FAREWELL GATHERING

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 6, Issue 47, 12 February 1943, Page 5

FAREWELL GATHERING

REV. FATHER LEEN A large number of people, many from outlying, districts,- foregathered on Tuesday Evening in the King Street Hall to bid farewell ito Father D. Leen, who has. for many years been parish priest at Whakatane. After a light supper a cheque to which many of his friends had subscribed, was presented to Father Leen. In a brief address, Father Brady of Opotiki, said that Father Leen came, to New Zealand as a young man "with the bloom of Kilarney still on his cheek and the brogue''

of Kerry on his tongue," 1 and; by bis quiet manner and broad outlook Avon many friends. Father Brady also bespoke the excellent work achieved

by Father Leen as the. first parish priest in Whakatane and added that ■ his appointment at Ormond would be promotion. In responding, Father Leen expressed pleasure and surprise at the function arranged, at such short notice. He would, he said, alwaysremember the friends, many with " hearts of gold, and of all denO'mijnations, he had made during the nitre, years he had been in, the district and thanked all those associated w r ith -him for their co-operation and support. Musical items and dancing until midnight contributed to an enjioy- ' able evening.