OBITUARY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 252, 6 August 1941, Page 4

OBITUARY.

MR PATRICK CASSIDY. A well-known and highly-popular figure in Rangiora for the last 20 years, Mr Patrick Cassidy, died in Christchurch yesterday morning after a short illness. He was sergeant in charge of the Rangiora police station for 14 years, until his retirement on superannuation in 1935. Mr Cassidy was born in Ireland 71 years ago and came to New Zealand when a boy. After working on farms in Central Otago for some years, he joined the Police Force in 1897, and was first stationed at Wellington. From thefe he was transferred to Stratford, and successively to Temuka, Oamaru, Kurow, and Rakaia. In 1913, while still at Rakaia, he was promoted to the rank of sergeant, and transferred to Wellington. After some time there he returned to the South Island, and was stationed at Christchurch and Sydenham, before being appointed to Rangiora in 1921. Mr Cassidy was predeceased by his. wife and daughter. MRS B. A. BREACH. A resident of Rakaia for 62 years, Mrs Bessie Anne Breach died at her home recently. ' Mrs Breach was born at Laceby, Lincolnshire, and arrived at Lyttelton in the ship Geraldine Paget in 1874, when she was 15 years of age. She went with her parents to Doyleston and lived there till her marriage. Some years later she and her husband moved to Rakaia, where she lived for 62 years. Of a kindly and generous disposi tion, she will be well remembered as a nurse and owner of the private hospital in Rakaia, and also a faithful member of the Anglican Church. She had a family of 11 children. Three of her sons served in the Great War. One, Captain S. F. Breach, was killed in France, and another, Private Edward Breach, on Gallipoli. The surviving members of the family are Mr H. J, Breach (Ashburton), Mr W. G. Breach (Methven), Mr R. Breach (Rakaia), Major W. A. Breach, C.M.D. (Wellington), Mrs F Peterson (Dunedin), Mrs C. Mcixegney (Rakaia), Mrs A. H. Barnett (Little River). There are 30 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren.

The funeral w r as conducted by the Rev. W. Wisdom in the church and by the Rev. A. H. Barnett at the graveside. .