Presentation to Dean Burke at West Plains

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXVI, Issue 20, 21 May 1908, Page 15

Presentation to Dean Burke at West Plains

On Wednesday evening in the West- Plains Wail (writes our in.verca,rgill correspondent), the Very S ?S* .tf • le - tured OU his " cent t»*S? to a 7a 7 laSe and enthusiastic audience. The Very Rev Ln ™fo particularly happy in his renis a^d kept ?he a S once interested and amused throughout. Sonls were given ia,t intervals by Misses Kirwan, Mackly abd Robertson, and Mr. Cahill, Miss McGwth SSyfaig the accompaniments. ■ vw- u & "^ At the conclusion of the lecture Mr MehafiW (chairman) th a nk ( ed the Dean, on bfehalf of the S nThU +r S T an i nt f-estingf -esting and instructive account of his travels and trusted that in the near -future the Dean would afford them the pleasure of hearing further of the places of interest visited by him Mr. Ford on behalf of the ladies of the parish then presented him with, a handsome easy chadr and from his parishioners generally with a substantial purse of sovereigns, and the following address :— May it please your Reverence,— On thus, our first opportunity since your corn-ing home, we most heartily offer you a threefold welcome. Welcome back to New Zealand, the land of your adoption, the land .that has wo n your love by its be a iity and its bdunty. Welcome to your parish, where you are regarded as a true father and a sure guide ; where the old seek you for comfort, the young for advice and encouragement and where the liUle children dance in fearless delight around tine- much-loved Dean. Welcome to West Plains this evening, and again Welcome ; we are happy indeed to have you once more in our mddst, and to testify by our sincere joy to the place you hold in our hearts.

For years past you and your zealous assistant priests have faithfully ministered to us., with losing, care, through sunshine and storm, and we certainly are neither unmindful nor ungrateful. Our heartfelt prayer is that God may bless you in all your ways, and render your laibors more and more fruitful.

As a memento of this happy reunion, the lady portion of this congregation entreat you to accept an easy chair. To a person endowed with fairy sight it bears the legend, ' To stay at home is best,'

The men amongst us have not chosen a souvenir of such happy significance, but a protest as strong, though perhaps not so delicate as that of the ladies, would have t/jen raised at the mention of a(nyt(h ( ing suggestive of further travel. To have your reverence amongst us is a pleasure none is willing to forego.

We ask you to accept the accompanying gift as an appreciation, alihough an inadequate one, of your work and worth, and with it the assurance that no gift has ever come more from the hearts of the givers.

We remain, Very Rev. Father, gratefully and 1 sincerely yours in Christ.

Signed on behalf of the parishioners— Patrick -Joyce,, Michael Moloney, Michael Curran, John Flanagan, Michael Leonard, Thomas Staunton. West Plains, May 13, 1908.