Oamaru

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

Oamaru

St. Joseph's schoolroom (says the ' Oamaru Mail ') was rilled with friends of Mr. and Mrs. P. J. Dniggan on the occasion of the farewell given them previous to their departure for Windsor, where Mr. Duggan will talke utp his duties as master of the Windsor school. The attendance included a number of pa^t and present pupils of the school. Mr. J. Cagney occupied the chair, and there were also present Rev. Father O'Reilly, Messrs. Taylor (Windsor), T. O'Grady, P. Corcoran, O. R. Wise, E. Curran, M. Hanley, and R. L. Rule (representing the Caledonian Society). The Chairman said it was with mingled feelings of regret and pleasure that he rose tio apeak, regret at losing a teacher whom tiiey could not hope to replace, and pleasure at the thought that Mr. Duggan was improving his position. During the eleven and a-half years that Mr. Duggan had been teacher of the Catholic School he had done an incalculable amount of hard work, and had surmounted great difficulties. Mr. Duggan had not only kept up a high standard of education, but he had always been prominent in tjie encouragement of athletics, with the result that his scholars might be said to have an unbeaten record in the football field amongst the local schools. He was going to back up the sentiments of Mr. Duggan's friends by presenting him, on their behalf, with some good, solid gold. The purse of sovereigns—it was not a purse really, but a wallet— Mr. Duggan well merited, arid he (the speaker) hoped he would get the benefits from it tfoat| he deserved. The wallet would remain as a memento of the good wishes of the subscribers after the gold had departed.

Miss Donovan on behalf of the subscribers, then presentejd Mrs. Duggan with a handsome gold chain and pendant.

Father O'Reilly said it afforded him great pleasure to certify to the appreciation of the community for Mr. Duggan's work. They owed him a debt of gratitude, and in the name of Khe Catholic people and himself he tendered their guest the tribute of the sincerest thanks. He assured Mr. and Mrs. Duggan that they had tihe very best wishes of the parish for their future success. Their loss was considerably ameliorated by tjhe fact that Windsor was to be benefited, and he hoped Windsor would prove to Mr. Duggan a stepping-stone co greater success.

Mt. P. Corcoran made a few appreciatory remarks regarding Mr. Duggan's capabilities as a teacher, and ■wished him every future success.

Mr. T. O'Grady said it had been his good fortune to meet Mr. Duggan many years since, indeed he had rubbod sho,ulders with him more than 30 years ago, and had always found him one of the men it was a pleasure to nuet.

Complimentary speeches were also made by Mr. Han ley on behalf of the Hibernian Society, Messrs. O. It Wise, Rule, and K. Curran, the latter on behalf of the past pupils of St. Patrick's School, prevsentmg Mr. D'uggan Avith a handsome travelling bag and pair of gold-mounted sleeve-links The present pupils made a presentation of an umbrella and a silver pencil ca-sC Mr Duggan, in reply, said he felt entirely unworthy of almost "everything t'hatj had been said about him. When he remembered the many kindnesses he had recened on his ariival in Oamaru, and since, he felt gratified indeed. Father O'Reilly had expressed his appmiation of his lab,ors, and that gave him more pleasure than any presentation— it was an acknowledgment that he had s-ucceoded in his undertaking. He knew Father O'Reilly's ideals, and when he was assured that he haxl reached, or even attempted to reach, those ideals it gave him the utmost satisfaction. He had conscientiously labored for the advancement of his pupils, aim if they were a credit to themselves they would also bo a credit to him— of their honor a portion was his own He was proud of his nationality and he always had the greatest respect for those infused with lo\c of country. He concluded by conveying the thanks of j\lrs. Duggan and himself to the subscribers for their handsome presents and their no less acceptable good wishes

The proceedings, which were enthusiastic throughout, closed with rousing cheers three times three for Mr and Mrs 1 . Duggan, followed by ' For he's a jolly Rood fellow.'