Presentation to Father Tubman at St. Andrews.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9, 1 March 1906, Page 19

Presentation to Father Tubman at St. Andrews.

(From our Timaru correspondent.)

The Catholics of St. Andrews assembled in large numbers on Saturday evening last in the Public Hall to bid farewell 1o their popular pastor, Rev. Father Tubman, prior to his departure for a well-earned trip to the Old Country. The gathering was a representative one, and on the stage were the leading residents of the district and members of the church committee. The proceedings throughout were enthusiastic and hearty. Mr. D. Callaghan, chairman of the church committee, presided, and, in opening the proceedings, stated the object of the gathering which was to give to their pastor a loyal send-off on his well-earned holiday. They were all sorry to hear that Father Tubman's health required recruiting through overwork for them, but as it was so, they were determined to make his holiday as enjoyable as possible, as far as lay in their power. He then called on Mr. A. Wilson, to read the address, which ran as follows :—

' Very Rev. and Dear Father,~On this, the eve of your departure on a well-earned holiday to the land of your birth, .we, the Catholics of St. Andrews, gladly erabtace the opportunity afforded, to majnifest to you our appreciation and gratitude for the unceasing care and attention you have given to our scattered district during the past 14 years. The solicitude you have ever displayed for even the humblest member of your flock, and your untiring devotion to our spiritual, aye, and even 6ur temporal welfare, have endeared you to all, and, although it is not our thanks you seek, still, we should £eel ourselves wanting in gratitude if we did not, on this occasion, manifest to you those deep feelings of devotion and loyalty as a

priest, and respect and confidence as a man "with which you have inspired us. To recount TiEe" many weary miles you have travelled to bring us the consolations of our Holy Faith, and to dwell on the many acts of kindness which each one of us has received from your generous hand, would doubtless be distasteful to you. But we cannot refrain from mentioning that standing monument for all time- of your brilliant administrative qualities arid unflagging energy, the beautiful church of which we are all so justly proud. We would ask you to accept the accom-* panying purse of sovereigns as a small token of -the sincerity of the feelings we have endeavored to express, and we pray that God will bring you safely back, perfectly restored in health, to continue long your life's work amongst us. Wishing you God speed, we beg to remain, Very Rev. and Dear Father, ever affectionately yours, Denis Callaghan, J. Dillon, J. O'Laughlin, Patrick Ryan/ Martin Sullivan, Patrick Kennedy, A. Wilson (secretary). The address was splendidly illuminated by the Sisters of the Sacred Heart, Timaru. Mr. A. Wilson asked Father Tubman to accept the address and purse of sovereigns as a small recognition of the large debt of gratitude they owed him. He was supported by Mr. J. O'Connor, one of the oldest settlers, who gave a short history of the parish from its inception, its early struggles, the help afforded by non-Catholic friends, and the strong lead given by Father Tubman, which resulted in the present satisfactory condition— eight or nine acres of Church property, a handsome and substantial building, and >a satisfactory credit balance. He lightly touched on the - difficulties and hardships which had to be overcome in serving such a widely spread district, and concluded by wishing Father Tubman bon voyage, a pleasant time in the land of his birth, and many happy years with them on his return.

Rev. Father Tubman, whose rising was received with loud applause, said their beautifully worded and illuminated address he would ever cherish, and their geneious monetary offering would enable him to enjoy his holiday to the full limit of the time allowea' him. Words were indeed but feeble things to express the feelings with which their thoughtfulness overwhelmed him. lie wished them all every blessing, and would remember them in his prayers during his absence, which after all would only be temporary. They would be looked after in the meantime by Rev. Father Bowden, and he was sure they would profit, by his absence. Rev. Father 1 Bowde-n expressed his pleasure at meeting the St. Andrews people, and hoped he would get to know them well during the few months he would be with them, till the return of their popular pastor. Mr C. 11. Besley and Mr. Bush (stationmaster of St. Andrews), as non-Catholics, eulogised the guest of the evening as a kind friend, and a good citizen ; one with whom it was a pleasure and an education to come in contact. A short musical programme was gone through, consisting of a pianoforte solo and a song by Miss M. Cameron. Some step dances were given by Messrs. McCarthy and Kennedy to violin music supplied by Mr. It. Hoare. A choice supper was laid in an adjoining room by the ladies of the parish, and a short Inast list was honored.