WAIHI

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXI, Issue 38, 17 September 1903, Page 20

WAIHI

(From our own correspondent.) September 5. Last night in Meyer's Hall the choir and congregation of St. Joseph's Catholic Church tendered a farewell social to Misses Bella and Adelaide Parkinson, who are leaving Waihi. Despite the terrific downpour of rain in the early part of the evening there was a large number of friends present. During the evening Mr. H. L. Simmons, on behalf of her friends, presented Miss Bella Parkinson with a handsome gold cross and chain, and Miss Adelaide Parkinson with a handsome gold brooch. In making the presentation Mr. Simmons referred to the willingness and heartiness with which the young ladies had always entered into any work in connection with the church. The Rev. Father Brodie replied on behalf of Misses Parkinson. He read a letter from the Very Rev. Dean Hackett, in which the dean apologised for his own and sister's absence, and eulogised the good work of Miss Bella Parkinson while he was parish priest of Waihi. Father Brodie said that when he first came to Waihi the Very Rev. Dean Hackett had told him he would find several young workers who would lighten his work, and Miss Parkinson was one of those. He had been here long enough to know that in her departure a place would be left vacant which would be hard to nil. Miss Bella Parkinson had done good work in teaching Sunday school in the days when there was no resident parish priest, or no convent or Catholic school here. She had always been a most consistent worker in the choir, and it was with a deep sense of regret they bade her faiewell that night. He wished the Misses Parkinson all health and happiness in their future home at Opotiki. During the evening songs were contributed by Rev. Father Brodie, Mr. B. Humphreys, Mr. F. Lawless, Mr. S. Paul, and Miss Blackburn. Miss Fortzer played the accompaniments. Light refreshments were provided by a committee of ladies.