Presentation to Father Tormey, Onehunga

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXIII, Issue 9, 2 March 1905, Page 6

Presentation to Father Tormey, Onehunga

The very high esteem in which the Rev. Father Hormey is held by the people of Onehunga (says an Auckland paper) was shown in a very marked manner by the large audience which assembled in St. Mary's Hall a few evenings ago. Not only was every available seat filled, but la-ge numbers had to sta,md. The chairmain of the committee (Mr. Nixon) occupied the chair, and called ufpon Mr. Vance to read the following address, which was signed by Me-ssis. R. Vance ii. Kearin, sen., T. Crisp, 11. Clarke, D. McCarten, j'. Patton, H. McUehan, N. Hutchison, (i. Cutts, K. Donovan, J. Nixoin, H. Kearin, jun., W. Kemp, sen., J. Shaldtick : ' Dear Rev. Father.,— Having heard that you are about to leave us, we, the undersigned members of the Church of the Assumption, Onehunga, on behalf of our beloved pastor and the congregation generally, sincerely regret that the exLg-erfcies of the Church should have occasioned your transfer from amongst us so soon. Before leaving, however, we desire to testify to you the very high esteem and admiration we feel for you as a devout priest and spiritual guide. Your untiring zeal for the welfare of the Church can never be surpassed, and has, we assure you, bocn highly appreciated. You have endeared yowrself to the congregation by the kindly interest you have taken in the spiritual welfare of each individual memiber, and the host of friends you have tjhus made will not sioon forget you. In conclusion we can only again express our sincere regret at your departure, and pray God that you may long be granted good health to continue your holy and priestly lal>ors. On behalf of the congregation, we now beg you to accept this purse of sovereigns.' The chairman then handed Father Tarmey a pjurse of sovereigns and the address, which whs beautifully framed and illuminated, and said it was a very small token of the lo\e and esteem felt for Father Tormey. Father Tormey's work was as highly appreciated at Ellerslie as it was at Onehunga, as was shown by the presence of many friends from Ellerslie. Muah of the success of the presentation and address was due to Mr. Vance, who had initiated the movement, and he deserved the thanks of all for the interest he had taken in the matter. Mr. J. F. Smith, of Ellerslie, said he had been deputed by the pari&hione-s of EHerslie to present Father Tormey with a purse of sovereigns as a mark of their love, respect, and esteem. The people of Ellerslie were exceedingly sorry to lose Fa the Tormey, who had been a true friend and adviser to them, and they all wished him every success and happiness. Mr. Shaldrick said, on behalf of the Children of Mary, he had beetn asked to present Father Tormey with a travelling rug. Father Tormey, who was very heartily received, said he felt overwhelmed at the kind presentations made and the kind things saul. He felt altogether unable to express his feelings as he would like to, and say ail he felt towards them. He had only tried to do his duly as their priest, and any success he bad had was due to the liearty way in which they — the people of the congregation — had co-operated with him. The same thine; could be said of Ellerslie, and indeed throughout the parish he had met with the greatest respect and assistance.