Memorial to Father Walter McDonald Panmure

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXII, Issue 16, 21 April 1904, Page 29

Memorial to Father Walter McDonald Panmure

The first practical step towards the perpetuation of a good man's memory was taken on Easter Sunday (says the Auckland ' Herald '), when the Right Rev. Dr. Lenihau laid the foundation stone of a new cluuch about to be erected at Ellerslie by the residents of that and surrounding districts as a memorial to the late Rev. Father Walter McDonald. The universal love and esteem in which Father Walter was held during his kindly and unselfish lifetime were exemplified in the numerical strength of the gathering, as also in the purpose for which they were met. Panmure, Howiok, Ellerslie itself, and Auckland city were all represented! The Bishop was supported by Monsignor Paul, the Rev! Fathers Patterson, Tormey, O'Hara, Holbrook, and Furlong, and amongst other prominent citizens present were the Hon. Thos 1 . Thompson, M.L.C., Mr. F. Lawry, M.Hj.R., and Mr. Justice Cooper. The church committee (Mr. J. C. Carrington, chairman) was also strongly represented. His Lordship having performed the ceremony of laying the stone (presented by Mr. Frartk Harris), said t'h/at for 22 years his memory went back in his association with good Father Walter. He recollected when he (tihe Bishop) first came to Auckland that he was placed under Father Walter. To be under Father Walter was to strive to do what was right and good. He had an easy way with him, but he (Bishop Lenihan) understood him in the four years he lived with him, and of all the men he had known he could not say he had a greater respect or love for any than for him 1 . And they, Father Walter's old friends from Ellerslie, Panrmure, and Howick, and the whole of Auckland, were there that day to join him in a token of respect and love for that good man in laying the foundation stone of a church erected for the honor of God, and at the same time to perpetuate the memory of Father Walter. The church would not be called by his name, but it wiould be known to them all as the Fatiher Walter Memorial Chapel Many ,/times he had met those who were not members of their Church, and had found amongst them a fondness for Father Walter that surprised him beyond imagination. Father Walter was' ever noted for his high moral«conduct, sterling virtues, and the greatest charity. He stood as it were on a pedestal foir years, was seen and known by every class and every denomination" in the community, and no one could ever throw a stone at him. And this was why those Who had the honor of knowing Father Walter had such love and such respect for him. Whilst at Home he heand the sad news of Father Walter's 'death, pud though ho could not, then, in person, pay his tribute to the good man's memory, he was at least g^a'd that he was able to do so on that occasion, and to |oin ■with those present in that tribute to the lasting iiiemory of one of the best men who ever set foot in this large city of Auckland. The Rev. Father Patterson, who originated the scheme for the erection of the church, gave a brief address, lie said wherever one wont in the Colony, and more especially in the Auckland district, people all smoke of Father Walter as the kindest of pnest.s and the greatest of men Mr F Lawry, MHR, aridressine; the gathering, said he fcnin-d it almost impossible tc express his pleasure at being present on so har/pv and auslpu ions an occasion It had been his privilege to be acquainted with Father Walter ever since he (Mr'Lawiy) landed in the Colmy nearly forty years ae;o Thr friendship then established between them had unrnod with age, and continued until Father Walter's death Tie endorsed all the Bishop had said of the go<>d priest During tube proceedings a collection was taken up and generously contributed to, Father Patterson announced that "it had resulted in £fi2 12s M The total amount subsenbed to date towards the cost of the church (lP.cludine a few pounds promised) v> «us thus increased to £155 l!)s 6d