A POPULAR PRIEST.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 924, 17 September 1910, Page 7

A POPULAR PRIEST.

SILVER JUBILEE. . , The Rev. Father Cognet, the popular priest of the;, Otaki Parish, was: right royally entertained -by --his congregation and others en Wednesday to , celebrate .the' '.silver jubilee of. his ordination . '(writes our correspondent). There was a large gathering, including the . Very Rey.KFaJher O'Sliea; -Very Rev. Archdeacon Levoy, and. the Very Rev. Dean Regnault, all' of Wellington, Fathers Lecroix (Taihape), Menard - (Opunake), Barra (Wanganui), Yiband '(Jerusalem), and ; Maillard., (liaetihi). : All. the , lattor have been Father. Cognet's' assistants, and the meeting oansed.'-'great' rejoicing. Unfortunately, Father Scliaefer was unable to attend. At 10 a.m. High Mass was 'celebrated; the above Fathers doing the singing .in , a most pleasing, yet solemn, manner. : • / At the/luncheon several toasts were honoured, and highly complimentary reference made;, to. :the . guest. 'Father. Cognet suitably responded. ■ Mr. T. O'Rourke spoke on behalf of the parishioners, making eulogistic reference to their guest. In the afternoon- one of the . finest entertainments yet ■ given by ,the Convent, scholars took place, each and : every item, receiv-ing'well-merited'applause, the drama en.titled the; "Quack Doctor" • being; especially. good. In the former the chief-actors were Misses Hannan,' Rewa Fisher,, Essie .Tompsett,. Alda Cameron, Adelaide Downey; Vera Bennett, Gertie Neyton, ICatie Ryder/ and Master Willie Bennett. All acquitted; themselves splendidly, and en 7 couiums were passed by all present. One of the most pleasing items—to the children—was the announcement that , they would .be granted four days'.holiday. In the. evening illuminations' and . fireworks Here the attractions, and in these, much interest , was centred. ..

Without doubt the most pleasing ■ part of the whole affair were the presentations to Father Cognet, these taking' the form of very valuable and. hapdsonie presents, including a gold chalice', standing' some fifteen'-inches high, elaborately, engraved. This, together with a purso of sovereigns, and a.set of handsomely-bound books,_ was given on behalf of the congregation, while the girls of tlie congregation, not to be outdone, presented a nicely-bpnnd Miissal and other: books. Mother Colomba and. the Sisters of St. Joseph's Convent (Wanganui) sent for presentation,'a richly hand-painted stole, which 1 was greatly admired, while an elaborate . address, suitably and nicely worded,, and. accompanied by seven volumes of the Catholic Encyclopaedia, was: presented by other branches of the parish, Mr. Harper making the presentation. The presentations were made with great eclat, and. complimentary reference throughout was made by various speakers, Father Cognet suitably responding:.