New Plymouth

New Zealand Tablet, 3 June 1915, Page 36

New Plymouth

(From an occasional correspondent.) For some time past the health of our parish priest, the Very Rev. Dean McKenna, has been far from satisfactory, and his medical advisers having ordered complete rest and change, he decided to pay a long-contem-plated visit to America and Ireland, leaving Wellington for San Francisco by the Moana on the 27th nit. On the eve of his departure from New Plymouth a large gathering of his parishioners assembled in the Holland Hall for the purpose of bidding him good-bye, the chair being occupied by Mr. A. Mcliardy. On -the platform, in addition to the Very Rev. Dean, were his assistants, Rev. fathers Moore and Brady, Rev. Father O'Beirne (Inglewcod), and the local committee. A very enjoyable musical programme was contributed by Mr. Ham (song), and the following ladies—Misses J. Bennett and Fouhy (pianoforte duet), Blewman (song), Mrs. Drury (song), Miss E. Bennett (song), the Misses Mannix (violin and pianoforte duet), and Miss Henderson" (pianoforte- solo), encores being readily given- by all. The accompaniments" were- played by Mrs. Hill Johnson and Miss Bennett. The chairman, in a short speech, referred to Dean McKenna's self-sacrificing labors in the parish for over a quarter of a century, and expressed the regret of the congregation that the conscientious discharge of his priestly duties at all times had resulted in the present breakdown of his health, necessitating the trip contemplated, especially at a time when travelling is attended with little pleasure and considerable risk. As a smoll token of the love and respect entertained for the Dean by his people of New Plymouth, Mr. Mcliardy

on' their Vbehalf presented 'him with a portable altar, pocket wallet with sovereigns, and sundry articles for his personal comfort. /In doing so he expressed 1 ; the _ earnest wishes of the parishioners for his personal " safety : and speedy restoration to good : health, and that he would enjoy his visit to Ireland and the renewing of old associations there. -./'-. , ;/. . ./ /- / Dean McKenna, in . reply, feelingly thanked the people for their useful gifts, especially for the portable ' altar, which would enable him to celebrate Holy Mass every day, wherever he-might be, and in doing so he would always remember his people of New Plymouth. He also referred to the -presentation of a beautiful rug which had been made to him that afternoon by the school children, and, in doing so, paid a warm tribute of appreciation to the Sisters of the Mission for their self-sacrificing work in the cause of education in the parish. - _ Other presentations were also made by the Rev. Father O'Beirne, on behalf of his parishioners of Inglewood, and on behalf of the JJean's curates —Fathers McManus (Palmerston North), Moore, Brady, and himself. He acknowledged the gratitude of all of them to the Dean for his fatherly advice and interest at all times. The Dean suitably replied, and thanked the curates for their co-operation. " * Refreshments, kindly provided by the ladies, were then handed round, and all present had an opportunity of wishing the Very Rev. Dean bou voyage and a safe return. . At the meeting of parishioners already reported, Very Rev. Dean McKenna referred to the conspicuous absence of one who was invariably present and willing to assist at such gatherings, paying a high tribute to the memory of Corporal Joseph Claffey, whose death from wounds received while serving with the N.Z. Expeditionary Force at the Dardanelles had been reported by cable. Corporal Claffey, who was an ardent Territorial, and in every respect an exemplary Catholic young man, was one of the first to volunteer from this district, and his early death in the service of his country is sincerelv regretted by a large circle of friends.— R.I.P.