Presentation to Father Cooney, Lyttelton

New Zealand Tablet, 26 January 1911, Page 149

Presentation to Father Cooney, Lyttelton

(By Telegraph from our own correspondent.)

January 23. A large gathering of the parishioners of St. Joseph’s Church, Lyttelton, and their friends, assembled in the Lyttelton Club’s Hall.this evening, the occasion being a social gathering to the Rev. Father P. J. Cooney, who for the past ten years has been in charge of the parish, and who is leaving on a visit to Ireland and for a tour through Europe. The chair was taken by Mr. H. Anthony. The proceedings commenced with a progressive euchre tournament and several other amusements, after which refreshments were handed round. On behalf of the parishioners, Mr, J. Mahar (secretary of the presentation committee) presented to Father Cooney a purse of sovereigns, which had been subscribed to by every adult member of the parish, and an enlarged photograph of the group, taken at the annual picnic at Purau on January 8. An album entitled ‘Emerald Hours in New Zealand’ was also presented. The address inscribed in the album referred to the fact that the congregation could not allow Father Cooney to leave without some recognition being made of the large amount of work he had done in fostering the interests of the Church in Lyttelton during the past ten years. The thanks of the congregation were due to Father Cooney for the noble work he had done during his service, and for the assistance he had rendered to the various societies connected with the parish. The members trusted that on his return he would enjoy renewed vigor, and once again be fully restored in health to carry on his good work amongst the people.