WAIPAWA.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXI, Issue 22, 28 May 1903, Page 4

WAIPAWA.

On Tuesday evening (says the ' Waipawa Mail ' of May 16) a very pleasing ceremony took place at the Catholic presbytery. It was the presentation to the Rev. Father Johnston of a very handsome gig, along with an address. Ihe secretary of the presentation committee, Mr. M. Murray, after a few preliminary remarks read the address, which ran as follows :—: —

'To the Rev. Father Johnston,— On behalf of the Catholics of your parish we desire to express our feelings of the reverence and esteem m which you are held by your parishioners. Since we have been associated with you, you have ever been attentive to our spiritual requirements, and we view with pride the good works you have accomplished since you took charge of our parish. It is pleasing indeed to record the fact that feelings of true love and friendship exist between pastor and people. We trust that the bond of love which now entwines us will ever be the same. As a token of regard in which jou are held we have thought fit to present you with a gig, to assist v ou in carrying out your many duties amongst us, and we trust you will be spared with us to wear it out, and if we are blest with such a fortune we will be only too pleased to present you with another. We hope you will receive this small token in the spirit it is given, which we assure you is an expression of our admiration lor v ou as our parish priest.' The Rev Father Johnston in the course of his reply, said he sincerely appreciated the kindly feeling which had prompted his congiegation to make this presentation. The presentation was not necessary to convince him that the people of V\aipawa were kind-hearted, for during the past .year he had received many maiks of the people's tegard and esteem He thanked them for their kind and useful present, and for the kind expressions in the address vist lead, and spoke most feelingly of the kindly relations existing between himself and his parishioners.