BANQUET AND PRESENTATION TO FATHER COFFEY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1267, 20 November 1884, Page 3

BANQUET AND PRESENTATION TO FATHER COFFEY.

A banquet was given on Thursday evening last to the Rev. Rather Coffey, of Ashburton, at Butler’s Family Hotel, prior to that gentleman’s departure to Queenstown, Otago, of which parish he has assume* charge. There was a very large representative gathering, and a number of apologies were read from gentlemen who from a variety of causes were unable to attend, but in writing took occasion to express their esteem for Father Coffey, and their regret at the rev. gentleman’s impending departure. Mr James Quigley occupied the chair, and was supported by the guest of the evening, Rev. Father Coffey, and Messrs Ward, Slimy, and St. Hill. Mr John Devery filled the vice-chair. Several toasts were proposed and responded to by Messrs Sealy, Revans, Bird, Nelson, Ward, Restell, Higgins, St. Hill and Mills, and in the course of the evening the following address was presented to Father Coffey, accompanied by a purse of 100 sovereigns “To the Rev. E. Coffey, late Parish Priest, Ashburton. Reverend and dear Sir, — We your sincere friends, have assembled here to tender you our warmest sympathy on your lust night amongst us. We deeply regret the late actions of your enemies towards you, inasmuch as they tried to disturb the tranquility of your mind by false representations; but we rejoice to think your troubles were of short duration, and so transient that we may truly say the little spark of enmity was soon lost in the deep waters of affection. We are exceedingly sorry that you are leaving our midst, but feel confident that the people of the parish over which you are now appointed pastor will soon learn that in you they have found a priest worthy of their respect and confidence, and that high mark of distinction which vou so justly deserve as a faithful minister of the Church. As a small token of our esteem and regard for you, we now present you with a purse containing 100 sovereigns, and trust you will accept it and the best wishes of your friends, who will be ever mindful of you.—(Signed.) James Quigley, P. Dovane, Con. Sullivan, C. Grant, W, Burns, J. Devery, E. Higgins, T. Whelan, P. Doosey, H. Cullen, for one hundred others.” Father Coffey, in response, referred to the cordial relations which existed between himself and other denominations. It had been hi# pride and privilege to maintain the most cordial relations with all the other denominations. Although holding different creeds, their object was one, and they all sought one glorious Christian end. He hoped he would still be able to avoid all unchristian dissensions, and advance the interest of his church and the good of the community. There was no doubt that he had made enemies. If he had set himselt to please, irrespective of the dictates of his conscience, he might have succeeded in making friends of everybody, but his first duty was to his church, and in following this he unfortunately offended some. He did not wish to exalt himself, he was human and subject to human failings, but he had done his utmost for the benefit of his congregation. He hoped they would now set aside all dissension and live in unity and peace, and that every blessing of God would fall upon the peonle of Ashburton. He particularly thanked the bankers of the town for the liberal aid he had given his church in all its undertakings. He thanked Mr Joseph Ward, as the facile priuceps of his Protestant friends, for the assistance he had always cheerfully given, and pressed his deep gratitude to the business men and general public of Ashburton for their kindly help. After all present had bidden the rev. gentleman farewell, the proceedings came to a close.