Presentation to Father Servajean, Blenheim

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXII, Issue 44, 3 November 1904, Page 19

Presentation to Father Servajean, Blenheim

An interesting and popular function (says the ' Marlboiough Daily 'limes ') took place at the social gathering held in St. Patrick's Hall on Wednesday evening, \viion thu Key. Father Servajean was presented, on beha.il oi a laige number ot friends, with a mark of esteem, on the occasion of his forty-hrst birthday. Some time atter nine o'clock a considerable number of gentlemen ascended the platform of the hall, and, in the presence of the large gathering assembled at the social, Mr R. McCallum (president of the Exhibition Executive Committee) presented the guest of the occasion with a puisc containing H so\eieign.s. Air McCallum said that they all knew Father Servajean not only as a pastor of his own flock, but as a eiti/en worthy ot all the honors ot true citizenship. Father Servajean had always felt it incumbent upon nimseli to help on any movement that made for the social weltare and happmess of the community ; and they wcie taking advantage ot this public occasion to tender to him on his natal day some recognition of the broadnnnded interest he had taken in public matters. Mr. McCallum then relerred to the active part taken by Father Servaiean in the work of the Exhibition, and pleasantly relerred to him as the popular ' chaplain ' of the Exhibition Committee They wished to express thru appreciation of his liberal desire and his energetic etioits to promote the int-e esN of the people as a whole ; and, mindtul of ' La Belle France,' had brought the token up to the value of one thousand francs. Dr. Anderson added a tew words in appreciation of the public worth of Father Servaiean. Mr. Ct. W. Mclntosh also wished the recipient of the testimonial many happy returns of the day. Father Servajcan's heart was as generous privately as his head was able in matters allecting the general weal. He spoke ot his services as a supporter of the A. 6c P. As. social ion and the Acclimatisation Society, as well as an Exhibition worker. Mr. F. Shaw (vice-president of the Exhibition Association) paia .a tribute to the active interest displayed by Father Servajean in the progress of public institutions. The Rev. Father Servajean, who was received With applause, said that he was very grateful for the handsome present, and the kind remarks with which it was accompanied. He felt that the gentlemen whio had given him this testimonial had either been blind to his faults, or he had been very successful in concealing them. He had met the members of the Exhibition Committee not as a priest but as a citizen, and he had bee n proud to associate with them. They had throughout had the courage of their convictions, had pulled together lor what they regarded as the commion good.

What he himscir had done he would always 'be prepared to do. iHe felt that everfjonc-shou]d,»4>ry to be ok some use to Ins fellow man,,. -.and tn.at h*td been his object throughout. In no place in, which he had ctfer lived had he been so happy and contented ;' and he had proved t 0 hiinselt that one only needed to come into contact with the people of this district to imd their true worth. He ecu Id not find words to express his gratitude for the \erv Kind lechng expressed towards him on this occasion. Three hearty rhpprs with musical honors brought the interesting tunction to a close. Subsequently Ibe gentlemen, numbering., about twenty, who took part in the ceremony?>&ktlie^ag6,' were-the .gliests' of the Rev. Father ServajeaP at ink pjesb&tcry. ■ <;' ':*• -V ,rr> *ti t ,':■ ;v.