Waihi

New Zealand Tablet, 11 September 1913, Page 51

Waihi

(From an occasional correspondent.) - - . : , August 29. ,■".': ; The Rev. Father Wright left for Australia on Monday night. Prior to his departure he was entertained by the Children of Mary at a musical evening, and was also farewelled by the members of the Waihi Catholic Club. He expects to return about the middle of October. The Rev. Father O'Malley, of St. Patrick's Cathedral, Auckland, has charge of the parish' during his absence. , r - \/ . A very pleasant little gathering of the Children of Mary took place in the schoolroom on the 20th inst. The occasion was a presentation of a purse of sovereigns to the Rev. Father Wright in connection with his departure to Australia for a short visit. An address was read by the president, to which Father Wright replied in suitable terms. The following musical items were given during the evening:Pianoforte duet, Misses McLoughlin and Hatton; song, ' Perfect day,' Miss McAnulty; song, ' Serenade in summer,' Miss Mannax; pianoforte solo, 'Remembrance,' Miss McLoughlin; song, 'My Rosary/ Miss Geary; song, 'Why must we say good-bye,'. Miss Hatton; pianoforte solo, 'With slightly strides,' Miss Hinchey. Refreshments were then handed round, after which what proved a most enjoyable evening was brought to a close.. , The usual weekly , meeting of the Catholic Club was held last night, when there was a fairly large attendance- of members, including the Rev. Father O'Malley. Mr. P. J. Lynch, (president) was in the chair. The secretary reported having purchased the Foresters' Hall at Waitekauri on behalf of the members, and congratulated the club on their bargain. Debentures were taken up by nearly every member to provide funds for the removal and re-erection of the building on a section at the rear of the presbtyery. A letter was read from the executive of the Federated Catholic Clubs asking for the names of clubs suitable to forming a district, also nominations for the office of district representative. Mr. J. J. Callaghan was nominated for the position. The president welcomed Mr. Moriarty, representative of the Tablet, and Mr. George Rice, of Auckland. Mr. Moriavty during the evening addressed the meeting at the invitation of the president. He made a very stirring appeal to all members to take the Tablet, and as a result he obtained quite a number of new subscribers. : A farewell smoke concert was tendered to Mr. Thos. Collins on Monday night in St. Joseph's Schoolroom by the members of the Waihi Catholic Club, of which 'he was vice-president. The president (Mr. P. J. Lynch) occupied the chair; on his right was the guest of the evening, and on his left Rev. Father O'Malley. The president in proposing t the toast of * Our Guest' spoke in very high terms of Mr. "Collins and of the good works he had performed while a resident of Waihi. He expressed the regret of all present in losing so valuable a member. He said he had much pleasure in presenting Mr. Collins, on behalf of the members, with a valuable pocketbook and cheque enclosed, and wished him long life and a successful future. The secretary (Mr. J. J. Callaghan) in supporting the president's remarks alluded to Mr. Collins' many sterling qualities. He could not allow the occasion to pass without paying tribute to the zeal Mr. Collins had always displayed in matters of interest to Waihi. He also referred to his good work on behalf of the Catholic Club, Hibernian Society, Druids, and Hospital conference. The Rev. Father O'Malley and Messrs. T. J. Ryan, A. E. Lovell, and W. Sullivan also paid a tribute to the good qualities of Mr. Collins. Mr. Collins thanked the officers and members for their kind references and goodwill towards him, and for their useful present. He regretted leaving Waihi as much as any of them. During the evening songs were rendered by Messrs. W. Woocls, T. Sharkey, E. Porter, P. J. Lynch, and J. Kennedy. Mr. Harbridge,officiated at the piano. • A very enjoyable evening was brought to a close by all singing ' Auld lang syne.'