VALEDICTORY.

Hokitika Guardian, 7 February 1920, Page 3

V ALEDICTORY.

TO REV. FATHER CLANCY. POPULAR PRIEST FA RE WELLED. A large crowd of parishoners and well wishers assembled in St Mary’s Club Rooms last evening to say farewell and wisli good luck and God speed to Rev Father Clancy who for the past ten years has been parish priest of Hokitika, and who is leaving on transfer to Napier. Apologies were received for the absence of Messrs G. A. Perry (Mayor), H. L. Michel M.L.C., Rev Fathers Hnnrahan and Riordan, Messrs W. Wilson, B. Ward, and T. Houlahan. Mr W Jeffries, Chairman of the Pre- ' sentation Committee, presided. Among those present were Rev Fathers Aubrey and O’Hare, Messrs.H. -M. Conlson (Deputy Mayor) and ,T. Mandl. The proceedings opened with musical honours to the guest of the evening, who at .the same time was presented with a 'magnificent bouquet by a little dot, Miss Cavanagh. ill 1 W. Jeffries (Chairman) then explained the object of the gathering and extended a hearty welcome to all those present. , The musical programme was as follows:—A pianoforte trio by Messrs Daly, Giese and Devnnev ; song, Mr S. Brand (Mona) ; song, Miss Eileen Reid (When the Great Red Dawn is Shining) ;

song (Mother Macree)' Mr Pat Fitzgerald (Greyniouth,) encored; song, Miss Eileen Hatch (Of't in the Stilly Night) ; song, (Miss Jones, (Believe Me if All Those Endearing Young Charms.) Mr W. Jeffries in addressing the gathering, referred tu the sad parting

about to take place. Father Clancy had come for only six months, hut they had luckily succeeded in keeping him for ten years. For many years the Rev Father had been a professor in St Patrick’s College at Wellington ; from there j he went to Nelson and then on to Hokitika. Since then they knew well all that had happened. The speaker speei-, ally referred to the recent epidemic when their guest vacated .his own residence to afford the necessary hospital accommodation for the sick and needy in that trying time. He felt sure that that feeling of devotedness which always bound a Catholic Priest to his flock would live long in the future memories of the Rev Father as it had done with previous priests (applause). That well krjpwn Latin axiom “a friend even unto the last extremity” could be j well applied to their guest for the ex- ! tent of his charity could never be pub- j licly known. Mr Jeffries went on to . refer to Father Clancy’s labours in con- j nection with the new church, the result' being that the parishoners now had a! building which to-day could not be built for’twice the money. He con-j sidered that Marist Fathers had done a great deal of noble work in this young ! country.- Of course, as priests they had j to go where and when they were sent, and Father Clanev was now about to j leave them for Napier. He felt sure the community would join with him in wishing the Rev gentleman a pleasant trip to Australia and on his rteturn a ! long life of health and happiness. He then called on Mr J. Cahill, one of the

three oldest parishoners, to make the presentation. • Mr Cahill, in presenting Father, Clancy with a purse of 100 sovereigns, ! referred to their close friendship for many years past. He would keenly miss Rev Father Clancy and keenly regretted his departure, but wished him the best of good luck, a safe trip to Australia and back, and good health to carry on his work in Napier. He then made the presentation (applause). All present then rose and sang “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow.” (Miss Dorothy Stephens, on helmjf of' the Children of Mary, also presented Father Clancy with a gold mounted fountain pen suitably engraved. Mr Joseph Mandl, one of the oldest parishioners, spoke at length on Father Clancy’s many good works, and wished him the best of good luck in the future. He considered Hokitika was losing the best priest it ever had (and then caused no little amusement by offering a lengthy explanation tp Rev Father Aubrey, a former Hokitika priest). -Mr H. M. Couison (pjeppty said it gave him great pleasure to be present and to np'te the tangible mark of the respect in' which Rev Father Clancy was held. He wished to speak both as Deputy Mayor and as onp outside the Rev Father's flock. In small communities like this people naturally became more intimately acquainted with each other, and he had not known Father Clancy long before he realised that the right, mail had come to fill the right place, and their guest .had justly earned the esteem which the night’s

gathering marked. Personally lie would miss Father Clancy. Ho would miss his smile —that smile which was like a ray of sunshine on a dark Tilt* recent opidem fo -had pipycd that Father Clancy was a true Christian first and a Roman Catholic priest afterwards. During that dreadful time he had done all that a man could do to hplp the suffering of every class and denomination. Now that lie was going he would he missed not only by Ids own Hock, but also by those outside. Napier was now to gain from our loss. He assured their guest that he would find no warmer hearts there than here, and concluded by wishing him o,n behalf of the people of Hokitika, God speed and that he may always take a pleasure in carrying oti his work in that sphere in which it had pleased Got! to call him. (Applause). .Mr Neil Warren in eudorjiqg foe remarks of file previous speakers reft,n etl to the traditional feeliugs of regret at Father Clancy’s departure. His genial personality syiul general ability demanded such feelings. Charity had ly'eii thejr guest’s first greatobject. He spokp of charity in his sermon* ami he practiced it as a eitl/,en in Hokitika. Continuing Mr Warren spoke of the Ryv. gentlemaii’p good work in .St Mury’s Club where ’ip the days of fop Competitions Father Clancy had been a pillar of strength and in conclusion wished him good health and goqd luck in Napier where ho would endear the hearts of the people ns in Hokitika., (Applause), Mr Geo. Wonmlugton very ably voiced the feelings of Parishioners at Father Clancy’s departing. The at- [ tendance that evening and the oore- ' | niony itself were sulticicnt testimony. Father Clancy had undertaken great 1 1 difficulties. The new church, which J j would booh bo completed, would ho a ! , lasting monument) to him (and yet ■ pj> ppckpts had been overtaxed), He

spoke of their guest’s good work at St Mary’s Club Rooms where his wide learning, coupled with his keen sense of wit and humour had accounted For the Club’s many successes at Competitions. As a citizen leather Clancy left nothing to be desired. He wUs of the most charitable, but of this little was known, and in spite of wide religious differences he won the respect ■of all. At times, Father Clancy had been a good priest and he wished him every happiness coupled with strength of body and mind to carry on his good works wherever he may go. (Applause). Rev. Dean Aubrey (Greymouth) and Father O’Hare (Kumnr.i) both .sympathised with those present. They personally would greatly miss Father Clancy as a close friend and willing helper. Of course, Priests must go where they are sent and sentiment must not play too great a part:. They joined in extending every good wish to Father. Clancy in the future and hoped.that Dean Tupman would be as happy here as his predecessor and that the progress in the future would be equal to, if not more than, that of the past. In his concluding remarks Father O’Hare spoke up for Kt'tmara. He bad a good people there, and a town that was by no 'means “done”, and could wish for no happier surroundings for many years to come. (Applause). On rising to' respond Father Clancy who was visibly affected, was greeted with prolonged) applause.. He began by stating that he would be inhuman if he were not affected by the night’s proceeding. He hoped that- his heartwould stick to him in this tight corner. He returned his heartfelt thanks to one and all in doing him this great honour. He felt that ' such was not due to him—but it was an occasion where he bad to submit to the feelings (if others. (He believed in the idea, of “K,eep on Smiling”, and thanked the Deputy Mayor for his kind remarks 'in that direction. If he were questioned severely by St Peter he would refer to Mr Coulson for a ■ character—and on that he felt sure lie would be admitted (if Hokitika people were known thdre). He referred to the many works he had undertaken in the parish

—the new school, a cost of £291, the Kanieri church a cost of £oOG and the new Church at Hokitika, which cost over £4,400 and on which only about £4,000 was now owing. He honed to hear that after the next bazaar, the Church' would be clear. The tower on the church (100xl8xl8feet) had been built for £327, while he understood the town clock cost £I2OO. The Club rooms had been removed to their present site and set on a concrete bed, but he could not take the credit of these good works. It was a. mark of the peoples generosity and willingness to help. Referring to the recent epidemic, he had only done his duty but lie would never forget that dreadful time. He referred to Several touching incidents that came within his notice at that time. Referring to Mr Cahill, Father Clancy' said lie felt it greatly to loav ■ such a good old friend, one of the highest lion, our, truthfulness and charity. Jack was his “curate” and no better friend, man could wish for. After all a priest was only a man, consecrated in parts to do good in this world. Referring to Westland lie spoke of its grandeur as compared with other places, its beautiful scenery, its bush, mountains, lakes and glaciers. It was on.- of the best places on God’s earth, and lie was sorry to exchange it for the undulating fields of,. Napier.' He thanked them warnilv for the handsome purse and assured them lie would travel to Australia and back like a prince. He wished to visit liis brother there, a brother he had not seen for 35 years. He looked forward with pleasure to that meeting and would take a coal boat if necessary. He would ever keep kind memories of the dear old Coast and its warm-hearted people.—‘T again thank you all for your kindness. I pray that God may bless you. prolong your lives and dispel sorrow from your homes and that we shall all meet again one day in God’s Kingdom, I wish you this, my. hearts best wish.” (’bond Applause). Dm musical programme then contiimed as follows:—Piano duet, Aliases Daly and Stopforth; Song “For the Green’’, Mr Tom Stopforth, encore “The Minstrel Roy”; Song, Afr Fitzgerald “Until”, encore “Gipsy Love." Slipper was then served, after which dancing was indulged in until midnight. The dance music was kindly supplied by Aliases Daly, Giese and : Rrooze (piano), and B. Hatch (violin). | Air S. lira ml rendered severa l songs between the dances. The accompanists for the everting were Misses A. Daly, and 3s. Giese..