SILVER JUBILEE OF VERY REV FATHER KEOGH, S.M., B.A.

New Zealand Tablet, 27 August 1908, Page 24

SILVER JUBILEE OF VERY REV FATHER KEOGH, S.M., B.A.

(By Telegraph from our Wellington correspondent.)' August 25. The celebration of the Very Rev. Father Keogh's silver jubilee was an unqualified success. On Monday evening the students of "St. Patrick's College presented him with a fine set of breviaries. This morning, in the presence of the visiting clergy, Solemn High Mass was celebrated in St. Joseph's Church, Buckle street, by the Rector himself, Rev. Father Quinn being deacon, Rev. Father McCarthy subduacon.' The 'occasional sermon, which was on the dignityof the priesthood, was "preached by the Veoy Rev. Father Regnault, S.M. (Provincial). At i .p.m. the faculty of the College entertained the Rector, the organising committee, and the visiting clergy at luncheon at the College. The Right Hon. the Premier was present, also hii Worship the Mayor of Wellington, Mr. H. D, Bell, K.C., Hon. Mr. Fowlds (Minister of Education), and many prominent members of the Catholic laity of Wellington. The proceedings were most enthusiastic, and the Rector's health was enthusiastically honored. To-night a concert in honor of the occasion was held in the Town Hall, Dr. Thomas Cahill in the chair. There was a great attendance of citizens of all denominations. On the platform were a large number of local and visiting clergy, including his Grace Archbishop Redwood, Very Rev. Father Regnault, Very Rev. O'Shea, V.G., Yen. Archdeacon Devoy, Very Rev. Dean McKenna (Masterton). • There were also on the platform the Jewish Rabbi (Rev. -Van Staveren), Rev. J. K. Elliott and Rev. James Patterson (Presbyterian), Dr. Tudor Jones (Unitarian), Hon. T. W. Hislo|> (Mayor of. Wellington), Mr. Martin Kennedy. Mr. L. Dwan, Mr. R. O. Collins, Hon. George Fowlds (Minister of Education), Mr. E. J. Fitzgibbon. An excellent concert programme was gone through, songs being, rendered by Miss May Driscoll, Miss Violet Lamacroft, Mr. A. S. Ballancc, Rev. Father Hills, S.M., and Miss McDonald delighted the> audience with her exquisite violin playing. The audience was most enthusiastic, and every performer was heartily encored. At the conclusion of the concert programme the Chairman, in an excellent speech, eulogised the work done by the Very Rev. Father Keogh, and, on behalf of his friends, congratulated him on the attainment of his sil\er jubilee- and wished him a long and happy life- He also read a large. number of apologies fro>n people from end to end of the Dominion expressing regret at their inability to be present. His Worship the Mayor of Wellington, in a singularly -happy and appropriate speech, also congratulated the Rector, and, said that he was pleased to be present as the Chief Magistrate and representative of the. citizens of Wellington, and- on their behalf to present the rev. guest with an address and a purse of 320 sovereigns. His Worship then read the following address, which will be illuminated and framed at -a later date: — ' Very Reverend and Dear Father, — On this happy occasion, when .you celebrate the 25th aniversary of your ordination to the sacred, office, of the' priesthood, we desire- to tender you an expression of our sincere appreciation and> affectionate regard," so that the devoted service of a quarter-century may-be crowned by a tribute of -respect and esteem' from your friends and admirers throughout the Dominion. The- ability and' success which

"characterised l'-.yowrxrozk., as an educationist in-*th|'. : latid>o£;^Qur ■ "birth ' have- be'eir- ; mah}festedi'a«J:the,\Jiigfi' J s"tandard ;of LciiUure -\vhtqh,. * ; . ■' obtains at St. Palrick-s: College Jo-djay, and which i»- reflected . in. the splendid- results achieved -by ■ pupils oL 4 tha insjfeitution/.at'r „ 'the public, examinations. But youy influence" has' noflSccrij. j confined to jour work' as a "teacher. ' Endowed \vith ' a proSd-, .'-"minded spirit,- a kindly, and. generous nature}',you have won' for "' '. , yourself many friends, amongst, all classes, .in t this country, ' and' they join with us in "wishing you a long and happy life.' The address was signed by -piominent citizens in various > spheres of activity.- "~*. . . ■ . The Hon. the Minister of Education 'also spoke, and eulogised the work done by tlie' Rector at St. Patrick's College, not only." . in- the classroom, but also in • moulding . the character, of boys.under his care, and made special mention of the interest he took in tht outdoor life of the students. - A . . ■

Mr. E. J. Fitzgibbon^ who spoke as the representative of the young New Zealanders, refened to the debt of gratitude due b} r young, New Zealanders to those pioneers of learning, who -by their efforts in the pasC and at the present time were laying the foundations of good ckizenship of lhe future. ■<

The Very Rev. Father Keogh, on rising to respond, -was accorded a tremendous ovation, the appla\ise lasting for several minutes and breaking out again and again" when he attempted to 1 speak. 'In the course of a very happy 'speech, -the Rector - gave several anecdotes, expressed his sincere thanks to all who had braved the inclemency— oj the night in order to be' present, and to the subscribers for the testimonial they had- given him. He also expressed his intention of spending the purse of sovereigns in the fitting up of an up-to-date chemica' laboratory nt *t«e College, which statement was received with enthusiastic appHurte. A hearty vote of thanks to the chairman concluded a highlysuccessful function. ' [Further particulars will appear in -our next issue. — -"Ed". N.Z.T.)