A POPULAR OFFICER

New Zealand Tablet, 19 June 1919, Page 22

A POPULAR OFFICER

WELCOME HOME TO CAPTAIN P. A. ARDAGH, D. 5.0., M.C. T> n « W »l C r” 10 I 10 ’? to Captain P. A. Ardagh, • >-.0., M.C., who has recently returned from the Iront, was, on Wednesday evening, June 11, given by-iho St Marys branch of the Hibernian Society, Christchurch, ,n the Art Gallery. . Amongst- those picsonfe \rcro the Mayor (Dr. Thacker), Sir George and T , V C ( ,l^ “: 1 " ¥; r ' and Mrs - Ardagh, son., Lieutenant , ' J ‘ Ardagh, Dr. and Mrs. A. B. O’Brien, Dr. Moricanc Superintendent and Mrs. John Dwyer Very Rev. Ur. Kennedy, Adm., Very Rev. Dean ‘Regnault, Veiy Rev Dean Hyland (Rangiora), and Rev. Fathers Graham Murphy, Long, and Roche. His Lordship Bishop Brodie, who was unable to attend, sent’ an apology for his absence. “ Mr. J. H. Johnston, secretary of the St. Mary’s blanch of the Hibernian Society, in welcoming Captain idagh back, said that no words of his could express the great appreciation which they felt for him. Captain Ardagh had left his business to. go away and attend to the sick and wounded on the battlefields of France. The speaker also referred to the excellent work of Mrs. Ardagh in her capacity as nurse. On behalf oi the society he extended to them a hearty welcome home,. The Very Rev. Dean Regnault said that he had great pleasure in extending to Captain and Mrs. Ard.igh a welcome back to their city. Captain Ardagh had gone away‘without being compelled to do so, and had done nob-e work on the battlefields of France and Belgium. Although wounded three times, he did not give up his work of attending to the sick and wounded. They were all very proud of the great part played in the war by the members of the medical profession inNow Zealand. The Dean also mentioned Lieutenant Ardagh, who volunteered for service, and had been promoted from the ranks. He was also pleased to see there that night Mr. and Mrs. Ardagh, sen., whom ho had known over twenty years. > g , Ihc Mayor said that he was delighted to bo pre* sent on such an,occasion. He spoke feelingly as a hi other medico of Captain Ardagh. It was quite'true what Dean Regnault had said, that the medical 'profession did not receive the appreciation to which it was entitled. In speaking of the medical profession, he included the women members of the profession, whom he referred to as “angel sisters.” Captain and Sister Ardagh, as she was called in the hospitals; had don© noble and self-sacrificing work. Excellent work had been done by the Army chaplains. They ; had one amongst them that night. He would hot mention his name, because if he did he would bolt for home. When Fie.cl Marshal Haig said that. New Zealand ‘produced some of the finest soldiers in the world, he included the Army chaplains. • The speaker again extended a licai ty welcome to Captain A.rdagh and his wife, and. hoped they would remain in Christchurch.-' ! hasp Captain Ardagh, who was loudly applauded, thanked them on behalf of his wife and himself. Ho described some of his experiences in the fifing line,

sssAnren able - musical and elocutionary programme under the direction of Mr. A.. P. be La Cour,' was ;heartily appreciated by the large audience. Mrs. Frank O’Brien, -Misses E. McDavitt and M. Riordan, and Messrs. W. ; Brittenden, A. Macdonald? R. Lafferty, and Master Bert Upjohn contributed songs, and Mr' Allan Young recitations.* Misses A. Lawlor, K. O’Connor, and C. O’Brien played the accompaniments. An energetic committee of ladies handed round supper. Docherty’s Band supplied the music for the subsequent social, Mr. E. Daly being M.C. The singing of “Auld Lang Syne terminated the evening’s proceedings.