PRESENTATION TO FATHER PRICE, ADM., CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XLIII, Issue 18, 4 May 1916, Page 32

PRESENTATION TO FATHER PRICE, ADM., CHRISTCHURCH.

(From our Christchurch correspondent.) As soon as it became definitely known that through a. threatened serious breakdown in health it was rendered imperative that the Very Rev. Father Price, Adm., should relinquish duty for a while, and that he had decided, on the advice or his medical attendants, to rest and take a long sea voyage, those of his parishioners who had been most closely associated with him in his work as Administrator of the Cathedral, and other well-wishers, at once arranged that the opportunity should not be lost of showing in a tangible form the regard in which he is held and their affectionate loyalty towards him. At a preliminary and well-attended meeting, Mr. J. R. Hay ward was appointed chairman and Mr. T. Cahill secretary of an executive committee which was formed. With the expressed sympathy and support of his' Lordship the Bishop in the movement, a sum of £125 was speedily subscribed, and arrangements completed for a complimentary conversazione and presentation, which eventuated on last Tuesday evening in the Alexandra Hall. There was a crowded and deeply sympathetic audience. His Lordship the Bishop presided, and with him on the platform, besides the guest of the evening, there were Messrs. J. R. Hay ward, T. Cahill, P. J. Young, R. Bcveridge, and P. O'Connell. A most enjoyable musical and elocutionary programme was given, those contributing being Miss M. G. O'Connor, Miss D. Nottingham, Mr. R. Beveridge, and Mr. A. MacDonald (songs) Marist Brothers' pupils (vocal selection), Miss Lawlor (piano solo), Mr. A. C. Nottingham ('cello solo), Mr. F. Rowe (humorous recitations). Addressing the gathering, his Lordship Bishop Brodie said that he had been only about two months in the diocese, but he had learnt to love and appreciate his priests. In eloquent terms his Lordship bore testimony to the high standard of efficiency he found existing in the Cathedral parish, and the devotion to their pastors on the part of the people generally. Continuing, he said that when he saw Father Price working so hard he thought it had been a false alarm that his health was not so good as his friends desired to see it but his Lordship had not been long in the diocese before, it became evident that he required a long holiday. They hoped that the voyage would completely restore Father Price's health. His Lordship took the opportunity of publicly expressing his personal debt of gratitude to Father Price for the work he did in his Lordship's regard. (Applause.) New bishops, he could tell them, were troublesome kind of people. (Laughter.) The coming of a new bishop had entailed very heavy work on Father Price, and he complimented him on the way he carried it through. (Applause.) The Apostolic Delegate had said that the ceremonies were carried out in Christchurch just as well as if they had been carried out in Rome, the centre of Catholicity(applause)—and to Father Price the credit was mainly due. His Lordship added that a. strong gleam pf light and pleasure in that evening's 'function was to see the bond existing between priests and people. He referred to the hospitality extended by Father Price to visiting priests and, in concluding, said that Father Price left with the best wishes of his Bishop and his fellow-priests that he would be thoroughly restored to health and return to labor with his Bishop, his fellow-priests, and the loyal and generous people of Christchurch. (Continued applause.) .' Mr. J. R. Hayward, after reading several apologies for unavoidable absence, said that although they were all naturally sorry that the Administrator of the Cathedral parish- was obliged through ill-health to relinquish those duties which he had proved himself so eminently fitted to discharge, and to leave for a time the parishioners, who were deeply attached to him, it was with no ordinary feeling of pleasure that he (the speaker) had acceded to the request of the committee to voice their sentiments, and, he felt sure, the sentiments of the Cathedral parishioners and friends generally, towards their departing guest. Mr. Hayward then gave a lengthy, list of the principal works carried out by Father Price during the eight years he had been in charge of the Cathedral parish. The loving care bestowed by Father Price on the late Bishop Grimes during his last illness was specially mentioned. This, said the speaker, more than anything else touched the people, and their regard for Father Price,' because of this, was intensified. The memory of his devoted services during the late Bishop's illness, death; and obsequies would remain long impressed on the minds of the people of this diocese. In conclusion, and upon handing Father Price a well-filled purse of sovereigns, Mr. Hayward said the people appreciated the work done, and were glad to have the opportunity of showing in a small way that appreciation and cratitudo so genuinely felt. Very Rev. Father Price, in replying, said:,l am sincerely grateful for the expressions of his LordshiD the Bishop and Mr. Hayward, - which , are far too kind and flattering. In these expressions I. recognise the spirit in which you have uniformly treated me during the years I have been connected with the administration of the Cathedral parish. It is consoling to know that so many friends

remember me, and I feel, as I stand here to-night, that there is something very deep* and real in that charity with winch a Catholic flock regards its pastor, and; which urges friends to gather round one who has tried to be a friend. I came to Christchurch over eight years ago, not at my own request, but in obedience to authority. I prayed then that no needless strife,' no friction or misunderstanding with people of goodwill might blight the parish. God has granted this. The priests associated with me at the Cathedral are one happy family, and the laity, although they may not be endowed witl? much of this world’s goods, are united and earnest. Your kindness to me to-night has set me a very difficult task. To take and march off with a. purse, in a . good sound condition, is a matter of very little difficulty indeed, but the great difficulty is to thank you adequately for it. hen I say ‘ 1 thank you,’ I hope you will take these words and understand theih in their best and fullest sense, charged with all possible sincerity and gratitude. I thank all who have honored me by their presence here to-night—especially our, beloved Bishop, for so kindly presiding over this valedictory meeting. I am not going to _ recite a litany of his praises, nor can I add to the nobility of his character. His broad-inindedners and large-hearted ness i cannot sufficiently extol. The dioceseclergy and laity, alike—are proud to have such a Bishop to rule over us. We hope his Lordship may be spared to see his episcopal golden jubilee. I thank the priests -of the diocese, especially those of the Cathedral staff, for the unvarying courtesy, kindness, and willing help 1 have experienced during my sojourn among them. I thank most gratefully all who, whether present or not, have had any part in the generous gift which has now been presented to me. The list of subscribers, I understand, is a very representative one, which makes your kind gift all the more precious to me. My ambition has ever been to live iii peace and harmony with —Catholic and non-Catholic and that I have not been altogether unsuccessful is a source of comfort and consolation to me to-night. As to what has been said concerning my merits and the value of my past services and concerning the esteem and affection that are felt for me, I can truly say that it is to me a kind of mystery; for knowing that I am in reality nothing more than what I am in the sight of God, I cannot think of myself as favorably as others think of me. Nevertheless, I am grateful for all that has been so kindly said of me and, however undeserving I may be of such great praise, it is certainly a noble evidence of the goodness of those whose judgment of me is so generous and so affectionately kind. If I have met with moderate success in the administration of the Cathedral parish, it is due to the fact that my lot has fallen among a kind, faithful, and generous people. You have made great sacrifices. During the past eight years the episcopal residence has been practically rebuilt and refurnished, the boys’ school and teachers’ house completely renovated, whilst the debt on the Cathedral building has been reduced from £15,000 to £3350. I shall not grow conceited, for I realise that all this reflects far more credit upon yourselves than upon me. I am deeply grateful for the generous help you have always given me, and for your forbearance at ail times. I have not done all I ought to have done, nor even all I had hoped to do. 1 must in many ways have offended, vexed, annoyed you. As shepherd, I have often fleeced the flock. Yet this gathering and presentation to-night mean to me that you are ready to forgive and forget whatever there may be to forget and forgive. I accept your gift with much pleasure, but I esteem more dearly and more keenly the pure golden motives of good fellowship and esteem that have urged you to come here to-night. Money is easily spent, and you all know what little trouble I have in spending it, but the sentiments you have expressed will live stored up in my memory like a precious treasure when the money has been scattered to the winds. Let me say in conclusion that, ‘ although, alas, the gold in this bag will soon vanish, the memory of your great kindness to me shall never fade from my heart.’ Refreshments were handed round, and Father Price said good-bye individually to each one that was accessible by going among the audience. He left on Wednesday evening by the Moeraki for Sydney en route for the East, Canada, America, and Europe, and expects to return to Christchurch in about twelve months. A number of the clergy were present at his farewell gathering and final leave-taking.