ASHBURTON

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXI, Issue 38, 17 September 1903, Page 19

ASHBURTON

There was an unusually large attendance at the meeting of the Ashburton Catholic Literary Society, held on Wednesday evening, August 26, the occasion being a social tendered to Mr. 11 . McSherry, who is shortly leaving for Pahiatua. Mr. Mueller (president) occupied the chair. The Catholic boys' schoolroom (says the ' Guardian ') was very tastefully decorated with flags and Chinese lanterns, and was furnished drawing-room fashion.

The chairman said they met that evening for the purpose of making a dual presentation— one from the choir and the Literary Society, to Miss Bournique, the church organist, who was about to be married, and one to their very great friend, M . McSherry, who was leaving them. They regretted Mr. McSherry's departure from their midst, but if that gentleman paid the same attention to business and other matters in his new home as he had done in Ashburton, he was bound to succeed. He had their hearty good wishes. Miss Bournique had been cry good to the Literary Society, and had come there often at great inconvenience to herself, to assist the members

The Very Rev. Father O'Donnell said it was due to him that Mr. McSherry came there six years ago, and he had always found him a real sterling man, and one whom he might choose to know and esteem as a friend. He wished him every success in life. But he supposed he had violated all feelings of good taste by referring to Mr McSherry first. But while Mr. McSherry was leaving them, Miss Bournique was not. She was going to be more firmly rooted in their midst than before. It was rather a coincidence that Mr. McSherry and Miss Bournique had assumed their respective positions just about the same time — Miss Bourniqaie as organist, and Mr McSherry as leader of the choir and master of the boys' school — and that they were resigning them about the same time. The presents he had to make to Miss Bournique consisted of a cruet and jam dish from the choir, and a butter dish from the Literary Society. Miss Bournique had been most regular in her attendance, and had been a most attentive organist, and he was very glad to see that the choir appreciated her services. For Mr. McSherry he had a brief bag, which he hoped would be filled very soon, and a gold fountain pen, the latter suitably inscribed, which would be useful to him in making out those bills which none of them particularly liked to ieceive lie wished Mr. McSherry a very prosperous career.

Mr. John Moison returned thanks on behalf of Miss Bournique, who had desired him to convey to the choir, and also to the menYbers of the Literary Society, her heaitfelt thanks for their beautiful presents.

Mr. McSherry said that, having been connected with the choir as conductor, for the last five oi six years, he could fully support the remarks which had been made concerning the services rendered by Miss Bournique as

organist It was deeply painful to him to part with the people of Ashburton. From the time he came here until now \. j , received uniform kindness at their hands and he deeply regretted parting with them, and more particularly with the Literary Society, of which he might claim to have been one of the founders. He desired to personally thank Father O'Donnell for the many kindnesses and favors he had received at that gentleman s hands. He was glad to have the opportunity of testifying to the esteem in which he held Father O'Donnell, and to thank him and them for their many kindnesses. '

Among the others who testified to the worth of Mr McSheny and expressed regret at his departure were Messrs. J. Moison, M. Moriarity, F. Scnnt, H P Madden, M. J. Burgess, D. Morianty, and T. Adams. A pleasant little musical programme was given during the evening, songs being contributed by Mesdames Mueller and Scrint, Mis May Madden, and Messrs M J Buigess and Mueller, Messrs. J. Moriarity and Cooper contributing recitations, and Mr. D. Crowe gramaphone selections, each item being evidently appreciated and warmly received. A capital repast was subsequently provided by the ladies. The proceedings closed with cheers for Miss Bournique and the singing of ' For he's, a jolly good fellow,' Mr. McSherry's friends taking their leave of him with characteristic warmth and keen regret.

On Thursday night a concert, under the auspices of the Ashburton County Brass Band was given in the Oddfellows' Hall, Ashburton, in the presence of a large and appreciative audience. The entertainment (says the 1 Mail ') took the form of a concert composed entirely of numbers of an Irish character, and was a pleasing variation from the usual amateur concert. Great credit is due to the Catholic Literary Society for organising and carrying it to a successful issue. Mr. A. Muller, the able president of the Society, presided. Among those who contributed items were Mr. J. J. Moriarity, who recited 'Fontenoy,' which was encored, Mr. J Healy who sang a comic song, Mr. P. D. Wilson, who danced an Irish jig, and Messrs. Wilson, Moriarity, and Healy, who took part in a farce, which was very creditably acted. Mr. T. M. Brophy, secretary of the Catholic Literary Society, and Mr. F. K. Cooper, stage manager, though not before the public eye, none the less assisted in the successful carrying out of the entertainment.