Rangiora

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXV, Issue 51, 19 December 1907, Page 31

Rangiora

(From an occasional correspondent.) f«n A V > eX £ ,f n i°y abl .e conversazione was held in the Oddfellows' Hall Ranpiory, on Thursday evening, the 12th inst. to welcome home Father Hyland after his trip to the Commonwealth, South' Sea Islands, and Samoa The rev. gentleman returns entirely recuperated after a holiday of nearly five months. The Mayor (Mr. Relph} occupied the chair, and in a few well-chosen remarks £? 5St? r.? c , PPcL c , asure H ™* s 1 o himself personally, to Father Hyland 's congregation in particular, and to his*-- many friends in Rangiora in general, to see him back again in their midst, hale and hearty. He referred to the strenuous life of Father Hyland in eet*£fLT r T i? UCh a lar « e riisiri ct, including RangioYa, Fatw w£ IT"' Und Oxford - Alt *ougff he missed fn mt Hj la £ d VCty ■ mucll > he had some compensation in making the acquaintance of Father McManus whom he esteemed highly, and although he most cordially 5 6 Sw w ather Hyl^ d bßck ' *c would *> glad to 1Z Father McManus remain". As a presentation had been made- to Father Hyland before his departure, they would on this occasion ask both rev. gentlemen to accept a little souvenir each. ' Miss Ilia Jones then came forward and presented the Mayoress (Mrs. Relph) with a beautiful spray fcpuquet, with which she 'seemed very much gratified/after which Miss Bessie Boyd presented Father Hyland ■wit-n a .set of silver table appointments. Miss Ilia Jones presented to Falter McManus a solid silver travelling clock and morrcco pocket-book and purse " combuied. Father Hyland, in returning thanks, said- he always found the Mayor a true friend and safe counsellor,- often having benefited by his advice Both canie to Rangiora about the sane time; and from, ihe first acquaintance the mutual friendship seemed to grow and increase. . In referring to his work, he said that although arduous at times, it was lightened by the hearty co-operation of his people. ' \

Father McManus said that, in taking Father Hyland s place for a few months, he was surprised that they thought of giving him a souvenir. He found the place m such perfect working order that there was little difficulty in keeping it going ;- the only trouble was that Father Hylaud, being yofcng7 strong, and energetic, had made the pace so fast that at first he (the speaker) found it difficult to ' keep up with it. An impromptu programme was then gone through, consisting of vocal and instrumental music and recitations after which a very dainty supper was served by the ladies, at which Mrs. Onmsby Jones presided