities as a parishioner, as an Irishman, and as a member of the church committee.be singled him out as a most reliable and mort exemplary friend, one who, judging by the ptexence of so many old schoolmates, companions, and neighbors, would be greatly missed by the Cognet then presented Mr Kavanaph with a marble clock bearing the date and purpose of the meeting H e hoped that its uncaring ' tick ' I2S hfw^ r T m n ?u iD ?- ° f be , egteem in which he aijd his mother were held by the Catholics of Okato. «i™ Mr L - Kavan fK h . thanked the donors for the presentation and also for the good wishes proffered. Though he w..s leaving the district, he was not going very far, Manaia being only 42 mil-a away. He would, therefore meet th- m again, and this was hisonlV »%^ T' ln i ?l ac l n » lon > he t^t his parting with the priests and people would be keenly felt by him, and he would always retain happy memories of their many kiudue^ses Messrs M. J. Mcßeynolds (Pangarehu) and W. Gray al«o spoke of the loss sustained by the district in the departure of Mr OaTolSnraVeSbor. " Go^™»^ terms * ™ a After the presentation the remainder of the evening was devoted to a musical entertainment, iuteraper*ed with dances and the fascinating game cf ping-pong. aWs M. J. Carey and J. O'Connor wl* *T y BUCce8 1 fl ? 1 >n Iri » h step-dances. Mr! Metcalfe oontriS!r * 1 lteniß . whit!i i weie encored. Mr M. Mcßeynolds roused the Insh patriotism by his own modified version of 'The wearing of the green,' and 'Oh! tell me, Shaun O'Perrall.' Mewrs. £"»?. T ' ;C; C f rey ', J> Car P enter - W. Gray, and Misses A. and M Daly also contributed to the programme, and Mr Englefield gave X J nm °T B rr e ?i. tati ° n8 aDd a 80D^- R«fre B hmeutß wore then fcorldTuM ama in hG R» fch *'J u if.di-Per-ed after singing the tS lionored Auld lang B yne and giving three most hearty cheers for *?thZ t^VT^u Mf / Kav »™K° and Mr Kavanagh take they 2? h W K. bhe - ° f * lar^ cirol « ot friends, who hope