PRESENTATION TO REV. FATHER C.J .VENNING S.M., TE ARO

New Zealand Tablet, 9 May 1912, Page 26

PRESENTATION TO REV. FATHER C.J .VENNING S.M., TE ARO

(From our Wellington correspondent.) For the third time within the past few weeks the Rev. Father Venning’s popularity with the various societies and general body of parishioners of Te Aro was shown at St. Patrick’s Hall, where there was a large attendance on Tuesday evening to do honor to the Rev. Father on the occasion of his transference from Te Aro to Thorndon. Mr. W. Perry occupied the chair, and in a brief speech conveyed to the Rev. Father Venning, S.M., the desire of the Te Aro people to honor him in a small way after his seven years’ sojourn amongst them. During that period Father Venning showed his capacity for hard work, whilst his zeal and geniality had endeared him to all. He wished to convey to Father Venning an expression of their sincere regret at his departure for Thorndon/ They were glad, however, that he was not going far, and they hoped that he would continue the good work in Thorndon which he had been noted for in Te Aro, In conclusion, he wished Father Venning every success, and, as a small token'of their good will and affection, he asked .him to accept a Victoria six-horse power twincylinder motor cycle, which cost £BS. In selecting this gift for Father Venning, they took into consideration the large and scattered district he had to attend, and they trusted that the motor bicycle would be of great assistance to him in carrying out his sacred duties. Very Rev. Father O’Shea, S.M., V.G., also expressed the regret they all felt in losing Father Venning. His departure was a distinct loss for Te Arp, and a distinct gain for Thorndon. He knew Father Venning for seven years, and a more energetic, zealous, and selfsacrificing priest could not be found. He was glad, therefore, that the parishioners had shown their appreciation of him in such a practical manner. Very Rev. Dean Regnault, S.M. (Provincial), also added his tribute to Father Venning’s sterling qualities. He (the Dean) had lost in Father Venning a genial companion, and the parishioners a zealous priest. He had known Father Venning, from the time he (Father Venning) commenced school at.Timaru._ He paid a tribute to ‘ Father Venning’s mother, to whom great credit must be given. Nothing had given his good mother more pleasure than when she was able to witness the ordination of her two sons to the priesthood, and the profession of her daughter as a Sister of Mercy. Rev. Father Venning, on rising to respond," was most enthusiastically received. His feelings, he said were like those of old times now that he was spending

an evening amongst his warm-hearted people, of old St. Mary’s, with whom he spent seven most happy years. He was, indeed, most grateful for the kind references made regarding his good mother by Very Rev. Dean Regnault. He left Te Aro very regretfully, as he had spent practically all his priesthood days amongst them with the exception of one year which he spent in St. Patrick’s College. He found the Te Aro people ever ready to ( rally around their priests in every good work. His association with his fellow-priests in Te Aro had been most happy. In Father O’Shea he found a good friend and adviser. His relations with the various parish societies had been of the most cordial kind. In conclusion he thanked them all most heartily for the handsome present he had received that evening, which would ever remind him of the happy times which he had spent amongst them. : The chairman then extended to the Rev. Father J. Herring, S.M., a hearty welcome from the people of Te Aro. In Father. Herring they had a worthy successor to Father Venning, who had set up a high standard for his successor. « . Father Herring briefly replied, and thanked the people very much for the reception accorded to him. He would do his utmost to follow Father Venning’s footsteps whilst stationed amongst them. Rev. Father Peoples, S.M., Father Venning’s predecessor in Thorndon, also spoke. The proceedings terminated with hearty cheers for Rev. Fathers Venning and Herring. ‘ During the evening St. Mary of the Angels’ choir provided a musical and elocutionary programme, the following contributing items: Misses Theobald, Healy, and Hannan, and Messrs. C. J. Houston and G. Reid. The secretarial arrangements were carried out by Mr. Leo Carroll. . V