PRESENTATION TO REV. FAT HER MURPHY, CAMBRIDGE.

New Zealand Tablet, 15 April 1915, Page 51

PRESENTATION TO REV. FATHER MURPHY, CAMBRIDGE.

His .Worship the Mayor (Mr M. Wells) presided at the farewell social to the Rev. Father W. J . Murphy at the Town 'Hall, Cambridge, on Tuesday.evening (says the Waikato Independent, of March 25). The attendance was representative, and fairly large in numbers, despite the inclement weather. On the stage were the Mayor, Very Rev. Dean Darby (Hamilton), Rev. Fathers Carran (Cambridge), Lynch (Te Awamutu), Duffy (Hamilton), Mr John Lundon, and the guest of the evening. Rev. Father Murphy. A number of musical items were rendered, the contributors being the .Cambridge Orchestra, Mrs Gelling, Messrs A. Turner, T. F. Richards, J. Lundon, and T. H. Boyce. % The Chairman apologised for the unavoidable absence of many friends from Matamata, Waharoa, and Cambridge. He had known Father Murphy for the past five or six years, and was virtually a neighbor of his. He regretted their guest’s departure, for he was a good social man and a Christian gentleman, and a pattern to all. On behalf of the parishioners and friends, he handed to Father Murphy a handsome purse and cheque, assuring the recipient that the good wishes of all the contributors accompanied the gift. Very Rev. Dean Darby said Father Murphy was deserving of all honor, for he had got through his manifold duties with credit to himself and to all with whom he came in contact. He’s a man, besides being a priest. No one ever found him do a mean action,’ averred the Dean, who agreed with the Mayor that their guest was the right type of man. Mr. J. Lundon, in welcoming Father Murphy’s successor in charge of the Cambridge parish, hoped Father Carran would prove as great a success as Father Murphy. The latter had taken a kindly interest in everything that was for the good of his congregation and the town and district generally. t Rev. Father Lynch said that from his knowledge of Father Carran he was a worthy successor to a really good man. He complimented Cambridge parish on its progress, for Dean Darby had agreed that it was equal to that of any in the diocese even Hamilton. Cambridge had always been fortunate in its priests, and Father Murphy was quite up to the standard, and had gained—and deserved the good wishes of all without distinction of denomination. Rev. Father Duffy also referred to the departing guest’s many good qualities. . Father Carran, who on rising was greeted with hearty applause, said he hoped Father Murphy would find in Ponsonby as good health and friends as he had found in Cambridge. Personally ho appreciated his preferment to Cambridge, but he was not driving Father Murphy away. The latter had accepted the Ponsonby parish before he sought the Cambridge charge. Rev. Father Murphy, who was obviously affected by the demonstrations of esteem from all parts of the hall, said he only wished all the good things said about -him were true. The previous speakers were too complimentary. lie had endeavored to put into daily practice the charity which he preached from the pulpit on Sundays. He had never sacrificed his principles, -and had always tried to be Christian towards all people. He could not speak too highly of the parishioners, and expressed his sincere thanks to them. As to Cambridge, he had never seen a more peaceful or happy town, and he would always endeavor to. revisit the place. The people were good, sociable, and all that could be desired. He would deeply miss many friends, and concluded by thanking all present for thus honoring him. After the Mayor had thanked the ladies for arranging the refreshment portion of the entertainment an ■adjournment was made to the supper room.