VALEDICTORY ADDRESS TO THE REV. FATHER TRESALLET.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume II, Issue 99, 20 March 1875, Page 7

VALEDICTORY ADDRESS TO THE REV. FATHER TRES AL LET.

■*. -*■ A meeting of the Catholics of Wanganui was held in St. Mary's Schoolroom recently, for the purpose of presenting to the Rev. Father Tresallet, on his departure for Sydney, an address, a watch, and a purse of sovereigns. The address was elegantly illuminated by Mr. G. F. Allen, and was much admired for the chasteness of its design. At a few minutes after eight o'clock, the Rev. Father Tresallet, accompanied by the Rev. Father Kirk, and some of the members of the congregation, entered the room, which was well filled. The Rev. Father Kirk being voted to the chair, he addressed the meeting, stating the object for which it had been convened. Then Mr. Purcell, on behalf of the congregation, read the address, which conveyed in beautiful language testimony to the sterling virtues of the beloved Pastor, and to the high esteem and sincere affection of his people for him, as well as their grateful appreciation of his zeal and generous exertions in the cause of Religion and Education. Father Tresallet, on receiving the address and its handsome accompaniment, returned thanks in most feeling and affectionate terms. He said he could not find words to express his deep and. heartfelt gratitude for this, another to be added to the many proofs they had already given him of their loving attachment. Although, now about to realize his cherished idea of going to Sydney, he would not help feeling deep sorrow at parting from so many dear friends. He was, however, happy to leave them in the hands of one so eminently qualified by his virtue, learning, and experience to guide them along the path that leads to Heaven. At the conclusion of the rev. gentleman's reply, the Rev. Father Kirk addressed the meeting, congratulating the parishoners of St. Mary's on the excellent spirit of faith and charity which they had evinced in coming forward so spontaneously and generously to comfort the heart of their pastor by showing that his zeal and charity were not lost upon them, and that their hearts were gained by his unpretending, irresistible virtue. He depicted in lively colors the clouds and bright spots of the priest's life, in which the. consolations he experiences abundantly atone for his troubles and his crosses, even if a greater and nobler reward did not await him in Paradise. He concluded an eloquent address by expressing his delight at the consoling doings of the evening, which were for him an index of the excellent qualities of the people with whom he would henceforth have to deal. A vote of thanks being passed to the Chairman, the meeting broke up. We learn that the purse, which contained over fifty sovereigns, was made and embroidered by Mrs. Cordoza. We learn, also, that a presentation to have been made by the school children to the rev. gentleman, was, owing to the races, unavoidably postponed until Tuesday next. — ' Evening Herald.'