GORE

New Zealand Tablet, 17 August 1916, Page 27

GORE

The Celtic Dramatic Club gave "a second performance of ' Our Boys ' at the Princess Theatre last Friday night in aid of the Belgian Fund, by special request of the Patriotic Society. The performance was in every way a success. The various parts were played with confidence. From every point of view the Celtic Club has given the very highest pleasure to all. The week after next they play at Wyndham and Mataura, afterwards at Riversdale, I understand, at "the special request of the Patriotic Society, and also, on the invitation of the same society, at Balfour, and later on at Invercargill, so that both the Church and the various Patriotic Societies are benefiting by the very finished performances. The members of the Celtic Dramatic Club, accompanied by Mr. A. J. Gibbs, paid a surprise visit to the presbytery to make a small presentation to Father Farthing, in recognition of the trouble he had been put to in the staging of the play ' Our Boys.' Mr. Gibbs, in making the presentation of a greenstone cross inlaid in gold, spoke of the sterling qualities of Father Farthing, and said that although not a member of the Celtic Dramatic Club, he had, on this occasion, requested the club's permission to attend. He said that since Father Farthing's arrival here, some four months ago, he had become beloved by the people of Gore, and as a citizen he (the speaker) wished to express his appreciation of Father Farthing's will-ingness-to help in all matters pertaining to the good of the town, and thanked him for putting on the play, at the request of the citizens, for the relief of suffering Belgium. Mr. Gibbs spoke of the high esteem in which the Very Rev. Father O'Donnell was held by the citizens, and congratulated Father Farthing on being associated with him in his work. Mr. Muir spoke in-like terms of Father Farthing's exceeding kindness, and said that he deemed it an honor to be associated with him, and would always look back with pleasure to the day he decided to become a member of the Celtic Dramatic Club. Mr. Aeneas Smith assured Father Farthing of the club's feelings towards him, and trusted that he would be long spared to labor amongst them. Mr. Gus. W. Allen also spoke in eulogistic terms of Father Farthing's interest in the Dramatic Club. In reply, Father Farthing said tfyat he deeply appreciated the kindly thoughtfulness of the club, also of Mr. Gibbs. He assured them that their gift would always be cherished by him, and said that while in Gore he would be only too pleased to help the town in ajiy way in his power. He said he had often heard of the kindness of the Gore pHople, but since coming to the town had every proof of it, being met with kindness and consideration on every hand. He wished to thank individually the members of the Celtic Dramatic Club, who had on their first appearance put up such a creditable performance. Referring to Mr. Muir, who had to come some seventy miles to attend the performance on August 11, Father Farthing said it was more than could reasonably be expected of any man, but only went to prove the zeal and wholeheartedness exhibited by the club's members. He thanked Miss Martin (secretary) and Mrs. Murphy (treasurer), who had been of great assistance to the club.