5. MARY'S CHURCH, HAMILTON

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 3070, 19 March 1892, Page 2

5. MARY'S CHURCH, HAMILTON

Considerable disappointment was felt b; the children attending the Roman Catholi schools at Hamilton when Thursday morn ing (St. Patrick's Day) broke wet, and thei picnic could nut be held. However, thi Oddfellows' Hall was eugaged, and not withstanding the inclemency of the weather over one hundred children attended. Vari oua amusement? and competitions were pro vided during the day, the boys being fc.ikei out on to Sydney Square during the line intervals, wbera races were run. Thi prizes which were presented to the variou winners were of a very handsomt ant varied description, and gave universal satis faction to tho recipients. A plentifu supply of good things was provided, ant ample justice was done to them by thi children. During the afternoon a largi number of the adult members of Fathei O'Gara's late flock attended at the hall fo the purpose of saying good-bye to theii esteemed and loved pastor. About • o'clock Mr \V. Jones, on behalf of thi parishioners, presented Father O'Gara witl a purse of sovereigns and an address. Mis: Stokes, on behalf of the children attending the schools, presented the reverend fathei with a handsome travelling bag. Ir acknowledging the handsome presents, Father O'Gara said he hoped that hi.parishioners would excuse him for nol wishing them good-bye individually, as ht would have liked to have done, but the short notice of his removal prevented him doinsr so. It was very evident that he wa> especially gratified with the presentation by the children, with whom he was such n general favourite. In wishing them goodbye, he said wherever his future lot might be cast, he would always look back with very uleas-int recollections on the time spent in his Waikato parish. yesterday morning a large number ol his parishioners attended at the Hamilton railway station to see tho last of tha most popular parish priest that has over been .stationed in Waikato.