BLENHEIM.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXV, Issue 6, 7 February 1907, Page 12

BLENHEIM.

St. Patrick's Hall (says the c Marlborough Herald ' of January 29) was well filled with an. eager, enthusiastic audience last night, who had assembled to hear an address on Home Rule for Ireland by - Mr. J. T. Donovan, one of the Irish National delegates now visiting the colonies. The Mayor (Mr. E. H. Penny), who was accompanied on the platform by Fathers Pay and O'Reilly, Messrs. R. McCallum, A. Wiffen, H. ■V. - Browne, F. Shaw, J. Barry, and C. O'Sullivan, said he had great pleasure in welcoming a" distinguished visitor from Ireland. Before calling -on Mr. Donovan to place before them the facts concerning Home Rule, they had a little pleasing duty to perform in the way of presenting two addresses to the speaker, one fro>n* the citizens of the town and another from the Hibernian Society. The addresses were read out by the Town Clerk and Mr. Curry respectively, and presented 1o Mr. Donovan. That from the citizens of Blenheim was signed by the Mayor and ahout forty osher proir-inent residents of the town and district. The address from the Hibernian Society was signed on behalf of the members by Bros. A." Curry' (president),' G. W. O'Sullivan (secretary), W. Morrison (treasurer). ' Mr. Donovan said . that he was profoundly gratefur and deeply touched by the presentation of t,wo beautiful addresses. He expressed his warm thanks to the Mayor and Town Clerk and the leading citizens for their interest and presenting him with an address on behalf of the burgesses. He likewise thanked Mr. Cuiry and the Hibernian Society for their generosity

and the kindness which prompted them to tender him an address. He thanked one and ail,- from the Mayor downwards, for the flattering welcome accorded him. The present would be the last address given by him in Australasia. • - After, some musical selections by the Hibernian Band,, the 'Mayor called on the envoy to address the audience. From the few words they had heard,, they could realise he__ was an orator. His country .was •• almost a guarantee of that. He felt quite sure - Mr. Donovan -would be able to touch their heartstrings. Mr. Donovan then delivered an eloquent address similar . to that given in the South after his arrival, and fully reported in our columns. At its conclusion the Mayor said "he was confident of -the justice of Ireland's demands, and that the National Party,' s efforts would be crowned. with sucqess.After a selection of Irish melodies by the band, Councillor Wiffen, in a sympathetic . speech, referred, to tho unavoidable absence of Father Holley through a sad bereavement, and moveJ : - ' That this meeting begs to' tender a very hearty vote of thanks to Mr. 'Donovan ,for his very able, eloquent, and scholarly address, and assures him of its deep sympathy with the cause of Home Rule for Ireland, of which he is so able an advocate Mr. R. McCallum seconded the motion, ; and referred to Scotland's claim for self-government. The. , motion was , carried ay acclamation. Mr. Donovan returned thanks in a . brief speech. A vote of thanks to the Mayor and • God . Save the King' closed a most interesting and instructive evening, which passed off .smoothly and harmoniously, and on the success of which all concerned are to be heartily congratulated. ~ . " To say iihat the address delivered by Mr. Donovan was a liberal education on matters pertaining to the good or rather bad, or no government*, of Ireland would be to put the matter in the baldest .fashion (says the local ' Herald '). Mr. Donovan, as a speaker truly said, inspires his hearers as he goes along. We can truly say that no audience in Blenheim was ever so thoroughly carried away by a lecturer before, and no hearer came away who not only was not fully cpnvinced but felt enkindled in his .breast a just indignation and resentment at the treatment meted out to the Irish Mr. Donovan made of his subject all that a great artist . makes of', his canvas when he sets about reproducina; there some great and worthy subject. Some of his periods were th^se of a rhetorician and logician of the highest standing. His- earnestness and eloquence are beyond all qtiestion, and - the audience that - for nearly two hours were carried away by both will never forget the intellectual treat that was afforded. . . •