DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 March 1918, Page 7

DISTRICT NEWS.

KAPONGA. (From. Our Or.-u Coricspaudeiii). ' Between 60 and 70 parishioners asscia. bled ra the Town Hall on Thursday night to bid. farewell to rather GikiJJ, who has been parish priest li-:ro for the la.it five joars and has been 1 ransierrcfll to Vvaipawa. Mr. 1). Malonc was in in..-, eiiair. Lean Power, of Hiuwra, aj'.d the Rev. Fatlu.i Arkwright, of Elihain, were amongst those present. The evening took the form of a social gathering, songs being contributed by .Mrs. Conoily and Messrs Foster (2) and* C. Hill.' Miss J. "Melville, also gave an overture and played the accompaniments. At the conclusion of the social, Mr. M. J. Power, in a very pleasant and interesting speech, paid glowing tributes; to the departing guest and the great work he had fulfilled whilst in their midst, expressing regret on behalf of the parishioners and himßclf at the loss they had sustained through his departure, but wished him Hod speed and trusted he would long he spared to c-arrv on the great work for which he has been ordained. He then, amid applause, pro. seated Father Cahill with a cheque for £BB as a mark of their appreciation and love.

Dean Power said ho had known Father Cahill for about 21) years, during which time they had been very close friends. lie dwelt on the great work Father CTalnll had performed in all the parishes during thati time, namely, Carterton. Daimevirlce, Klthani and lvi[ o::; v i. in all of which rdao.es he had, been ins-iiM-lr.ental in having the churches moved to more central positions and a convent and presbytery built. TTc said Father Cahill was a man nf prosit foresight, and although he had had to contend with very great opposition from his parishioners (which h.e had eventually overcome) what lie had accomplished had turned out to be a groat advantage in fiirtheriivr the. great cause of Almighty Uod. (Anph'.nse). Father Arkwright said he had heard nothimr but what was of the highest 'spoken pi the departing uuest. Messrs Crowley, Whyte, M. FiUgerald, and Mills also spoke, expressing their regret at losing their priest, but all wished, him God sneed and trusted ho would long be spared to carry on his good work.

Father Cahill. on rising to respond, met with a very warm reception. Tfe said hi' fe't it very keenly hiivhi to sever his confection v/.iih then .He had always foi'iid his people very loyal am! thanked one. and all for the help thev had given him during hi.? term and trusted tliey would still work hand in hand together. He had great hopes thai in the near future they would have a resident pries* and also a convent. T7e heartily thanked them for their handsome gift and said that on any occasion he had the chance lie wonld pay them a visit. He thanked the Desn ai;d the other speakers for the nice things they had said about him, his only complaint b°ing that they were greatly exaggerated. The singing of "Auld Lane- Syne" and the National Anthem brought a very olensant evening to a elose. During tlic evening the ladius presented Miss Adams, Father Cahill's housekeeper, with a. handsome gold hrocsli as a marl; of their esteem.