Presentation at Miller's Flat

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXV, Issue 4, 24 January 1907, Page 15

Presentation at Miller's Flat

, . (From.an occasional correspondent.) January 21. Some time " ago 1 had occasion .to report the loss St. Finbar's Church, Miller's Flat, had sustained in the departure of two of its prominent members, and again 1 . have to report yel- another loss in the departure af Mrs. Dully, of the postal Department, who has been transferred to- Hakuri, in the Wellington district. During the time Mrs. Dully has been stationed at Miller's Flat, she has taken a very lively interest in all church matters, socially and otherwise. She has looked after the Altar Society almost since its institution, she has attended to the Sunday-school, and she has acted in the dual capacity of organist and ohoinnistretjs, in fact in every manner she has .assisted in t«he aftairs of the church. The congregation of St. Finbar's have therefore in her removal suffered a severe loss, and, realising the extent' to which they- 'were indebted to Mrs. Duffy for her manifold services, they decided to recognise them in a practical manner by a small presentation. The— presentation took place immediately after , 9 o'clock Mass on Sunday .last, and was made by Father Lynch.

In making the presentation, Father Lynch said he had two feelings or sentiments in bis mind. Firstly, there was a feeling of pleasure— it was a pleasing duty for him on account of the person to whom he was making the presentation, and also on account of the congregation, on whose behalf he was making it— and secondly there was a feeling of regret— at was a sqrio\vful duty because they were losing the valuable services of the person, they were honoring. In the departure of Mrs. Duffy they were, hV said, in Church matters, losing a very valued person. The first obligation the Catholics of Miller's Flat owed her was the"' most important one, and was- in connection with the Sunday school, the deep interest she had taken -in the--little children, and the close attention she had ' given them in teaching them their religion. The second obligation was in connection with the choir. They all Knew the difficulty of otganising a choir, and when organised of keeping it together. Mrs. Duffy had organised a lit lie choir", bhe bad conducted it with credit to herself and the choir, and it was entirely through her efforts that the congregation was enabled to have Benediction. The third obligation was in connection with the church and the altar.', Almost unaided, Mrs. Duffy had looked after the care of ,the interior of the church, and kept It in that pretty condition that always excited the admiration of visitors. She attended to the wants and decoration of the altar week after week, and in other ways she had. done many kindnesses and many services for the Catholics of Miller's' Flat, and her place in the congregation would be hard to fill. He expressed regret on the part of Monsignor ..O'Leary, and said that whilst they were all sorry at losing her, at the same time they were pleased' to know that, in her removal, she was improving her position. He wished her every success and prosperity in her new position, and trusted' she would long be spared to continue in her useful career. — He had very much pleasure on behalf of the congregation in presenting her " with a greenstone and gold bangfle, and a greenstone and gold mounted cross and pendant, and although the gifts were but trifling, ■ they would remind her when she was in her niew position in Wellington of the time she had spent amongst them. Mr. J. H. Waigth, "jun., replied on behalf of Mrs. Duffy. Mrs.- Duffy was also tendered a public social by the residents of Mailer's Flat, and presented with a hand u some silver mounted lady's dressing case.

The great summer sale at Messrs. Herbert, I-laynps, and Co. is now on, and the whole of their enormous stock of drapery, clothing, furniture, etc.,- is to be disposed of at prices which will .insure a -positive clearance...

Our readers are invited to visit Messrs. Brown, Ewing, and Co.'s summer sale,' -which began on Monday last, and continues untiL February 2. Liberal reductions are mad© in all lines.... The select boarding and day school ■in connection with Rosary Convent, Oamaru, re-opens on February 4. Pupils of this school, which is conducted by the Domiivican Nuns, are prepared for Oxford 1 ' Local, Civil Service, and Matriculation examinations, and also for all musical examinations. Oama'u has a beautiful climate, ai*d its fresh, bracing air has a most beneficial eftect on delicate constitutions.,,.