Palmerston North

New Zealand Tablet, 23 October 1913, Page 36

Palmerston North

(From our own correspondent.) October 19. A most successful social was held by the Catholics of Ashhurst on Thursday last in the Town Hall in aid of St. Patrick's bazaar, Palmerston. A large party journeyed out to assist at the function, which was a great credit to those who organised it. All thoroughly enjoyed the social, and a good sum is anticipated from their efforts. The net return of the proceeds from the recent concert and social in aid of the St. Vincent de Paul

Society's stall amounts to the very handsome sum of £3O. This sum includes the very generous donations of Mrs. H. N. Watson (£2), and Mr. J. Boeken (£1), fnwarrlo mucin «—J I~.' --C I._ii .v....„u uw iu ,jiug uiie muoio aim niic ui nail respectively, and Mr. F. Oakley (£1 10s) for the advertising. The tickets were donated by ! Messrs.' Keeling, and Mundy. *'-? -

All will regret the departure of the genial Dr. O'Brien for Melbourne./ The past week has been for him one round of presentations and addresses from different societies, and citizens, testifying to" the important part he has played in the public life of. our town during the past eight years. Dr. O'Brien was entertained at dinner on Saturday evening by the officers of the Wellington military district. He was also entertained at a banquet by the local sports bodies, and presented with a pair of field glasses.. After Vespers at St. Patrick's. Church on Sunday evening, Dr. and Mrs. O'Brien were met by Rev. Father McManus, Rev. Father Kelly, Messrs. Devine, Broad, Lynch, Boeken, Kennedy, .Hickey, and Gleeson, on behalf of the parishioners, and were handed presentations by Rev. Father McManus. Mrs. O'Brien received a beautiful rose bowl, and Dr. O'Brien a handsome solid silver cigarette case. In making the presentations, Rev. Father McManus voiced the regret of the parishioners at Dr. and Mrs. O'Brien's departure from Palmerston North. ' The doctor's genial personality,' he said, ' had endeared him to all, and his generosity gave him a special claim to the grateful remembrance of the Catholics of Palmerston.' To Mrs. O'Brien they were no less indebted. She had always been a generous and devoted laborer for the success of bazaars and social functions. Mrs. O'Brien, in reply, thanked the donors for their graceful action, and said she would treasure the presentation, especially as a souvenir, of her Catholic friends in Palmerston North. Dr. O'Brien replied in a characteristically bright little speech, and confessed his regret that he was leaving behind so many congenial friends in Palmerston. He thanked all for their presentation to himself, and was specially moved by their kind remembrance of his wife. Dr. O'Brien leaves for Australia on Friday, and in his departure Palmerston is losing not only one of its prominent surgeons, but also a citizen who has ever been ready to do all in his power for the advancement of the town's interest. His departure will be keenly felt amongst all sports bodies in the district. For many of these he has officiated as judge, and his genial personality had endeared him to all with whom he came in contact. % ■