PRESENTATION TO THE REV FATHER WALSHE, BY THE CATHOLIC BRASS BAND.

Kumara Times, Issue 2694, 11 May 1885, Page 2

PRESENTATION TO THE REV FATHER WALSHE, BY THE CATHOLIC BRASS BAND.

On Saturday evening at eight o’clock the members of the Kumara Catholic Brass Band met in St. Patrick’s schoolroom for the purpose of presenting to the Rev. Father Walshe a small memento, consisting of a greenstone cross, mounted with gold, and a gold pencil case, as a token of their appreciation of the reverend gentleman’s past services as President and Treasurer of the Band. The Secretary, Mr James Rochford, read the following address To the Rev, Father M. Walshe, Kumara. Rev. and very dear Father— We, the undersigned, on behalf of the Kumara Catholic Brass Baud, learn with regret that it has been necessary, in the interest of your health, to leave us at least for a time, which we sincerely hope and trust may be but brief. However, we cannot permit you to leave, even though for that time, without thanking you heartily and sincerely for the many kindnesses and favours which we have received from your hands, and the encouragement and support so generously accorded us by you. . J And now, dear Father, we beg your acceptance of the accompanying gold cross and pencil case, not for its intrinsic value, but as a token of our friendship and gratitude to one to whom we owe so much. Trusting that it may please God to restore to you your health, and that you may soon return to resume amongst us the labours that have borne such good fruits in the past, We beg to remain, Rev. dear Father, Your sincere friends, (Signed on behalf of the Band) W. T. Richards, Bandmaster, Hilmar Holst, John Corrigan, James Rochford, Hon. Sec. The rev. gentleman, in a very feeling manner, thanked the members of the Band for their kind address and valuable present, and stated that when he was asked to attend this meeting he was totally unaware of its object. He did not think that he was in any way entitled to such a mark of appreciation, because what he had done for the Band was very small and always afforded him a great amount of pleasure. After a few more brief remarks he concluded by again thanking the Band; after which they struck up “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow.”

The Rev. Father complimented Mr Richards on the state of efficiency he had brought the Band to, and hoped that they would continue to practice in the future as they bad done in the past. The Band then played “ Auld Lang Syne,” and the meeting terminated.