HAWERA.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 May 1917, Page 3

HAWERA.

A POPULAR PRIEST. PRESENTATION TO DEAN POWER. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Tin; parishioners of St. Joseph's, HaWcra, assembled in strong' force in the Reman Catholic schoolroom on Monday evening for the purpose of making a presentation to the Very Rev. Dean Power, and expressing their high appreciation of his services during the past la years. /■> Mr -13. McCarthy, who presided, said the gathering had boon promoted by the Hibernian Society, the Catholic -Federation, and. the parishioners, to mark the unity existing between Dean Poiwct and his people, and to make the gathering complete the children had been incjuded. He described the progress made by the. Catholic community during the!" long period Dean -Power had been in charge of the parish; his work, which had been fruitful, was deeply appreciated by hi; people. In conclusion, he asked ?.! ; O'Dea to present tho Dean with a, cheque and a memento—a short -but appreciative address in (book form, signed by tli.; parishioners as a mark of the iinity which existed between pastor and people.

Mr O'Dea, after referring to the changes that had taken place in the parish during the past 19 years, asked Dean Power to accept not only a purse containing about 'GO sovereigns, but also the following address:—"lnspired by a desire to acknowledge a true union 'bebivven priest and people, gained by an experience of IS years' pastorate, and to offer a luiniMe tribute of admiration of one intellectually gifted with a real love and veneration of Holy Faitlu. we, the members of the Catholic. Federation, Hibernian Society, and parishioners of Hiiwera and district, desire your acceptance of the accompanying chalice. Treasuring the hope that you may long be endowed with health and' strength to follow your high ideals in our midst. — (Signed) J. Bartlett, president, and C. >S. Shanahnn, secretary, Catholic Federation ; M. J. Fennel], president, and L. 0. Hooker, secretary, Hibernian Society." j

Oil behalf of the children, Miss >Mollie Potter and Miss Ena Ranch presented the Dean with a cheque for £IS, collected by and among the little ones themselves.

The Deani,. in responii'rag, most heartily thanked the parishioners for the honor tiioy had dona him on his Feast Bay, and for the kind things that had been said ahont him and his work. He did' not think, however, that he was entitled to all the credit for wilmt had been accomplished, as without the loyal and earnest aid of his people he probably would havo been ahlo to do but little. The presentations he had received that night, however, he intended to use for the purpose of purchasing a gold chalice, and to obtain a replica of one of the finest chalices ever seen. The, parish, he might add, was one of the best equipped in Xew Zealand; it was a most desirable parish, and the envy of all the parish priests in the Dominion. In conclusion, the Dean said he was very grateful to his parishioners for their marks of appreciation of the goodwill which existed between his people and himself. During the evening an excellent musical programme was given, it being thoroughly enjoyed by the large assemblage.