A POPULAR PRIEST

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2139, 4 May 1914, Page 6

A POPULAR PRIEST

PEESENTATIONS TO DEAN REGNAULT. Yesterday afternoon, in St. Patrick's Hall, Bouleotfc Street, a presentation was made by the parishioners of St Mary of tho Angels parish to tho Verv' Rev. Dean Regnault, Provincial of Manst Order in New Zealand, who leaves to-day for Melbourne on his way to attend tho Chapter of the Maris't Order, to be hold this year in Belgium. Dean Regnault hns been for the past seven years in his present parish as Provincial, and during that time has been,very, popular, and endeared himself very, much to his parishioners. This was very evident from tho tone of yesterday's function, some hundred and fifty of his parishioners gathering in St. Patrick's Hall to honour him. Those present included His Grace Archbishop O'Shea, Archdeacon Devoy, and .Father Hurley. Mr. J. J. L. Burke presided, and made eulogistic reference to tho past work of the Provincial. Ho paid a special tribute to the manner in which the Provincial had controlled the business affairs of the diocese.

hollowing this, Mr. Maurice-O'Con-nor, as treasurer of tho Presentation Committee, and on behalf of the parishioners, presented Dean Regnanlt with n substantial pnrso of sovereigns. On behalf of tho Hibernian Society, Mr. Burke mado another presentation', which took the form-of a past-president's colJar.

Archbishop O'Shea and Mr. Martin Kennedy then spoke in praiso of tho departing guest. The former remarked on the splendid administrative powers of tho Dean.

The Very Rev. Dean Regnanlt then replied. He thanked his parishioners for their spontaneous gift, and for tho warm-hearted manner in which they gave it. In dealing with the work of the past seven years, the speaker touched on tho important matter of second-* nr.v education. In this respect the speaker had carried out two very important purchases, one was the securing of a very desirable site in Palmerston North and another one of about thirty acres in Christclmrcli. . Both of theso purchases were for the erection of boys' colleges. The Marist Order had practically paid off all the money on theso properties, and it lay with the Roman Catholics of the districts concerned to assist in tho erection of the buildings mi the same.

At the conclusion of the function, Hi roe cheers were called for the departing priest, also three cheers for tho Vice-Provincial, Archdeacon Devov. Subsequent to the 11 o'clock Mass yesterday morning the St. Marv of tho Angels Choir presented Dean Regnanlt with a travelling-rug. Mr. E. J. Tlenl.v, conductor, mado the presentation.