FAREWELL TO father O’CONNOR, ROSS

New Zealand Tablet, 20 March 1913, Page 24

FAREWELL TO father O’CONNOR, ROSS

(From an occasional correspondent.)

On the evening of Friday, February 7, prior to his departure from itoss to taKe charge of Lincoin, Rev. Father O'Connor was farewelled at a public gathering. During the ten years of his residence in Westland, Father O'Connor had made many friends, not only among his own liock, but also among the general public, and the gathering, which taxed the Totara Hall to its utmost capacity, was one that was representative of every section of the community. On the platform there were present, in addition to Father O'Connor, Rev. Father Hanrahan, who succeeds him in the charge of Ross, Mr. Bruce (the Mayor), Messrs. Grimmond, J. Minehan, M. Moye, Houlahan, and several other prominent citizens and members of the congregation.

The proceedings opened with a number of vocal and instrumental items, capably rendered, after which the Mayor (who presided), in a eulogistic speech, referred to the object of the gathering, and spoice in the most flattering terms of the many excellent qualities of Father O'Connor. He referred to the whole-hearted support he had given to everything calculated to advance the interests of the Westland district, particularly instancing the support he had always readily given in matters relating to the Totara Hospital.

Miss Nellie Etheridge, on behalf of the school children, read the following address: ' Rev. Dear Father,—We, your devoted little children, surround you to-night with mingled feelings of joy and regretjoy, in that you are receiving from your people marks of appreciation which during your long sojourn in Ross you have so well merited, but regret in that we are assembled, to bid you adieu. We, more than our elders, owe you a deep debt of gratitude. _ Have you not, Rev. dear Father, made ail of us children of the Church by Baptism; and when we came to the use of reason have you not bestowed much care in preparing and instructing us for our First Communion. It shall be our aim all our.lives to reflect credit on our early training. Rev. dear Father, before saying good-bye, we beg your acceptance of the accompanying little gift, and we would ask you to keep it as a souvenir of your little Ross children. ' Signed on behalf of all by Rose Pedraggi, Irene Goad, Nellie Etheridge, John Houiahan, Maurice Coughlan, Victor Pawson.'

Mr. Thomas Houiahan read the following address on behalf of the residents of Ross and South Westland :

• ' Rev. and dear sir,We, the residents of this district, feel that we cannot allow you to depart from our midst without addressing to you some expression of our. sincere regret at your departure. During your eleven years' residence we recognise that outside your particular sphere of religious duties, which have at all times been faithfully observed, you have by your urbane manner and ready acquiescence in furthering the interests of one and all endeared your personality to a great many besides the adherents of your Church. Your valued assistance in the establishment of the Seddon library and reading room and your gratuitous efforts in connection with our hospital we here gratefully acknowledge, and desire to convey to you the esteem and appreciation of your fellow citizens. We deeply that your recent severe illness has so seriously impaired your wonted vigor as to cause his Lordship the Bishop to remove you from the rigorous hardships of this parish. In wishing you farewell, we would implore God's richest blessing on you with every desired success in your high and noble calling,' and ask your acceptance of this small token of our esteem and good-will towards you. 'Signed on behalf of the residents of Ross and South Westland by T. W. Bruce, M.C.C.; S. S. Ferguson, M.C.C.; John Butler, Fredk. Williams," J. P. Minehan, Michael Moye.' Mr. Houiahan then handed Father O'Connor a well-filled purse of sovereigns.

Mr. Grimmond, chairman of the Westland County Council, spoke in the highest terms of the guest of the evening, and recalled many occasions on which the Rev. Father's well-known generosity and kindness of heart had been displayed.Rev. Father O'Connor, who on rising was greeted with applause, thanked the people for their great kindness to him shown by their generous gifts. Their generosity to him on this occasion was only in keeping with what he had always experienced at their hands. Ten years was a long time to look back on, yet he could safely say that the period spent in Ross would always be regarded by him as the happiest of his life. He cordially thanked all who had helped to make the gathering the unqualified success it was, especially the performers and the local band. He looked forward to returning to Ross at some early date, when he hoped to renew old acquaintances, and finally he bespoke for his successor, Father Hanrahan, the same loyalty on behalf of the parishioners, and the same goodwill that he had received from the public. The Mayor then, on behalf of the citizens of Ross, extended a very hearty welcome to Father Hanrahan. ; Rev. Father Hanrahan, who on rising was greeted with a hearty West Coast welcome, thanked the people for the warmth of their reception. He had heard of the kindness and warm-heartedness of the Coast people —in fact it was proverbial—and even in the short time he had been among them he had experienced the greatest kindness at their hands. He would endeavour at all times in his relations with his congregation and with the public at large to keep up the traditions of his predecessor both as priest and citizen. After a vote of thanks had been passed to the chairman for presiding, hearty cheers were given for Father O'Connor, followed by a round for Father Hanrahan, and the singing of ' Auld lang syne' brought to a close probably what was the most successful function ever held in this district.

A similar gathering was held at Rimu on the evening of February 10, when representatives of the congregation met to say farewell to Father O'Connor. On behalf of the children he was presented with a travelling bag, and Mr. W. Boyd, on behalf of the parishioners, asked his acceptance of a purse of sovereigns;