Hokitika.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXII, Issue 5, 4 February 1904, Page 5

Hokitika.

(From our own correspondent.) January 26. Great and widespread regret was expressed in Hokitika at the receipt of the news of the transfer of the Rev. S. Mahoney to (Jhristchurch. Father Mahoney's genial character and his eloquence in the pulpit won for him the esteem and aftoction of the whole parish. Although the time between the return of the Rev. Father Mahoney from the retreat at Chnstchurch and his final departure was so short the Children ot Mary inaugurated a farewell concert on Monday evening (25th inst ) to the rev. gentleman, at which all the parishioners who possibly could attended to bid faiewell and to show thenappreciation of him. During an inter\al of the performance Mr. Gribben, chairman of the church committee, made feeling reference to the departure of Rev. Father Mahoney and called upon Mr. J. D Lynch to read the following address to Rev. Father S. Mahoney, S.M. :— Dear and Reverend Father,— lt is with feelings of sincerest sorrow and deepest regret that we are assembled to bid you farewell on this the e\e of your departure from our midst Although it is but a short' twelve months since you came to instruct us and labor for our spiritual welfare, your unflagging zeal and kind sympathy have earned lor you the respect and love of the whole community. Coming to us so soon after the death of our much lamented and dear friend Father Malone, we were prepared to love and respect you as a friend and companion of his youth and priesthood, but, dear Father, your own bright and cheerful disposition, your genial words of advice, and your eloquence in propounding the word of God and instructing us in the way that leads to everlasting; life, soon endeaied you to us for your own merits It seems hard to realise that our worthy Bishop has demanded this saenhee at our hands : namely, that we relinquish all claim to you as our spiritual friend and' adviser. The fiat, however, has gone forth and we must obey. The good work you have done during your stay in Hokitika will long be remembered and appreciated by us, and we confidently aflirm, without 1 wishing to Hatter, that wherever your superiors deem fit to direct your labors, there the vineyard of our Lord will ripen and bring forth in abundance To the bitterness of departure we wish 1o add a little of the sweetness of a cherished friendship, and therefore, dear and reverend Father, we ask you to accept the accompanying souvenir as a very small token of the esteem and good-will we bear you In conclusion, dear and Reverend Father, we pray God that you may long be spared to minister to his children and we trust that ere long we may see you in our midst once more, if not to labor amongst us, at least that we may extend to you that fine old Irish welcome ' Cead mile failte.' Signed on behalf of the Catholics of Ilokitika and District. II Gribben, Jas. Toomey, J. McSherry, J. D. Lynch, E O'Connor. Hokitika, 25th January, 1904.

After the address had been read, Mr. Toomey, on behalf of the congregation', presented Father Mahoney with a purse of sovereigns, the voluntary donations of the parishioners. Miss Bourke (President of the Children of Mary), supported by Misses Foster and Hayes, read an address and presented Father Mahoney with a handsomq silver-mounted walking stick and silver-mounted pocket) book suitably inscribed. Messrs. Lynch, Toomey, and Mandl, and Rev. Fathers O'Connor (Ross) and Murray (Redemptorist) made feeling reference to the departure of Father Mcdiuney and the sonow of the people at losing him. Rev. Father Mahoney feelingly replied. He said he had been happy in his labois in Hokilika, but his superiors had called him away to do the work of the Lord in parts where it might be more meritorious. The Reverend Father, who was deepl y affected, thanked the donors for their kind and beautiful presents, which he said would ever remind him of the happy days he had spent in Hokitika and recall to his mind, if any time he might forget them, for a brief space, the true friends he was leaving behind. He concluded by saying good bye, but trusted it would not be good-bye but only ' au revoir.' Almost every item in 1 the musical programme was} encored. The overture was played by the Misses Murphy ; songs were contributed by Misses M. Murphy, Bourke, Groufsky, and Ward, and by Messrs. E. Dale, Ralfe, Coltman, McSherry, and (by special request) Father Mahoney ; violm solo by Miss Gribben, and recitation by Mr. J. Burke. Rev. Father Mahoney left Hokitika for Christchurch via Reefton, Nelson and Wellington, on Wednesday, and was parted with at the railway station by a great crowd of friends who had assembled to take the last farewell and receive his parting blessing. Three hearty cheers were given for Father Mahoney as the train moved out from the station.