MANAIA

New Zealand Tablet, 25 September 1913, Page 36

MANAIA

A very large number of the residents of Manaia and surrounding districts assembled in the Town Hall on Wednesday evening, September 17, on the occasion of a valuable presentation to Mr. Charles Garrigan, who is leaving Manaia for Southbridge after a residence of over 15 years (says the Waimate Witness). There could certainly be no doubt about the popular esteem in which the 'guest of the evening was held. The costly and splendid gift of which he was the recipient as well as the fact that all classes of the community were represented in the proceedings and the personal tributes of the various speakers were all proof in that respect. -'. -";..-..■-: v .. .. : v Mr. J. J. Meldon, who presided, said Mr. Garrigan's departure from amongst them had caused a feeling of widespread and very genuine regret in the community and also an equally widespread feeling that his services, extending over a period of 15 years, should not > be allowed to go unrecognised. For the Hibernian Society he had done faithful and valuable work and by long years of untiring zeal and hard work he had been chiefly instrumental in making it one of the most flourishing branches of the institution in the colony. Mr. A. G. Bennett was pleased to have an opportunity of publicly, putting on record his testimony of the splendid services rendered to Manaia and its various institutions by Mr. Garrigan. The Rev. Father Saunderson said their esteemed friend, Mr. Garrigan, was a man of whom he was justly proud. He ■ was always willing to put his shoulder to the wheel in assisting every good work along. What he had done for the Hibernian Society was patent in the position it occupied to-day. He had been very intimately and !usefully connected with Church work, and from that standpoint it was a pleasure to know, as well as a tribute to the liberal and broadminded instincts of the people, that that did not lessen but rather increased the esteem in which he was held by the public. Father Saunderson concluded by wishing him God speed and every success in new home. Mr. D. J. Hughes also complimented Mr. Garrigan on his many attractive qualities and generally endorsed the remarks of previous speakers. Mr. Meldon then read a brief address to Mr. Garrigan from the parishioners, the H.A.C.B. Society] and his many friends in Manaia and the Waimate Plains, signed by Father Saunderson, Mrs. O'Donnell (Inaha) on behalf of herself and family, F. Mourie, and 130 others. " He then handed him a gold watch' chain, and locket, the gift of his many friends in recognition of the esteem in which he was held. Mr. Garrigan, speaking in feeling tones, sincerely thanked his friends for the magnificent proof of their esteem. He was very sorry he was going, and it certainly was some gratification to know he was leaving behind so many friends who had been associated with him during all these years. He had certainly put his heart into the work of the Hibernian Society, and it was a pleasure to know that, although one of the youngest, it was one of the strongest branches in Taranaki. He thanked Father Saunderson for speaking so highly of him. He did not deserve such valuable presents, for which he again thanked them sincerely. The proceedings concluded with a verse of •' For he's a jolly good fellow.' Mr. J. A. G. Cosgrove, who succeeds Mr. Garrigan as secretary of the local branch of the Hibernian Society, was secretary of the presentation committee, and the Witness pays a well-deserved compliment to him for the admirable manner in which he managed the business. ; :