ARCHDIOCESE OF WELLINGTON

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXVI, Issue 9, 5 March 1908, Page 14

ARCHDIOCESE OF WELLINGTON

(From our own correspondent.)

™, - February 29. The strength of the ties that bind the' pastor to his flock was very much in evidence- on Monday evening,- when the parishioners of South Wellington assembled to fill St. Thomas's Hall in honor of .the Rev Father Ainsworth, .who leaves for Holritika to-day. Among the .audience were the Yen. Archdeacon Devoy, and- the Rev. Fathers Hickson, Moloney, Herbert, Herring, Finnerty, and Hartley. The first part of the function was a concert programme, items to which were contributed by the Rev. Father Adnsworth, Madame Carlton, Misses G-allagher, A. and R. Segrief, and Mr. Reade. „ Selections were given by Mr. ' W. McLaughlin's orchestra, and" an Item by St. Anne's choir, under the baton of Mr. D. J. O'Keeffe. .

At the conclusion of the concert Rev. Father Herbert spoke briefly of the great regret they an felt at the departure of Father Ainswortn. During his stay with them 1 he had done "wonderful work, and in leaving their midst he carried with him their .best wishes for his future well-being. Father Herbert then called upon the school childcrem to make their presentation, which was accompanied by a beautifully worked address. The choir presented Father Ainsworth with an address amd a framed photograph of the members. The presentation from tine parishioners consisted of an address" and a substantial purse of sovereigns:* — Mr. M. Andrews, act/ing as spokesman, said that "if, one desired to see a monument to the zeal, tact, and ability of Father Ainsworth as an ' administrator, one had only to look at the churches and the schools of the parish.- _As a priest they prized .him everywhere. There were hundreds to whom he "had been indeed a guide, philosopher, and friend',^; and there were .many who, like himself, had received through the kindly .Father's ministrations that priceless of gifts, the gift iof the . true faith. The parishioners would ever remember their, late pastor with fondness, and "would always be glad to give him a hearty welcome should his mission, again) lead him into their midst. ... . On rising to reply the Rev. Father was 1 accorded a most enthusiastic "reception. . He. said that the occasion, was one when words were not able to express thoughts It w&s only natural that he should feel sorry at leaving them. Wjhenj he came as their parish priest ' it is true there' was much to be done, and since . ifchen . they had done much. The glory was not all flis. 'He was but the guide, the head who, without' the co-sopiera-tion of the people, would have been but little successful. He was gotfng now to labor in his own country among a peoiple ' whose generosity and piety" were known throughout the Dominion. There he, was sure of a kind reception, but still he was sorry- to leave his old parish. He thanked them most heartily for such a spontaneous outburst, and said he would always remenv ber with kindly feelings his association with the parish; of Sotfth Wellington. ' : " ' , /. The nineteenth half-yearly meeting of the Catholic 1 Club was held on Tuesday evening. - . There- was ~ a. large attendance . of . members, over -whom Mr." Gasey

presided. The Yen. Archdeacon -Devoy and Rev. Fathers Kimbell and Yenning were present. ' The Yen. Archdeacon "was accorded a hearty welcome on his return from Europe., Speaking to the motion for the adoption of the report, he said it gave him great pleasure to ■see that the club was making such rapid progress. His' former position as Marist Provincial had taken Mm away from Wellington a good deal, and he was therefore prevented from.' doing for the club as much as he would have wished. Now, however, that, he was to be located at Newtown he hoped to be of more service. The election ■of officers resulted as follows :— Patron, his Grace Archbishop Redwood ; president, Very Rev. Father O'Shea, S.M., V.G. ; vice-ipresidents, Yen. Archdeacon Devoy, Rev. Fathers Moloney, Kimbell, and Yenning, Messrs. Martin Kennedy, C. P. Skerrett, J. J. Devine, M. O'Connor, E. J. Fitzgibbon, and A. 11. Casey ; hon. secretary, Mr. J. McGowan ; hon. treasurer, Mr. M. J. O'Leary ; executive, Messrs. J. J. G r ibbs, P. McGrath., A. Searle, H. Seward, M. O'Kane, F. Eller, E. T. Ryan, A. Amodeo, and N. Cromibie ; hon. auditors, Messrs. E. J. Fitzgibboiu and F. P. Kelly. A new rule was made constituting life meiralxers. As a reward for his services, Mr. H. Mc'Keowen was elected the first life member. During the. evening presentations from the club were made . to the Rev: Father 'Klmbell as a miark of the esteem "m which he is regarded, and as a slight recognition/ of the good work he did for members. It was resolved to donate £5 towards the expenses of the club's delegates to the Eas'er Conference of Federated Societies at Auckland.Speoial reference was made by members to the splendid work of Mr. O'Leary as treasurer of the club during the past term. - - The Senior Scholarship in Mental Science this year has come to Victoria College for the first time. The winner is tine Rev. Father Bartley, of the staff of St. Patrick's College. Needless 1 to say we are proud of the honor. Among the successful students in the- 'degree examinations were the Re^ r . Father Graham, who completed his B.A. degree, and the Rev. Father Gilbert, who passed the first section. The 'death occurred on Friday at her residence, Ellice street, of Mrs. J. D. Fitzgerald, formerly of Greymouth, and one of the pioneers of Westland. Deceased was in her 75th year.— R.l.P. News has been received of the death at Dresden of Miss Gertrude Grace Skerrett, youngest daughter of Mr. P. J. Skerrett, formerly of Hastings, and sister of Mr. C. P. Skerrett, X.C.— R.I.P.