REEFTON.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVIII, Issue 51, 20 December 1900, Page 4

REEFTON.

(From an occasional correspondent.) December 7th. An account of Reefton doings since last a contribution from this quarter appeared in the Tablet may not prove uninteresting to its readers. The newly-appointed parish priest at onoe after bis arrival took in hand the more urgent parochial works. The financial position first claimed attention, and, thanks to the loyal assistance of the congregation, Father Hickson was soon able to announce that an arrangement had been come to with the Bank of New Zealand, which bade fair to prove satisfactory to all parties. A rapidly increasing outward movement of the walls in the Reefton Church made it imperative to take protective measures. Accordingly strong iron tie-rods were put in and the walls were well braced together. A new main altar was provided and the sanctuary painted and re-decorated. Attention was then turned to the boys' school, a building which in the early days did duty as a church. Thiß has been transformed into a really fine building, well suited to the purposes to which it is turned. Just now a handsome picket fence is being erected around the grounds of the presbytery, and our parish priest hopes in the very near future to have the presbytery repainted. None of these works have added anything to the parish liabilities as appeals for the different undertakings were specially made, to which the congregation responded with their usual generosity. Over and above these improvements, the general surroundings of the church and presbytery have been attended to, so that the Catholic property in Reefton bears quite a creditable appearance. Three socials were held during the winter months with a view to improving the financial position, and the working committees brought such unanimity and energy to bear upon their labors that a great success was scored, the net result being £60. The Government inspector a few weeks back examined the pupils (if the sixth standard, and Father Hickson himself conducted the test for the lower standards. The result was eminently creditable alike to the pupils and to their painstaking teachers, the Sifters of Mercy. The children are now earnestly bent upoa giving further proof of their educational capabilities in th j public entertainment which is to come off ut an e.irly date. One of our local medicos, Doctor Whitton, recognieiDg the excellent work done by his daughters at the Sacred Heart High School, especially at the recent examinations, gave a delightful outing to all the pupils. Queen's weather prevailed, and when in the cool of the evening the pleasure-seekers returned to town they made the welkin ring with their joyousness. The beautiful devotion of the Quarant Ore took place in Reefton last month. The Jocal pastors were aided by brother-priests from neighboring parishes— Rev. Father King (Ahaura), and Rev. Father Malone, S.M. (Greymouth). On the second night of the Exposition Rev. Father Malone gave a very fine discourse on some devotional aspects of the Real Presence. It must have been very gratifying- to the friends and wellwishers of the assistant priest here— the Very Rev. Dean Rolland, S.M. — to notice that on the recommendation of the Petitions Committee, the Cabinet recognised in a tangible way the service* rendered by the worthy priest in the wars of the sixties. Dean Rolland was in 186.5 appointed chaplain to the regular foroes in Taranaki and in that capacity and with the rank of captain ministered to the 43rd, 70th and 10th regiments and the 18th Royal Irish. Subsequently he waa attached to the Colonial forces, was several times under fire and was taken prisoner at Opunake. In the storming of Ngutu-o-te-Manu in 1868 where the gallant Von Tempsky was killed Dean Rolland had actually to take np the duties of officer commanding the retreat with the ambulance, those on whom the duty would otherwise have devolved having been killed or being still engaged in the storming of the pah. Mr. Gudgeon in his Heroes of Aeiv Zxaland records that Father Rolland saved several lives. Last Christmas the Auckland Weekly Newt contained a full-page illustration of the gallant priest attending the wounded under fire. He was also present at Rewa-Rewa, and followed the militia under Lieut. Colonel McDonnell lately deceased, Major Hunter and Colonel now Sir George Whitmore. While with the Colonial forces the good priest received from the Government no remuneration whatsoever though he was still rated as a Captain with an orderly in attendance, and it was only in 1873 that he ceased his services as chaplain. Small wonder then that the Cabinet has voted a sum of LIOO to be paid to the Very Reverend Father aa some slight recognition of the great services he rendered to his adopted country in the Taranaki wars. He is still hale and hearty and will, it is hoped, be long spared to continue his ministration* in this district. Death has been very busy with his siokle daring the past winter in Reefton and has been particularly unsparing with the old identities. West Coasters in other parts may be anxious to hear the names of those taken from amongst us : John Patrick Harris, Thomas McKenna, Patrick MoLarry, Peter O'Neill, Matthew Walker

(received into the church on his deathbed), Michael Lynch, Denis Quigley, George O'Neill, Mrs. Coghlan, Mrs. Dawson, Mrs. Heaphy, Philip Barman, John Gannon. On whose soula sweet Jesus have meroy.