Reefton

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXIII, Issue 13, 30 March 1905, Page 5

Reefton

(From an occasional correspondent.) The Hibernian Society's annual social gathering, ■which was held on the evening of March 17, was one of the most successful functions of the kind ever held in Reefton. During the evening Messrs. M. O'Malley and C. McManus were presented with past president's diplomas in recognition of the zealous manner in which they had carried out their duties as officers of the society, as it was chiefly owung to their untiring zeal aiw energy that the branch is in the flourishing position m wfcich it is to-day. In asking Mr. McManus (who is leaving the district to take up his residence a4> the Butt) tio accept the gift the secretary, Mr. A. Carroll, made reference to the loss the society was sustaining. in the departure of so energetic and enthusiastic a menvber, a a he felt sure it would indeed be hard to replace him, ma concluded by wishing him, on behalf of the Reeition branch, long life, happiness, and prosperity in his new venture in the other Island. The Greymouth

branch, was represented by Bros. Conway anS Duffy,, anfci the West|p,ort branch by Bro. Murphy. The other friendly societies were also represented. During the evening Mr. Morton! charmed the audience with two vocal items, • Leonore ' and ' Alice, where art thou.' On Sunday afternoon, March 19, the ceremony of blesising the monument, which had been erected by the parishioners to the memory of the late Very Rev. Dean Rolland, was performed by the Rev. Father Gallais, who, in the course of his address A made reference to the rmany good qualities of the departed priest, who had labored so as>sidiuously in the paris<h for twenty years. Mr. J. G. Heslop als!o spoke of the sterling qualities of the late Dean. He toad known him for many yeartr in fact ever since the early Says of the Coast, had travelled with him over the hills and gullies, and no braver man ever carried a sword, and he felt stire they were to-day honoring the memory of one whose equal it woulid 'be foar'd to find. Mr. E. J. Scantlebury (County Chairman) also spoke a few words, saying that he had known and respected the late Dean for many years an|d wosuld travel many miles tio be present at} the erection of a monument to one whose memolry was 1 held in such hign esteem by his fellow-citizens.