OBITUARY

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 194, 18 August 1941, Page 2

OBITUARY

BISHOP C. J. NICOLAS

LONG SERVICE IN ISLANDS

A Press Association cablegram announces the death at Suva of the Rt. Rev. Charles Joseph Nicolas, S.M., C.8.E., titular Bishop of Panopolis and Vicar Apostolic of Fiji. Bishop Nicolas always took a keen interest in New Zealand, where he was well known, and did everything in his power to welcome the New Zealand troops sent to Suva, opening the local Catholic Club freely to them. Born in Metz, Lorraine, in 1860, Bishop Nicolas later became a naturalised British subject and studied at Montigny. Metz and Dublin. He joined the Marist Society in 18S2 and was sent out to New Caledonia in ISSB. He became parish priest of Suva Pro-Cathedral, holding the position until 1910. when he was appointed Provincial of Oceania and visitor of Murist Missions. In 1918 he was elecietl titular Bishop of Panopolis and coadjutor of Bishop Vidal, and consecrated in Sydney in 1019 by the Apostolic delegate. Archbishop Cattaneo.

Bishop Nicolas offered the services of the missionary Sisters of Mary when the Fijian Government was establishing its leper colony at Makogai and they have remained in charge of the work there ever since. He celebrated the golden jubilee of his ordination to the priesthood nearly three years ago. and at the time two towers were constructed in the Sacred Heart Cathedral by the Roman Catholic; community of Suva as a jubilee gift to the bishop.

MR. T. A. GENTLES

EARLY MINING VENTURES Associated for a long period with pioneer mining in the Thames goldfields. Mr. Thomas Alexander Gentles has died in Auckland, aged 86. Mr. Gentles, who was a son of one of the time-expired soldiers of the Royal Artillery brought out to New Zealand by Sir George Grey in 1847, as a safeguard to Auckland against the Maoris, went to Thames as a young man and worked in a number of well known mines, both as a company employee and as a tributer.

Mr. Gentles was a one-time partner in a celebrated tribute in the old Reuben Parr mine, which gave rich returns and led up to the development of a famous £100.000 patch struck by the Moanataiari Companj' after it had acquired the Reuben Parr property. With the workingout of the Thames goldfield, he came to Auckland and set up in business as a provision merchant. He retired 2.i years ago and had since Jived with his daughter. Mrs. J. Cannon, of Marsdon Road, Mount Eden. Mr, Gentles was a life member of the Balmoral Bowling Club. He is survived by a son and three (laughters. Mrs. Gentles died seven years ago.

MISS JESSIE MUXRO

A well-known resident of the Clevedon district. Miss Jessie Munro has died suddenly. P"or 14 years she was secretary of the Clevedon Tennis Club, and she also wore Auckland representative hockey colours on several occasions. She was a member ot the Women's Division of the New Zealand Farmers' Union, holding a seat on the provincial council of the organisation and also being secretary of the housekeeping division of the Waitemata provincial council and a member of the patriotic committee. She was a member pf the Horticultural Society. When V?. 1 " brother left on active service Miss Munro took over his duties on the directorate of the firm of Hawthorn and Munro. For many vears she was district librarian. A staunch supporter of the Presbyterian Church, she was a member of the choir and superintendent of the Sunday School.

MR. T. H. PKOSSEK

At one time a well-known sea captain Mr. Thomas Harries Prosser has died at Remuera. aged S3. Born at Solva, Wales, Mr. Prosser was the son of a master mariner. He began his seafaring life under his father anr J la }ff- J° ined the Shaw, Savill IZ- A "> lon Company, becoming junior officer on the original R M S Aravva. with which he stayed until he became master in 1896. He also commanded the Pakeha. Waiwera and Aptea. Mr. Prosser left the sea to join the stevedoring firm of a£?»t £wf o nd Company at Auckland about 1908, and retired in 1918. He was a keen bowler and was a member of the Remuera Club for some years. He is survived by two daughters and one son. Another son was killed in France in 1916. There are four grandchildren

MR. JULIUS VOX HAAST

™*°tHs e f t iuP n ? f the late Sir Ju,i »s Mr ' J * ,,lus von Haa «t has died at A\ anganui. A connoisseur of art, Mr von Haast had travelled extensively, living for some time in Canada and also in India. He left he latter country on account of his health. He is survived by his wife