Honoring a Marist Missionary

New Zealand Tablet, 19 January 1911, Page 125

Honoring a Marist Missionary

The Very Rev. Father Nicolas, S.M., Marist Provincial for Polynesia, on his departure from Fiji for Australia, received a most cordial, well-merited, and wholehearted tribute of affectionate esteem from all classes. The Town Hall (says the Fiji Times) was filled by friends of all denominations, and representatives of official, professional, and commercial life. Amongst those present were the Acting-Governor, the Colonial Secretary, the AttorneyGeneral, the Collector of Customs, the Receiver-General, the Mayor of Suva, the Right Rev. Dr. Vidal, S.M., the Anglican Bishop of Polynesia, the chairman of the Wesleyan Mission, Rev. Mr. Finlayson (Presbyterian Mission), etc. The Mayor said they were there to bid farewell to their worthy citizen, the Very Rev. Father Nicolas. His Excellency had kindly consented to make the presentation on behalf of the citizens. The chairman then read the address. It expressed the high esteem in which Father Nicolas was held by all aenominations. Each member of his flock could remember him as a father and a friend. Further high and feeling tributes were paid, and Father Nicolas was _ congratulated on the important office he had been appointed to. The address was signed by the Acting-Governor, the Mayor, Bishop Vidal, Bishop Twitchel (Anglican), etc. His Excellency presented the address, together with a purse of sovereigns, saying he esteemed it a great privilege to be allowed to do so, as it was a token of the community's feeling towards Father Nicolas. He was sure that in the future, as in the 21 years of his residence, the same earnest purpose and high endeavor would still characterise him and his work. Bishop Twitchel heartily endorsed the words of the address, and said he had the most appreciative admiration for Father Nicolas's justice, humanity, and tolerance. Bishop Vidal, Hon. H. M. Scott, and others also paid a tribute to the ability and earnestness of the guest of the evening. Father Nicolas, in heartily thanking those present for the address and generous present, referred to the kind appreciation and generous gratitude he had received in Fiji. He had tried to do his duty, and had always met with charity, kindness, toleration, and broadmindedness.