Palmerston North

New Zealand Tablet, 12 October 1916, Page 24

Palmerston North

(From our own correspondent.) October 6. At the annual meeting of the H.A.C.B; Society on Tuesday evening Bro. McGahey> of the Thorndon (Wellington) branch, who. has come to Palmerston to take charge of the Customs office, attended. He was welcomed by the president and members. To help along the Dublin Relief Fund it was decided to strike a levy on all the members ; this should bring in a good sum. Sick pay allowance to the amount of £5 10s was passed for payment. The St. Vincent do Paul Society was particularly successful with its sacred concert last night at the Palace Theatre. The concert was promoted for the benefit of Nos. 1 and 2 Hospitals in London, and that such a worthy project had the hearty support of the whole community was evidenced by the large attendance at the gathering. The programme was a most enjoyable one, and included items by the Palace Orchestra, Mesdames Whitley, C. Louisson, C. P. Nash, and Bailev. Messrs. T. Rodgers, Jewett, and Willoughby, and the Awapuni Orchestra. In the absence of the Mayor, Mr. F. J. Oakley returned thanks at the conclusion of the concert to Mr. Wilson (manager of the Palace) for the free use of the theatre, the theatre staff, Mr. Whitley, and the ladies and gentlemen assisting in the concert for their services, and the audience for attending in such large numbers and contributing so generously to the funds. This would permit of the sum of £43 8s being cabled to England to-day to the hospitals Donations of £lO and £5 were received from Mr. and Mrs. Goring Johnston respectively. Wednesday was a ‘ red letter ’ day in Palmerston North, the occasion being the return of ChaplainCaptain Dore. Father Dore, who motored through from Foxton, was met by a large number of residents at Longburn, including Rev. Fathers McManus and Forrestal. At the railway station the local band was in waiting, and on the arrival of the party played them to the band rotunda. The car had hardly come to a standstill before Father Dore was surrounded by his many friends and acquaintances, anxious to offer their welcome and sympathy. He was welcomed by the Mayor, members of the Patriotic Society, business men, and clergy of various denominations. The band struck up the National Anthem, and the Mayor then called for three hearty cheers for Chaplain-Captain Dore, which were given with gusto*. His Worship mentioned how “Father Dore had gained the Military Cross, which elicited rousing cheers from the vast crowd. • Other speakers were Mr. Hodder (chairman of the Chamber of Commerce), Rev. Mr. Blackburn, Mr. Cohen (Jewish community), Major Tooman (Salvation Army), and Colonel Hume (Officer Commanding the District), all of whom spoke in glowing terms of the doings of Father Dore. Mr. Loughnan replied on behalf of Father Dore. At the invitation of Mr. W. Devine, Father Dore and a number of citizens assembled at the Empire Hotel, where lunch was served and a number of toasts honored. A very successful function concluded with the singing of the National Anthem. On Thursday Father Dore motored out to Marton, when a very enjoyable -day was spent. On Friday morning he paid a visit to the school, much to the delight of the chily dren, and got a very warm welcome. The National Anthem was sung, after which Father Dore addressed them. His visit was brought to a close on Friday morning, when he left by the 11.30 a.m. train for Wellington. During his stay in Palmerston Mr. C. A. Loughnan very kindly placed his beautiful motor car at Father Dore’s service, which action was very much appreciated. Foxton ,\ , * . Chaplain-Captain Dore, who was among the wounded and invalided from the front that arrived in New Zealand last week,-returned to Foxton on Saturday night (says the Manawatu Herald of October 5).

At the outbreak of war. Father Bore was in charge of the Foxton parish, and was one of the first to offer his services as a chaplain at the front. For gallantry on the field, Father Bore was awarded the Military Cross. Whilst assisting a wounded soldier, Father Dore was himself wounded, and was invalided to England, where he was in hospital for s<rfhe months. The nature of the wound affected the use of his legs, and at present he is only able to get about on crutches. He visited Foxton to see old friends and to deliver messages to relatives in this district from soldiers he had been with on the battlefields of Gallipoli. Father Dore is still under medical care, and could only remain in Foxton for two days, but opportunity was taken to accord him a public welcome and to thank him for his excellent work as a chaplain of the New Zealand Forces. The function was held in the Coronation Hall on Tuesday night, and despite the short notice, the building was filled, thus giving a further proof of the very high esteem in which he is held by all sections of the community.

The Mayor presided, and explained that the function had been arranged at short notice to welcome Chaplain-Captain Dore back to New Zealand, and said that the large attendance Avas evidence of the esteem in which he was held. Everybody had heard of the gallant deeds and self-sacrificing work of Father Dore on the battlefields, and personally he considered it an honor to be privileged to preside at the gathering. He referred at some length to the guest’s work as a chaplain, and on behalf of the citizens of Foxton extended a hearty welcome home to him, and expressed the hope that he would soon be restored to health again. Messrs. P. Hennessy and P. G. Jackson and Mrs. Luke (Mayoress of Wellington) also spoke of the good work done by Father Bore, and expressed the hope that he would soon enjoy his usual heahn. The Rev. Father Cronin replied on behalf of Chap-lain-Captain Dore, who was not equal to the physical exertion of making a speech. He expressed thanks for the very hearty welcome extended, and for the many manifestations of goodwill by the citizens of Foxton.

During the evening vocal items were contributed by Mesdames Gilder and Freeman, Misses Bryant and Signal, and Messrs. Aitken, Hooker, and Hornblow. The meeting terminated with the singing of ‘ For he’s a jolly good fellow,’ "followed by three rousing cheers for Chaplain-Captain Dore.