PRESENTATION TO THE REVFATHER M'CAUGHEY.

Kumara Times, Issue 1329, 4 January 1881, Page 2

PRESENTATION TO THE REVFATHER M'CAUGHEY.

A large assemblage met at St. Patrick's Church last evening to bid a final good-bye to the Rev. Father M'Caughey, who is about to take his departure for Wellington. Shortly after eight o'clock the church was thronged, and at abott6 a quarter-past eight the Rev. Fathers M'Caughey and Devoy took their seats in front of the sanctuary.

The. Rev. Father Devoy, in thank* ing the parishioners for their attendance, notwithstanding the disagreeable state of the weather, bore testimony of the wonders done by the Catholics of Kamara, nnder the zealous guidauce of the Rev. Father M'Caughey, in the short space of four years : how a dense forest had been cleared away, buildings erected, and grounds laid out. He was pleased to see the unity that existed among the pastor and his flock, and he trusted that they would continue in doing their good works for greater honor and glory of God. His Worship the Mayor (John O'Hagan, Esq.) then read the following address:— To the Rev. Father M'Caughey, S.M. Rev. and Dear Father—

We, the Catholics of Kumara, Waimea, Stafford, and Greenstone have learned with regret that you are about to take your departure from amongst us. We cannot suffer you to do so, without expressing oar sincere regret at this separation, It is now about four years since you commenced to labor amongst us for the greater honor and glory of God and for our spiritual good. During this time we have had abundant proof of your untiring energy for our eternal welfare, especially at Kumara, where you leave a new church, school, and presbytery, as standing me* morials of your zeal in the oause of our Eternal Master.

We regret extremely that your incea* sant labors have had so. detrimental an effect on your once robust constitution, that your ecclesiastical superiors have consequently deemed it prudent to give you a change to a place more suited to your present state of health.

Before leaving us then we beg to return ■you our heartful thanks for all your kindness to us, and also for your truly zealous efforts on our behalf, and we pray that our Divine Lord may be pleased soon to restore you to health and strength, in order that you may continue to labor with your unwonted zeal in His Vineyard. We now beg that you will be. pleased to accept the accompanying purse of sovereigns, as a small token of our esteem and gratitude. Signed on behalf of the Catholics of the above-mentioned districts. Jno. O'Hagan (Mayor of Kutnara), Patrick Duggan, JOHK MuLHEARN, Patrick Dee.

The Rev. Father M'Oaughey thanked the Catholics of Kumara, Wairaea, Stafford, and Greenstone for their testimony of love and esteem. He well remembered his first arrival at Kumara, and the impressions a new rush made upon him. It afforded him the greatest consolation to see. that in the short period of its existence Catholic piety and perseverance had worked wonders in the cause of religion. I:is efforts were so willing and ably seconded by the congregation that the words of praise uttered by the Rev. Father Devoy were theirs, not his, so he would not be able to effect those things without the co-operation be received. He trusted that when it pleased Providence to afford him an opportunity of revisiting Kumara, he would find them in the possession of every blessing spiritual and temporal. After a few well-chosen remarks from His Worship the Mayor,' and from the delegates of Waimea, Stafford, and Greenstone, The Rev. Father M'Caughey then gave his blessing, and, with word of consolation to each, the meeting terminated.