COMPLIMENTARY CONCERT.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 10713, 28 November 1912, Page 5

COMPLIMENTARY CONCERT.

TO THE REV. DEAN McKENNA. What must be termed one of the most successful social functions that have ever boon held in Mustorton took place in the Town Hall last owning, the occasion being a complimentary concert and presentation to tiio ,Ve,ry Rev Dean McKenna, .on tho twenty-fifth• anniversary of his ministration in Masterton.

Tlie chair was occupitK.l by I3.is Worship tho Mayor (Mr J. M. Coradine) •and tho building was crowded to the door.

A splendid programme* of musical and instrumental items was arranged, and included artists whoso talents are widely known throughout the Wainirapa and Wellington. Two singers, well-known to Masterton audiences, in Miss N. Twohill and Mr D. Kenny were unavoidably absent, but their places on tho programme were ably filled by volunteers.

During an interval in the proceedings the chairman performed the most important duty of tho evening in maktho presentation to Dean. Mr Coradine, in a lengthy speech, said that all were present that evening t-o do honour to one who had spent twen-y-fivo yearn of his life among them, during which time the amount of good done for the community by that gentleman wa.s known to all. During his long sojourn in Masterton Doan McKenna had identified himself with tho progress and advancement of tlie district, and ho (Mr Coradine) thought it an honour to "be the medium of conveying to the Dean a token .of the esteem in which he was held by the •community. Tho Mayor referred to the financial ability of tho Dean, which had enabled him to raise up a number of educational institutions which would bo a lasting monument to his earnest endeavour t-o benefit the community. When tho Dean arrived in the Masterton district, the -churches and schools under his charge were in anything but a sound financial condition, but all this had been changed, and these institutions were now 'in a flourishing condition. Tlio work which Dean McKenna had done for '■education would never bo forgotten. Apart from education and the work of his church, tho Dean had always associated himself with recreation, sport and everything which was likely to be of advantage to the neople of the town. He (the Mayor) could hardly put in adequate words the amount of valuable and permanent good which the Dean was responsible for in Masterton. Tt might bo safely said that lie who did not know'. Dean McKenna know nothing of Masterton's public men. He congratulated the poople on having such an adviser •as tho Dean, and he would congratulate tho 'Dean on his life-long service in tho interests of his people in this district. They were' gathered that ■ evening to show their regard for one whoso excellent work was appreciated and recognised at its true worth. He was sure that it was the highest pleasure to tho people to present him with a token of tlveir esteem. The Mayor then read the following address, which was beautifully bound and illuminated in a magnificent album, and signed by the members of the ccmmitte, which was responsible for the work. A purse of ono hundred sovereigns was also presented t-o tho Dean, and the Mayor said that ho was euro a .substantial cheque would be following. He would conclude by wishing the Dean a most enjoyable voyage to the Homeland, and a safe return to his friends in Masterton. (Laud applause.) Tho Mayor then read tho address as follows

THE VERY REVEREND DEAN McKENNA.

Very Reverend and Dear Father, The 23rd day of November, 1912, is tho 25th anniversary of your appointment to tho charge of tho Masterton parish. Your parishioners desire to extend to you their heartiest congratulations on this joyful event. Tho parish when you first, came to it was not in a very prosperous condition, and was burdened with a, heavy debt, which hung like a millstone round its neck. Under your able administration, however, in a comparatively short space of. time, the liability-was disposed of, and. the pariah is now in a sound financial position.

Some years ago, through your instrumentality, the Convent property was acquired, and the Sisters of the Order of St Brigid introduced into our midst. Under their beneficial influence, education in the true sense of the term has been imparted to the children of your flock, both religious and secular knowledge of the best and highest order —a boon of inestimable value.

The accomplished Sisters, by their religious zeal in tho moral and religions training of the children under their care, have produced most beneficial results, not only to those immediately instructed, but on the Oatholic community «vs a whole. The great blessing of having such an institution in our midst is greatly appreciated. For this work alone, the Catholics of Masterton and its vicinity are deeply indebted to you. Since your advent to the parish you have, also extended the benefits of our lioly .religion, by tho erection of churches iin those parts of your parish which were greatly in. need of them. These monuments of the result of your excellent administration, will over bear testimony to the fa<rt of your earnest

desire to provide for the spiritual and temporal .welfare of the parish, and of those committed to your charge. The forethought which you have displayed in providing for the future interest of the parish will be appreciated by parishioners of coming generations. Your parishioners trust that God may spare you for many years, to continuo your ministry in this parish where you have spent the most of . your ordination to the priesthood.— ] Signed on behalf of the parishioners, ' A. R. Bunny (chairman.) M. C. O'Connell (treasurer) i J. A. McEwen (secretary) j H. S! O'Leary \ J. O'Dowd ' A. J. Percy ■ A. Stempa j •J. C. Cooper j J. Savage 1 B. Chapman J. C. MoKillop S. Oonnell ' !

Th© Dean_, who, in rising to reply, was received with prolonged applause, said that thero woro times in the life of all men when, words failed to give adequate expression to their sentiments, and that - time had come to him, on this occasion when he saw the large audience, preside! over by the Chief Magistrate, gathered there

to do liim honour. Ho saw before him persons from ovory class, some who were present to greet him on his arrival in Masterton twenty-five years ago, others who had lately arrived in the district, and lastly tho children, to whom in the years to come they would look to to carry on the work which their elders wero carrying on to-day. All these had loyally helped him -during his long sojourn amongst thorn, and as tho years had passed tho bonds wero strengthened. He felt the more gratified that the address which had been, that evening presented to him, had been stamped, signed and sealed in'such' a manner, I and by those with whom he had a long •acquaintance. The Dean referred to I his labours in connection with the , church and education during the past twenty-five years, and said that all I financial difficulties had been overcome and everything was now on a sound footing. In referring to education, he said that during his 2o , years in Masterton, his people had saved the Government of the country 'quite £20,000 by carrying on their own educational institutions in Mas- [ terton. All this had been dono becauso tho people were loyal and generous, and he had pleasure in saying that ho was proud to be the pastor of such a people, (Applause.) He would like to say that he was thank- | i'ul for the liberality and broadmind- [ edness which was characteristic of the people, and ho wished that it were | only more general. In concluding the i Dean thanked those clergy who were | present to honour him, and those who wero responsible for tho address, and I those who substantiated it by a purse of sovereigns. (Applause.) ! The following programme was rendered during the evening: Part I. — Overture (selection), Mi- McKenzie's orchestra; song ("My Old Shako"), Mr W. Tggulden ; trio ("Tako oh Takti Those Lips Away"), Missos T. McEnroe and A. and R. Segrief; Highland Fling, Mifcs Essio Sutherland; song, ("Homo Sweet Homo"), Miss A. Segrief; musical Skotch ("A Village Concert"), Mr A. W. Newton; Irish Jig, Miss F. Hanley; song ("A Perfect Day"), Miss Jameson. Pari} II. —Overture (selection), Mr MeKenzie's Orchestra; song (selected), Ma- P. Hunn; duet ("Still as fcho Night"), Misses A, and R. Segrief; song ("Tho Last Rose of Summer"), Miss T. McEnroe; song and dance ("Tho Uz-guz-goozolum"), Mr A. W. Newton 1 ? dance, Master Ponji]d Sutherland; song ("Kathleen Mavourneen",) Miss R. Segrief; song (selected), Mr W. Iggtdden.