FAREWELL TO FATHER PEOPLES

New Zealand Tablet, 7 March 1918, Page 23

FAREWELL TO FATHER PEOPLES

:/' When .it became known that. the Rev. . Father Peoples, who for over twelve months has acted as curate in the Greymouth parish, had been. transferred to Waimate, South Canterbury, general regret was felt not only by members of his own congregation, but by the people of Greymouth generally (states the Greymouth Evening Star of February 26). During his sojourn in.Greymouth Father Peoples proved himself an ideal priest in ministering to the spiritual wants of his flock. As various speakers testified last night, Father Peoples took a special interest in the sick and the poor of the parish, and his labors in this branch of Church work will long be remembered by a grateful people. In spite of his manifold duties" Father Peoples found time to take an interest in the welfare of the district as a whole. He did specially valuable work in St. Columba Club, and his services as instructor in branches of athletics were greatly appreciated. A large crowd assembled at the Town Hall to bid him farewell. The night was a most disagreeable one, but this did not prevent representatives from outlying portions of the parish being present to do honor to the guest of the evening. His Worship the Mayor (Mr. J. D. Lynch) presided, and amongst those present were the Very Rev. Father O'Donnell (Gore), Rev. Fathers Clancy, S.M. (Hokitika), Eccleton, S.M. (Reefton), and Ouinii, S.M. (Greymouth). The Mayor said that it was with the utmost pleasure that he had accepted the invitation to preside that evening. The large and representative gathering that he saw before him was in itself a sufficient testimony of the esteem in which Rev. Father Peoples was held by the people of Greymouth. Their guest had only been a short time here, but he had made good, and in leaving he was taking away with him the good will of the people, irrespective of creed or class. Mr. H. F. Doogan said that he deemed it an honor to be called upon to make a presentation on behalf of the people of Greymouth to Father Peoples. After reading an address expressive of the appreciation of the parishioners of the departing priest's work in Greymouth, Mr. Doogan said that they flattered themselves that Father Peoples required nothing; tangible to remind him of them. However, he had much pleasure in presenting their guest with a substantial cheque as a small memento. In conclusion he congratulated him on his advancement and expressed the people's sincerest wishes for his welfare in the future. _ Other speakers were Mr. M. Keating, Mr. M. Malone, Rev. Fathers Quinn, and Clancy] Father Peoples replied in appropriate terms. An excellent musical programme was provided, the following being the contributors:— Selection, Misses W. O'Neill, Inga Hannam, Mary Phelan, M. Fletcher (violins), V. Lacombe, E. Oliver, M. Leitch (piano); pianoforte duet, Misses J. Kennedy and M. Leitch; selection. Misses M. Fletcher, K. Kelly, K. Byrne, N. Hales, R. Hales, E. Wallace, Master Bert Henden (violins), Miss Mary Phelan (piano) musical monologue, Mr. Hargreaves ; vocal solos, Miss M. Higgins and Mr. P. F. Fitzgerald ; mandoline duet, Misses Hales. Accompanists, Mrs. Hales and Miss L. Higgins. The Children of Mary, of whom the Rev. Father Peoples was spiritual director, presented him with a travelling bag, and the Violet Dandies gave him a handsome Kaiapoi rug and many individual presents. Father Peoples left next morning for Waimate, and a great many assembled at the station lo bid him "au revoir."