FATHER HERBERT, S.M., FAREWELLED

New Zealand Tablet, 27 February 1919, Page 31

FATHER HERBERT, S.M., FAREWELLED

On Monday evening, February 17 (writes our Timaru correspondent), a farewell gathering was held in the Catholic Hall in honor of Rev. J. S. Herbert, S.M., who is leaving Timaru to undertake mission work in Australia. The Very Rev. Dean Tubman presided, and there was an exceptionally large and enthusiastic assemblage, including quite a number of visiting clergy. The proceedings opened with a very fine musical programme arranged by Mrs. N. D. Mangos, items being contributed by Mrs. P. Lindsay, Miss Agnes Cunningham, L.T.C.L., L.A.8., Rev. D. O’Connell (Oamaru), Mr. G. H. Andrews, and (by special request) Father Herbert. All had to respond to recalls. The Very Rev. chairman, in a most felicitous speech, enumerated the many sterling qualities that had endeared Father Herbert to all who had been associated with him during his too brief stay of three years in Timaru, and assured him that the prayers of all would follow him in the arduous work that lay before him. On behalf of the parishioners, Mr. M. J. Doyle then read an address, handsomely illuminated, and bound in album .form. The album contained photographs of all the buildings connected with the local Church of the Sacred Heart, and formed a delightful souvenir of the Timaru parish. The album, accompanied by a cheque from the parishioners, was piesented by Mr. T. Cronin; Messrs. W. Cunningham, G. Casey, and M. O’Brien adding their quota of praise to that of the previous speakers. In response, Father Herbert, who was enthusiastically applauded, feelingly thanked all for their tokens of appreciation, stating, in conclusion, that the three years spent in Timaru were among the happiest of his life. An excellent supper was provided by the Children of Mary, assisted by some members of St. Anne’s Guild. On the previous Sunday (February 16), on his farewell visit to St. Andrews, Father Herbert was made the recipient of a cheque, the substantial nature of which testified to the high esteem, in which he had been held there, as elsewhere in the parish of On the same evening the altar boys of the Sacred Heart Church waited on Father Herbert and presented him with a fountain pen as a small memento of his association with them.