Palmerston North

New Zealand Tablet, 23 February 1911, Page 339

Palmerston North

(From our owu correspondent.) February 19. Our highly esteemed pastor, Rev. Father _ Costello, returned from his holiday in the Auckland district on Saturday last. The North Island Band Contest, the most successful yet held, came to a conclusion on Friday night, or rather the early hours of Saturday morning, and terminated full of surprises, the two Wellington bands carrying off the prizes, viz., the Garrison in A grade, with the Besson Shield and the Championship, and the Tramway Band in the B grade. The Wanganui Garrison only secured the Quickstep competition. This band, a great favorite locally in spite of the judge’s decision of 3rd place,' coming after Waihi Federal, carries with them the good wishes of everybody hero for better luck next time. Inspector J. O'Donovan, who has promoted to the charge of the Invercargill police district, left with his family for the south on Thursday, taking with him the best wishes of the townspeople, A meeting of the parishioners of St. Patrick’s Church attended in large force at the schoolroom on Wednesday evening to bid farewell to Inspector and Mrs. O’Donovan. Father Quealey, who presided in the unavoidable absence of Father Costello, explained the purpose of the meeting, and presented Mrs. O’Donovan with a solid silver tea service'and the Inspector with a handsome travelling rug. Reference was made to the Inspector’s assistance in Church work, and his keen desire to give advice and assistance to all who needed it. Dr. O’Brien and. Messrs. W. Devine and M. J. Kennedy also referred to the good qualities possessed by Mr. and Mrs. O’Donovan, and wished them success in their future sphere of work. Mr. O’Donovan suitably replied, thanking the parishioners for their handsome presentations and the kindness extended to Mrs. O’Donovan and himself during their residence in Palmerston. In the course of a leading article the local Standard of February 16 says: —The extraordinarily high opinion entertained by all classes of the community for Inspector O’Donovan was demonstrated this morning at a valedictory gathering. Although the notice of the gathering was short there was an exceptionally large attendance of business men and members of the various professions, and the speeches of appreciation formed a unique testimonial much more valued, we are sure, by the departing officer than any more tangible appreciation would have been. Reference was made to Inspector O’Donovan’s character by representatives of the law, the Church, the Chamber of Commerce, the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, the District Nurse Association, and many other institutions to which help has been given. Inspector O’Donovan has recognised the highest possibilities of his calling, and the testimonies given this morning show how much influence for good a police official can wield when he takes such a view of his position. It is extremely pleasing to record the words of appreciation spoken by those connected with the humanitarian organisations of the town. Mr. Rutherford, speaking on behalf of the Hospital Board, pointed out that the general public had no idea of the assistance the Inspector had rendered in hospital and charitable aid matters, and to this was added a word from Mr. Loughnan regarding the Insuector’s kindly thought for the unfortunate occupants of the dock and the prison cells. Then the 8.P.C.A., through Mr. J. Herbert Hankins, added another testimony, to say nothing of the good work done by Inspector O’Donovan in his capacity as a member of the executive controlling the work of the District Nurse. Palmerston realises the good work done by a capable and tactful official, and the spontaneous appreciation of this morning was not more than Inspector O’Donovan deserved.