POPULAR PRIEST

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 145, 11 February 1932, Page 4

POPULAR PRIEST

REV. FATHER SPEIRINGS FAREWELLED BY PARISH PRESENT ATIONS MADE The Catliolic community of Rotorua was well represented at a gathering in the Catliolic School last evening to bid farewell to the Rev. Father Speirings, who is leaving the district, and to ivelcome his suceessor, the Rev. Father O'Callaghan. Mr. F. Newmarch, speaking on behalf of the parishioners, said that it was a shock to hear that Father Speirings was iheaving this parish to take up new duties at Rawene. He regretted that they were not able to honour the Rev. Father in more fitting a manner, but he wished to thank him for the good work he had done in the parish. ; ; Father Speirings had been three years in Rotorua, but although the period had been comparatively short, lie' had done wonderful work. Mr. Newmarch also referred to the vigour with which Father. Speirings had led the Rotorua Unemployment Relief j Committee, and stated that the Rev. ! Father's work in this connection had brought honOur to the whole ■ Catholici community. Mr. Newmarch then asked Father Speirings to accept a small memento 1 of his association with the parish, | while on behalf of the Maori parishj iomjrs, Mr. Morrison presented the ! guest of the evening with a beauti- ! fully carved canoe paddle and : casket. A further tribute • was also ! paid by Mr. Norris, who stated that very deep regret was felt throughout the parish at the news of the i Rev. Father's impending departure. ; Mr. Norris also referred to the good ! work done by Father Speirings in the i f oi-xpation of a branch of the Society J of the Holy Name in Rotorua. I Replying, Father Speirings express- | ed his regret at his departure from • Rotorua.- He would have been happy to work in Rotorua for many years to come and he felt that he was leaving .at a time when he was just gaining the full confidence of his parishioners. Father Speirings then referred to his suceessor the Rev Father O'Callaghan who he felt sure would do as well, if not better, than he had done. ±Te thanlced the speakers for their kind words and the parishioners for their gifts. A welcome was then extended to Father O'Callaghan, by Mr. Newmarch, who hoped that his stay in Rotorua would he a pleasent one. f Father O' Callaghan in replying, said that he had heen in Rotorua about 1920, and that it was a pleasure to be back. Referring to the departure of Father Speirings, he said •jthey were losing a good man, but that their loss .would" he some one else's gain. He hoped that he would work well with his parishioners, and be able to keep up the standard of work in Rotorua set by Father Speirings. ; During the evening, entertaiifing itelns were given hy Mrs. Jones (songs); the Maori choir; Mrs Fleming and Mr. * Ellis, accompanied by Miss Ellis (violin duet); Miss Beamish (songs), and" Mr. Newmarch (humoiy.*ous stories.) Supper served hy the ladies, a short interval of dancing and the singing of "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow,': brought the evening to a close.