VALEDICTORY.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5211, 2 December 1927, Page 2

VALEDICTORY.

THE REV. FATHER DUNPHY.

- TRIBUTE TO HIS WORTH

A large gathering of Catholic parishoners and friends of the district met in tiie Gaiety Theatre, Paeroa, °n Wednesday evening to farewell the Rev. Father Dunphy, on the eve; of his departure from Paeroa to tak© over the parish of Otahu.hu. Priests fiom the neighbouring parishes, including th© Rev. Fathers O’Hara (Waihi). Dignan (Thames), and Silk (Matamata), were present, while apologies from Fathers Blakey (Hamilton), and F rd (Auckland) were read. The evening took the form of a conversazione, thus affording one and all an opportunity of personally saying good-bye to the departing guest.

A short musical programme was given as follows: Pianoforte solo, “Come back to Erin,” Miss Smith. Hikutaia ; song, “Pale Moon,”, encore “Thoughts,” Miss A. Murray, Wa’kino; chorus, “Oft in the stilly night,” by childr.ji; -ong, ‘‘Old-fashioned Town/’ encore “Where the River Shannon Flows.” Miss Bertelsen, Paeroa; humorous recitation, “What do you want to talk about it for,” Mr H. Smith, Hikutaia ; song, “You’ll get heaps o’ 1 ickin’s,” encore "In my little, garden,” Miss Jones, Waikino; cliorus, “Dea/ little Shamrock.” children; song, “Believe me, if all those endear-, ing young charms,” and “Tara’s Halls,” Miss de Silva, Waikino; pianoforte solo, Miss Smith; song, “Farewell Father,” children.

PRESENTATION. At the termination of. th© musical portion of the proceedings the guest accompanied by Fathers O’Hara, Dignan, and Silk, and the chairman (Mi H. Poland) and members of the committee seated themselves on th© stag© On taking his seat Father Dunphy was greeted with prolonged applause. The chairman said that they had m©t to say farewell to the priest who had been amongst them for the past ten years, and who had been responsible for th© spiritual welfare of the Catholics in the parish. On the eve of his departure h© wished to presept to Father Dunphy a testimonial on behalf of the people expressing the great esteem and love they felt for him and the sense of the great loss sustained by his removal from their midst. They were, however, happy in the thought that he was going to a more important district to carry on the good work he had beftn doing for the past ten years here. The language of the address, said the speaker, put on record and expressed what they felt—that deep respect and love the people held for their priest. During the years here Father Dunphy had practically rebuilt the school, enlarged the church and nearly paid off the debt; and this was all don© in the lean years. His devotion to his parishioners made them all fe©l that they were losing not only their priest, but a very dear friend,. Father Dunphy had followed the late Monsignor Hackett, who had been here for along time, and the; task was an uphill one, but he had made good as their priest and they were all sorry to lose him. Mr Poland then read the following address, and also handed to Father Dunphy a well-filled wallet as a material token of the esteem in which he was held by the parishioners. “To the Reverend Father AV. C. J. AL Dunphy: “Dear Reverend Father, —In congratulating you on your recent appointment, the parshioners of Paeroa view with extreme and sincere regret your approaching departure from our midst.

“We have not been unmindful of the work that you have accomplished in the parish during the ten years that you have laboured amongst us. Your efforts in enlarging our church, and in erecting a modern and up-to-date school, were not done without considerable thought and labour. But while successful in material things, you have been ever zealous for the spiritual welfare of your flock. Your priestly zeal has ever been noted by us. Under your care and guidance our children have been well instructed in the truths of pur Holy Religioh. This, we fee,l sure, will bear fruit in the years to come, and We offer you our endurnig gratitude. “You have been a, true pastor to your flock, and as such you will be ever remembered. “In saying farewell, we trust that the blessing of God will be always upon-you. May He continue to inspire you with wise counsels, in order that you may successfully guide in your work the people amongst whom you will labour.

“We have the honour to subscribe ourselves your fa’thful people, on behalf of the parishioners of Paeroa. — (Signed) Hugh Poland, Maurice Crimmins, Thomas Barrett, Thomas Considine, George, Fallon, M. A. Ellis,” In replying, Father Dunphy said that he found himself, in a very difficult position. Newer had he been' so much moved as he was that r.ight. He thanked the chairman for his personal references and the people for the beautiful thoughts expressed iff the addresss. He took it that it was not to himself, but to the Priesthood. He found it a great wrench, in depart-, ing, and would never forget the people of Paeroa and his congregation, who would always be in his prayers. He would ever have the; deepest sense of gratitude to the, faithful workers in the parish. In the spiritual work of the parish he had been inspired by the devotion of the,' paris : oneirs. He loved the children for their devotion to him as a priest. “God bless theni all and preserve them,” added Rev. Father. He, thanked the artists who had rendered items that evening, the committee, sisters, and friends 1 who had come to bid him farewell. Fathers O’Hara, Dignan, and Silk paid a high tribute to Father Dunphy as a priest, and thanked him for the' help and hospitality he had given them on various occasions. After supper had been partaken of a hearty vote of thanks to the chairman, carried by acclamation, brought V pleasant svening to a closet