Waipawa

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXII, Issue 42, 20 October 1904, Page 15

Waipawa

The convent schoolroom was crowded on Tuesday evening, October 4 (says the ' Waipawa Mail '), when a social was held to welcome the Rev. Father Johnston on his return from 'a visit to the United Kingdom and America. An execllont musical programme was given before the formal business of the evening and was highly appreciated. After the orche.st.ra had given the opening overture, Mr. J. Cos^rove contributed an euphonium solo, arud the Misses Flynn, Boylo and Shainly, and Mesyr«u Ecjcletotn, Shamly (2), arid Malloy sa,ng. The committee, consisting of Messrs. S. MeGreevy, T. Butler, F. Siianly, and M. Murray, on behalf of ttho parishioners of St. Patrick's, then pres-ented Father Johnston with an address, which was read by Mr. McGrcevy. The text was as follows :— ITo the Kov. Fatiher Johnston, parish priest of Wailpawa. Dear and Rev. Father, — We have assembled here this evening for the purpose of giving you a hearty welcome back from your visit to your native country. The plcasirp felt <n having you once again wiith us' hay been an incentive to your parishioners to congregate here to-night to tonder their love and respect for you. During your absence we diligently watched for news concerning you, and learnt from time to time by the brief notifications sent that you were titior Eligibly enjoying yourself and that you were visiting many of the bea,uty s.pota of the world. In this we were pleased, for we felt that not only would you be benefited by such travels and sight-seeing, but we, your parishioners, through your instructions, would also reap a share of the. fioori to be derived from such experiences. Again, Father, we offer you a hearty welcome back to the shores of New Zealand, and we trust that you will long be spared to administer the spiritual requkemenfe of the parish of Waipawa. And as a token of our good feeling we asdc y/ou to actept this small gift as a memento of this auspicious occasion.— Signed o'n.behalfi of the parishioners, S. McGreevy, T. Butler, M. Murray, J, A. ti. CoSgrove, F. Shanly.' Accompanying the address was a cheque, which the rev. gentleman was >asikdd to accept. Father Johnston thanked tH«i donors for the kind sentiments expressed arid for their generous and unexpected present. In the course of an able and interesting speech he described some of the sights he had witnessed during his trip.

Miss Eccletoin tifoeji 1 played a pianoforte siolo. Song? wore contributed by Miss Lyons, Mr. J. Cosgrave,' a djuet by Messrs. Stianly, and Mr. Schaffer gave a recitation. Tho accompaniments were played by tihe MissesEccleton, Moroney, Boyle, and Coggrove. A liberal supply of refreshments was provided.