Cairns Post (Qld. : 1909 - 1954), Tuesday 3 February 1931, page 10


FATHER CLANCY

PRIESTHOOD AND

CITIZENSHIP.

TULLY'S TRIBUTE.

TULLY, Jan. 30.

the reception to the Rev. Father Clancy, which took place at the Tully Picture Theatre on Monday last, on the occasion pi his return from abroad. It was a wonderful function, repre-sentative, of, all denominations, and wai à fine manifestation., of the high esteem and regard in which Father "Clancy, is held throughout thc Tully ànrî Cardwell districts. . .

The-Chairman of the Cardwell Shire Council.(Cr. James.Thorn) presided, and/on his right-sat the-guest of the evening, and ihc Rev. Fathers- Larkin

and Cahill.

At rows of tables, containing plenti-ful refreshments with deckings bf natural flowers, sat the invited guests, of whom there were ever 400, and it was nb wonder that Father. Clancy remarked that he was overcome, be-wildered and astonished with the tri-butes-paid him.

.The arrangements were in the hands of-Mr, H.-E. Turner, and a very able committee, .the: chairman at the con-clusion eulogising Mr. Turner for the very?fine manner hr which the recep-tion had been conducted..

'."À",ladies' committee- had worked ex-cellently, too, and and they came in for their meed of praise.

A happy, feature of the gathering was the programme of' musical and vocal items contributed by Mr«. McEvov, Miss O'Driscoll, and Messrs. Alex^.Strang. P. W. Dingle and F; " Lacas* Jcack- artist -being accorded- a well-deserved Encore and an exprès - sion of thanks by the chairman foi

*he assistance rendered

Apbk^ies were, received front Arch-deacon/Bfown,~Messrs. H. Lawrence P. Mullins, J. Rooney, -E. MacKeown an^. A. AV.'Jones.

PAfteift the loyal toast had.been'sruit àtdy>, honored, the "chairman- proposed .the toast, nf-^Our Guest" ' *f j. -Mr. .-Thorn -said that it gave hhx great ^pleasure to be presiding at tifo function that evening. It ww Jusl anent. 12 months ago einte they hac Itarewelbnl-their guest on his departan across^-the. s¿aa, and Father Clancy had. since travelled many miles am had seen.-many patts of the worldl H/ hoped^nat they would all be able t( «eEi*sc«me . good sound' advice' ? fron SKÏF-guest. Father Clancy had beer íñ¿tfie district for .nearly 35 years ant had .done" a great deal towards the ad vancemcnt of the- Innisfail and othe

districts. ^They were all pleased ti see. him looking the picture of health (Hear, hear!)

He (the speaker) had attendee many meetings and had had inter viewed various Ministers where Fathe Clancy was present, and he was con fident that it was owing to his adria in many, instances that much of th - advancement and progress of the dis

trict was achieved. "I think if Fathe Clancy had been chairman of th Johnstone Shire Council many year ago that shire would have been in ; better position to-day as regards road .throughout the shire, and probabl the road wculd have been through ti Millaa" Millaa." (Applause.)

"I think yon will agree with m - when I say that Father Clancy is on

of the most popular figures in Nort Queensland; he certainly ns one of th most popular priests-^çn of thos sterling qualities that' North Queens land want to-day and who will go ot into the bush, as Father Clancy did i his p:oneer spirit, and achieve sue wonderful work." (Hear, Hear!).

The new Church at Innisfail is a instance'of his activities, and a mont ment for alb time to his' good nam whilst in Tully Town, in the erectio of such a fine church, they have muc

to thank him for."

"On behalf of the Cardwdl Shi Council." concluded Cr. Thorn, "ài the residents within the shire, I d sire to extend to Father Clancy tl warmest of, welcomes and cohgrat late him on his safe return to Nor Queensland, and I sincerely trust th he will long remain with us to can cn his good work.' (Hearty applause

The toast was drunk with music

honors.

Cr. M. Scanlan said that on this o casion there was a much larger cro\ present than when they all met farewell Father Clancy on the eve bis departure from, theitj midst soi 12 months ago. If anypne ever c served a holiday it was Father Clam and he was quite sure that everyo there that night was -satisfied tl Father Clancy had enjoyed his he day. "No one knew the scrubs

North Queensland better than Fatl Clancy, and I feel confident that li many or ns taken his rational adv we would have been a lot better to-day," said Cr. Scanlan.

After an amusing reference to i "Blarney Stone," Cr. Scanlan

marked that he would like all pres to join with him in wishing that

stay cf Father Clancy with th would be long:and - that it wöäfd b happy one. (Applause:)

Mr. J. .1. Cran said that it had bi his privilege to be there -12 nibil ago to say "Good-bye" to Fat Clancy, and he considered it wa still greater privilege to be present extend a welcome home to him.,T were all very pleased: to see Fal Clancy looking so well. Refer« had been made to the advice that been given by Father Clancy to ferent' ones, and he, personally,

known .of advice given by Fa Clancy and those receiving it profited by it

"We are ' very fortunate indeec having Father Clancy back again ? us so that we may avail ourselve his advice in these critical times," Mr. Cran, who added that he coi cretf it a privilege to meet Fa Clancy and chat matters over

him on different occasions. (Appia / "It gives me very great pleasui be here on such an occasion as t <-said Mr. W. Moran in a b

speech, which was . leavened wi few witticisms. "About 19 years a came to this country as a. "chuni just the same as Father Clan< now- a 'chummie' after his ri from his trip (laughter), and 'I' Ic to Father Clancy fer advice,, bei new arrival in the country. ' It very hard for me to understand' ters when Father Clancy spoke

my acquiring a farm for mvself ning in to £2000 cr £3000. £ w to know how this could be done, you do simple addition?' said guest. 'Well. ^res. I can,' I ri 'Well, then, all you have to do dition, and keep on doing ad' addition: the Government will s subtraction.'" (Loud laughter.)

Mr. Moran*, after referring 1 fact that thev hoped it would i long before Father Clancy cai Tully to lay .the foundation sto a school at Tully, and to his ac in regard to the Millaa Millaa the Palmerston area and Moi Harhor, instanced the possibili a jetty at Oyster Point. Ca adding that they hoped some see the Tully sugar fromg over J*pint, (Applause.)

/ '

t "I, think thft gathering is a wonder t ful demonstration K>f the goodwill

.Jiigh esteem and respect "rn wh:cti i Fa.her Clancy is held, t hot only by

the Catholic dénomination, but others : as well,; and I think the Catholic peo-

ple should be proud to^ee^such goodr will asJ is extended":?töhnfeht,'' '-sato ' Cr. Stephen Theodbrc-in ^ûppôrC ;.

Cr. Winter said it was pleasing tc seeisuchiff large gatherfafc^resW^rep: - tesehtativc of all dénominations, which'showed that.ather.tHaitcy was respected by all sections, irrespective of denbmtñátibn." The first time- hi =? had-'-met-Fainer-Clancy.was .as, fa«

back, as Ï899, and he saw no d;fferenee r in linn now except tnat^hc-had' go) Voider. He thought .Father Clancy.rwai j absolutely the pioneer 'cf -Innisfail.' He

hod not the slightest doubt that he '. bad done wonders for his church, par . ticufarly in the Tully-xiistnct..'-.

;"And the monument - to his >gooc 1 work, in Tullv.is just up there pit the I Hill," said Cr. Winter, as he glaiicec

in the direct:on. where the edifice ' stood. . -; . ' I Mr. J. P: O'Donohue remarked that j he supposed that- there was not an . other person who-knew Father Clancy ; as well as what he did. He had known j him since youth, and. his genial, man I ner had not-changed When. Fáthei

Clancy .first came to the. district: he had had very hard times. : "Innisfat claims Father Qancy, but Tully does too," said Mr. O'Donbghue, whe added" that it "must be-very pleasing for Father Clancy to-come do Tullj and find nb depression. .(Hear, hear!!

Mr. ' Mtcfcarl1 Mullmis' and Mri- Rv-N Lawson also spoke in support of the toast and joined in welcoming th<

guest.

THE RESPONSE.

Father Clancy, on rising to: respond was given A very warm reception. He said that when he was going away 12 months ago they had met to farewel him. That- wa* he thought,' a mag' nificent gathering. He fementberec some words-a kind of promise-bj Mr. Thorn^ whe was the chairman al that gathering, that if he returned th« reception would be evett greater that the send-off, "AU 1 can say is thai ::f he keeps his promise in regard te .'the work of the shire, then tie shoult be chairman for tfie fest of his life -because in this particular case he ha:

told the truth. This gathering is : surprise to me-really wonderful. A the send-off there was a select num

ber of Tully people, hut to-riight w< bave all Tully. .1 think that 1* tin correct expression, and I am aWt ti Feel infinite gratitude for you all coin ing here to-night rd Welcöme- im home. A numbef of people had sai( that I looked well; 1 always lookei well. (Laughter.). But I Can? asstif you that I really feel magnificent. : have had a good Voyage; no rougl seas and ht) tallows; As a matter O fact. I longed for ä ride over the bil lows. In my travels t have seed son* wonderful places-for their ' beaut} thei- scenery, their wealth of soi their mountain ranges and luxurian valleys and fivers, but f lay that

have not seen anything to ' equal' th beauty, the richness and grandeur cl North Queensland.'.*, (Lona: applause]

To-night, when I see this vast gath ering, representing ; every religiou shade, I feel proud to' think that ther is nothing that has prevented tha beautiful nárnieñy- and'feeling'}« com ing here to-night" (Applause; ?-.

"When I see this huge gathering feel that much bf the success oFît i due tó thoçe who have /taken my. plac durng my absence. (Loud applause. I have heard -<most encouraging re ports and proud expressions of til zeal cf the priests. - .,

"I was at Tully at the eariy stage of its development, but I passe through here before that I have dor my best to push anything forwat that I thought was of benefit to* tl Tully district and so long as I ai m Tully Twill continue to do so' an everything will be above board: it wi have the stamp of justice, fair ne: and equity,'and there will be no di tinctum, so far as I am concerne with any people in Tully. I hope th! I shall be with you for a considerab fame yet and trust that that unity, ar harmony between you and me w £°n*snuc so long as we remain Tully. (Loud applause.)

THE VISITORS. -

Mr. J. T. Vandeleur, in Droposu the toast of "The Visitors'' iii an at manner, referred to the spontaneous, c tort on the part of the parishioners ai low he particularly wished to welcot the visitors from so many centres. Ï would like to take the opportunity

:cngratulatíng Father Clancy on 1 prcmcton t0 such a high post in j Cooktown diocese It was, he believi lie greatest spiritual offer of the Chun

Mr. D. C. MacDiarmid, in respondii said that they very much apprécia! he honor of being present and the ( portuniry it afforded to join àll-inj» tending a hearty welcome to their vi esteemed and reverend friend,; Fat! Clancy. It was just -12 -'months sii they wished hint "God speed and a s -eturn." To-night they i^were 1 extei :ng'their hearty1 feh'ritatiohs on his s return. Fainer^ Clancy had not o iroved a devoted father-to his fie but had abo proved himself a'Idëvo father to the .best interests bf the < riet. Father Clancy's name was lousehold word ^ throughout Ne Queensland and. he-trusted it would main so- for 'many years to come; ' story was well known of rtfie childrer Irvinebank, how when they ^ knelt irayer they would include -the, we "God bless John Moffitt''^He* me "hrew ont the suggestion arid thoi the children of Tully might includt -heir prayers the words "God t Father Clancy.'-' "On ;behalf of

visitors I desire to say that we ? iradi appreciate the hospitality ant}, more the broadminded and Cuni diought that ¡prompted the invitât! aid Mr. MacDiarmid.

Mr. - W. -Pollock . expressed . âppr lion at being present to welcome Fi Clancy, and trusted, that he, would, be' spared iô 'oiry oír the good--i ie had done in the past

Mr. J. T. McNamee said thaine cerely thanked them as a visitor not representing Innisfail, - bub abor S Johnstone. As representative-óf í Johnstone they were deeply interest the Tully ' Sugar -milli ~wlnch"át present time the. fanners v were .cc ering whether they would; takè'-ov< not It was. not for them to. say. the. Tully farmers should do, hut if .did -decide on such a course, he 1

the two-mills would wtirk in tñt i cooperation. There were, probier .\iery~ great- magnitude-Which cone both mills, which were the two le I mills, and it would* be to their ac

age to work in close harmony,

commenting on mèreffects of the year scheme, Mr. McNamee-stress! greát possibilities?tíf power alcoho that; if the Commonwealth rGóver were tb:riiáke~ifccdrtpclsory:to':Use tfanhn'spirif-^in?Frâdce théyJ had riO ;'pcr cenbv ándíii ^Hungary 2 -.cent-it' would- inean. thc eStáblis oP3Í factories-sjmilar" to Sarina: mat wada- notóbnly be a benefit district, but also to the sugar ind sand Mr. McNamee.

The toast of the "Cardwell

Council" was itt the hands of Mi

Smith "(Bank: of New 'South Wales), \vho_ said that he could express-his ap-preciation of the .-work performed by Local "Authorities and the Cardwell Shire Councjkin particular. When they saw men who were actuated by a desire to/work-: for - the -district's ; gpçd and were; prepared to sacrifice .a good deal *Ôf ;;thar "time" they should,-, he thought, ."noT'fjuT to 'show their!'appreciation. "(Ap . "plause). : . . . 7 ? " /. ??,]' . ?-..?-,'

? ; ; Dr,1 M. L. Unwin, , in support, 'said, that prie" could opt speak too' highly of what the Cardwell 'Shire " had' dorie when one 'came to compare^the "Work of other shires ahd:.it' was only by "dm! ,of hard Work; foresight and diligence* "that this had.bsen "achieved. . Thé "alteration' of boundaries of me"'Cardwell Shire-íad meant that fi vej,bf the present' councillors "would- not' be returned " with the .new council; arid he " sincerely trusted' that they Wöuld Still take "an interest in thc .district's welfare" arid" that those who wert1 elected Would carry on in the same .high standard.. (Applause). .

in responding, the' Chairman of the Cardwell' Shire ' Council ' (Cr. ' James Thorn) said that he "would "be" seven years chairman bf the council on April .19. next. With the erection of the Tully sugar mill and other works he and the other coôncillors who were in' office could see the district was going to grow and they, as it were, put their heads together. They had reads bri the ' brain, arid their airii was to give every . settler a good road to his property with-

in' three years, and they would .have dorie- it but for lack of finaiice.' Al-ready they had plans for a road to Goo ^garra' Beach, álso . for the first section -of the road to Clump Point (viá Skar . don's), and. they were now fighting to' have the Parish of Hull included

îin'-thé. Cardwell Shire, and 'if they were ! successful, in-getting the territory they -would endeavor to have "a road put through without delay to El' Arish, over thtfWalter Hill range: They were after

that range road and the Tully water ; Scheme, which was so necessary for the Future progress of * the Tully town. (Hearty applause.)

Councillor George Brett said that he must thank Mr. Smith and Dr.. Unwin for the nice things they had said of the Cardwell. Shire Council, but he would first like to add his welcome to Father. Clancy who had grown in .popularity.

There- was' a . saying that "You never-, miss the water till the well runs dry.":

This could be said in regard to Father , Clancy.

TULLY AND DISTRICT.

"Tully and District" was proposed byl. Father Clancy, whasaid that- Archbishop; Dtihig, a man of vast and keen- obser-vation, had said in Cairns recently that if- North Queensland were property-de-' vetoped it cc^dd> assimilate ' the' unem-ployed of Australia"" and that-would-be solving an enormous" problem." -Ideally think if you have thc'goods you should, riot hide them under1 a bushel. After my travels and' observations 'I ihave-ho: hesitation in saying -that the-belt* of :

country from Cardwell to Cairns i¿ the; j finest in the World." (Appladsei) yi'vr? ;

"There is no -need-: to- -bVashanïéîFlb,

tell any one that; arid there should be- .: no limitation of words in it» praise,''

said Father Clancys He claimed that he ; was the oldest resident in Tully, haying i first' ridden to-the Banyan Greek"" in. .. :ompany with a line repairer some 30 -i years ago. During: the journey he was told that he would have .to .crow the;

Banyan Creek five times'¿nd that was' . i puzzle to him.. The pian accompany-; tog him introduced " him to "Billy Bowdnkc=-King of tile Banyan andjthtí:

Çully." (Laughter:) No#:yqu.hayeúán^ ; jther King bi the Tully. T refer to'Mr;' ' Tames Thorn. (Laughter.)

' And it is peaceful -resolution, or shall tve say peaceful penetration, that has. lone it I have many years in my mern-: »ry when I go back over the early days! 3f Tully-when I got riiy first experi-; mee. I have crossed the Banyan more j than five times since then-in fact I: think I have crossed it 500 times,*and I think every time I cross that stream it increases my admiration of the gran-, leur, beauty, and richness of the coun-try," said Father Clancy in a broken;

roice.

?"I do say this, that credit is due to ; the Cardwell Shire Council for the very;

progressive work they have undertaken^ n so short a period, and I always ad-mired the magnificent co-operation of: the Shire Council and the Sugar Bureau" in their efforts to improve the town: and district" (Applause).

Continuing, Father Clancy said that Dne thing struck him and that was the desire of thc young men to acquire .their: jwn land. They had the ambition to be-: ame owners, and this was not only in. .he Tully district but in other parts,

the Mulgrave for instance. They were, "digging in" and to his mind there was; nothing that was more likely to settle': the diriicuit* foreign question than this.!

"When replying to a pre\lous toast,"

he said, "I was so overcome, bewildered; | md astonished, that I omitted to thank: j die committee and others who have come: here to-night to do their part. ' I now? take -tile. opportunity of expressing my; gratitude.- I may say' that f. have been; isked during- my travels,,what kind of: a; place/ Australia was, the prevailing idea; bring . that this was a land of droughts, Î bad -.seasons*.cattle dying and such like.: They had no idea of the paradise of i yegetàticn in the Tully and Innisfail] districts, and the rich resources off North Queensland, which welled before] me whenever they spoke of Australia.? I hope I shall always have the same': opinion of Tully/and I can assure you tl lat so. .long as I have, that opinion that £ shall not be afraid to express it"| (Loud applause.) [

In support, Mr. H. Lund. said he' would like to take the opportunity of j

Welcoming Father Clancy. The ? parish-] : .oners of the Catholic Church were to! " be congratulated in having as their priest; ' one who was so far .famed for his spirit-] ual ministrations and help. (Applause)!

He thought the Tully * residents should] . icèl proud of all they had achieved. Itl was only a few years since the district? was opened1 up, yet in that period their; production had amounted to £500,000j and1 he would say that that was an' achievement of which they may well bef .proud;- and he would say further, that" poth the State arid the Federal Govern-; aients should recognise such an achieve^ merit': In a country so richly endowed the Tully - farmers were winning wealth from'the soil, through their great sugar, ndustry, and they were really carrying out- what their Government required, and ¡hat was the export "of a great commode ¡ty arid bringing back in return money' old commodities. Men, money and leadership were factors in a district's progress. It had to be recognised that Tully had been successful in establish): ing branches , of .two of Australia's best banks-which are recognised as two of Australia's greatest banks-to assist the primary-producer throughout Australia! (Applause.) . _ ?'

In Jeadership they_ had their" Govern^ ments, their churches andr their councils; The Government of the day had to be praised for the erection of the fine Tully sugar mill, despite the powerful opposif tion, The leadership of the Cardwell Shire Council was. recognised everywhere and it was not thought possible for the amount of work to have been achieved in such a short space of time, The act

CONGRATULATIONS.

of leadership was very potent in Tully, and Father Clancy, by his splendid ex-ample, had left his mantle for all time and the'inspiration given was very largely responsible for the progress of the district. For 15 years Father Clancy 'had. been advocating the opening' of the Palriierstoh area, and it only required a little Vision to realise what benefits Would accrue- from a good road to tap these lands and which, when constructed, was going tb; confer a rnaterial-benefit "an.thë-Tulhrdistrict. (Applauses) ''?

'HT: îjrfo ' Henry, ex-chairman -of - the Cardwell Shire. Council, also supported the toast, remarking jthat in their agita-tion for -the North . Coast-railway( line, the Tully sugar ¿iii}; 'and other- import-ant undertakings' Father . Qancy. would always give "his" assistance1 and; attenticm;

It was most difficult to "risualise the! dis-trict bf 40; years -agorvahd' the ' experi-ences his .family had' to. undergo in the "transport bf --that " product'^ He .felt that there was' a "great future for dairy-ing . in"the coastal;- belt.They certainly had 'it oh the Tableland climate, which Was counter-balanced by'a' mild .winter. His father had' made à living with an ordinary herd on natural.grasses.. Under nfo'derh"" nreth'ods,'' artificial' grasses" and selected herds, me^industry- offered gréai possibilities and J he - ' thought that" the Cardwell, Shire Council .and. Tully Chamber bf Commerce; should" use every "effort to hayèthe'rich1 lands made avail-

able for 'settlement! -

Other toasts were: 'The Ladies,";pro posed by Mr J J. Smith, and responded to by Mr. C. Freeney; "The Press," proposed by Sergeant J. L.. Tobin, and responded to by Mt. 'A. Maclean ;The Chairmari, proposed by' the Rev. Father Larkin,and responded tô'by Mr. James Thorn.

The function had ä very happy ending with the singing, of "Auld Lang Syne."