ADDRESS AND TESTIMONIAL TO REV. P O'CONNOR C.C., ON THE OCCASION OF HIS REMOVAL FROM NEWPORT TO BALLA AND BELCARRA

ON Thursday, 14th instant, a respectable deputation waited on Father O'Connor, at his residence . Belcarrra, to present him with a beautifully illuminated Address and Testimonial, the liberal gift of the inhabitants of all classes and creeds resident in Newport and Ballycroy districts. Needless to say, Father O'Connor received his late parishioners in a manner worthy of himself and befitting the occasion. Mr. Dodwell Browne, in a most complimentary and becoming manner, addressed Father O'Connor, and said he had not words to give expression to the pleasure he felt in being deputed by his Newport friends to present him with a beautifully illuminated Address, the gift of a few of his many friends as a token of their warm affection and attachment towards him—an attachment that time nor distance would efface. Mr. Thomas O'Boyle, their very efficient Secretary, then read the following
ADDRESS:
REV. DEAR SIR,—It is a pleasing duty that has fallen to us to present you on behalf of many friends a testimonial of their attachment and respect, in which, be assured, we heartily join. Your comparatively brief residence amongst us has deeply impressed us with those feelings towards you, which are but feebly expressed. In the pious fulfilment of the sacred duties of the office of the priesthood, you commanded our reverence and respect, and as a citizen, your kindness and conciliatory feelings, constantly manifested, gained our unqualified esteem. The high and holy interests of Religion, require that separations, such as ours, should sometimes occur, but, be assured, your presence amongst us shall be always remembered with affection and friendship; the past relations that have subsisted, cannot be severed by change, and, in the constancy of our mutual feelings, we are well assured of your large and benevolent share. In presenting this address to you, dear Father O'Connor, we are gratified in being also privileged to accompany it with a gift which we hand to you with all the good wishes that it is possible for us to convey on the part of your Newport friends.
(Signed on behalf of the Subscribers),
G. C. O'DONEL . D.L., J.P., President
PATRICK McMANAMON, Treasurer.
THOMAS O'BOYLE, Hon. Secretary.
Dated at Newport this 4th day of February, 1878.
Mr. Patrick MacManmon then came forward and presented Father O'Connor with a very handsome Morocco leather purse containing 100 guineas.
The following is Father O'Connor's
REPLY:
MY DEAR FRIENDS,—Your beautifully illuminated address, so handsomely, and in such complimentary terms, framed, must necessarily call forth from me a reply and manifestation of feeling towards you. Be assured, I highly value this address as the exponent of your respect and attachment; and is one other proof of what you so clearly and so often manifested during my missionary career, not over long amongst you. I, with a sense of the deepest obligation, have always experienced at your hands the greatest kindness and anxiety to befriend me; with a disposition to overlook my short comings. Believe me, I shall never forget the day's spent amongst you.
Arduous though the duties of the mission at Newport were these was a circumstance which helped to lighten every burden, to cheer on the priest in his efforts for the people. It was the hearty good will with which all closers co-operated to better the condition of the poor, struggling classes; and which must necessarily have afforded to a person interested in their welfare a degree of pleasure. My dear friends in this respect it would be difficult to find words to express the satisfaction I experienced (whilst amongst you), you never saw anyone in trouble without manifesting your sympathy—your assistance and co-operation were ever cheerfully lent to the weak and distressed, you were always in front whenever the priest required your and encouraging him to go forward to do battle in the cause of the people and of religion. While some differed in belief, all of you were united and of our mind whenever the public good required your services.
Proud I am to state it—we possessed no ordinary influence (in Newport) so that it only required a will on our part to accomplish great things. Your chieftain is all powerful when was he appealed to. in vain where there was question of doing a service to country or religion ? He possesses power to do many a kind act and truly there is no lack of inclination on his part, neither was there the slightest on yours—and here it is gentlemen that your address while it is extremely flattering to me, as far as my missionary duties and dealings with the people are concerned, makes me feel that whilst on my part there were many deficiencies which you kindly overlooked; whatever little good was effected by me, was due specially to your co-operation. My friends I have said enough of the relations that existed whilst I had the happiness of being associated with you, and I do confess that during my life I shall never cease to remember you and take a deep interest in your welfare.
Together with your beautiful address I find you are good enough to present me with a purse of sovereigns which, gentlemen. I assure you, I do not value so much on account of its intrinsic worth as the kindly feelings of the donors of which it is so characteristic and which I shall cherish to my last breath. After the deputation and other friends had partaken of a sumptuous dinner prepared for the occasion, Father O'Connor proposed the healths of Sir George and Lady O'Donel.
Mr Michael Crampton said he had the honour of meeting Sir George O'Donel, their worthy President (cheers). It was his (Sir George's) desire that he (Mr. Crampton) would convey to his Reverence the regret Sir George felt at being unable to attend owing to his engagements as Grand Juror.
Father O'Connor expressed his best thanks to Sir George and his noble Lady, adding that from the many charitable and noble acts of theirs, which he had the pleasure of witnessing while a resident in Newport, there was no apology needed on his behalf.
There were loud and prolonged cheers for Sir George and Lady O'Donel.
The other gentlemen who composed the deputation were Messrs. James Cleary, James Curran, Patrick Joyce, Hugh Dever, and Thomas O'Boyle.
The Address is beautiful—beyond description. The engrossing is done in half text; the name in Gothic style, and tastefully illuminated ; the border contains many beautiful vignette and floral designs, and the whole is preserved in a splendidly-gilt and glazed frame.