Farewell to Father Kelly, Eketahuna

New Zealand Tablet, Volume L, Issue 42, 25 October 1923, Page 27

Farewell to Father Kelly, Eketahuna

A very pleasant function took place on Thursday night (says iti&EketaJiuna Express ' for October 18), when a large number of residents representative of all denominations assembled to say farewell 1 to the ’Rev; Father Kelly, who is on transfer to Kilbirnie. -After several dances had' taken place Mr. . Bourke, r of Pahiatua, who had specially attended, favored the audience with several appropriate items in his Usual fine style. His orchestra also rendered several selections, which proved a treat to ; those who attended. Mr, France; then addressed the. assemblage, previous to making a presentation. He said ; he ■ had been requested by the .parishioners* to perform a task he did hot feel equal to. It was mingled with pleasure and regret; pleasure at being present at such a large assembly of residents " representing everj denomination, which proved the high esteem in which Father Kelly- was ; held, and regret kt his departure from our midst. Eketahuna was not : a wealthy parish and on taking ; charge Father Kelly i v faced ? with many financial

P 1 °k* e ?n?; The debt on the car and -presbytery, had to be cleared, " interest,- rates, etc., to be met and finances almost extinct. He manly faced these. ; He called his. committee O- - both . sexes together, and hi s diplomatic . manlier soon, told.j After, eight months’ stewardship he; was'leaving with the car cleared, and over £2oo'credit towards -the. presbytery debt, a very creditable ,record. result of the late bazaar, (over £2OO of a profit) proved the popularity _of the guest both among his parishioners and members- of other denominations; In conjunction with his .committee he worked hard, ‘ and gained his 'reward/ ’ His motto had' been -“Unity is Strength.” - In sickness he had been a tower of strength among his .flock, never Jailing to be alongside a sick bed when ; required, no matter when the call came, or • m what weather..’ His teaching had beeii sympathy, kindness and united friendship of all, no mat* ter. what their religion was. ; A faithful stewardship had come to an end. On) behalf of the ladies Mr; 'Franc© handed Father Kelly a; solid leather portmanteau, solid' silver shaving mug, Loewe pipe and tobacco; with : the very best wishes for his future progress. ■ I, ' Mr. O. H. Parsons referred to the financial . ability of Father Kelly, and his sterling qualities as a priest. - ~ ’ The Mayor, Messrs. Pike, and Cowlam also; eulogised the rev. gentlemans many good qualities" and expressed; regret at his departure. ■ - ;.. „ j.'-p '" . -The Rev, Father Kelly on rising to reply was received with great applause. He expressed his regret at having to depart from Eketahuna , where , his parishioners and other friends had stood so true to- him. His first duty was of coarse to God and His Church, and he had to comply with the wishes of his superiors. He had been transferred to Kilbirnie, for which “place he would be leaving immediately. He did not think that anyone could, say that he had ever neglected the duties he as a priest had to undertake. He had had the work of the parish at heart, and had done his best. In all his undertakings he not only had the support of his own, but had received solid support from those outside the Church, and he expressed his gratitude and thanks to them all. " He thought it was the duty of every citizen in a town to work with all others for the good of the place, burying religious differences, and he was pleased to say that spirit was well established at Eketahuna. He thanked everyone for their kindnesses and wished them good-bye. The audience again rose and cheered their departing friend. Ashburton Catholic Club a (From our own correspondent.) The 25th annual general meeting of the Ashburton Catholic Club was held on last Wednesday evening, -There was a good attendance,, over which Mr. L. Ryan presided;' The secretary presented the annual, report, which stated that upon the whole, the year was a very satisfactory on€, and in one respect, perhaps the most notable in the history of the club. Unfortunately the balance, sheet did not show a credit owing to the fact that such a large • number of subscriptions were-outstanding. The ■ club celebrated its silver jubilee by holding a banquet in the Masonic Hall. The function was a splendid success, and many congratulations were received upon the completeness of the arrangements. A notable fact • was A the attendance ; of Mr. F. K. Cooper, . the “Father •of the Club, and a great many of the gentlemen who had occupied the presidential chair during the past 25 years. The club participated .in a ; challenge debate with the St. Stephen’s Club, the subject being - “State Control v. private enterprise,” and the club’s team, opposing State Control, secured the judge’s verdict: by i a substantial majority of points. Debates were , also held between club members, and mock■ trials' proved highly interesting. An elocutionary contest for a trophy was productive of -a) number' of fine speeches. The club conducted a number • of monthly socials, which were well patronised, and .two smoke concerts were also held. Valedictory socials : were tendered two departing members, ’ Rev. " Father O’Doherty and Mr. J. /McCormick, jun., who had left the district "during the yearr- Both ‘ functions were splendidly attended and fleeted the' degree of esteem in which guest? were held. Thanks were .accorded ’ the N,Z. Tablet 'for the publicity accorded the meetings, Mr; A. L, Tressider Tor adjudieating) on the .challenge debate, and to Mr, F. M. Brophy for , a generous offer td 1 the club. " ; The report and 1 balance"-sheet were unanimously adopitecUiwcU officebearers .elaated .