OBITUARY.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 9126, 10 June 1895, Page 2

OBITUARY.

BISHOP MORAN., Bishop Moran died at a quarter to six on the evening of Thursday, May 22nd, at Dunedin, after nearly two years' illness, endured with wonderful patience. He passed away very quietly, having received all the rites of the Church, and being assisted in his last momenta by his Grace Archbishop Redwood. He was aged seventytwo. Fathers Lynch, Newport, Murphy and Howard were present at the deathbed. At the evening devotions at St. Joseph's Cathedral, Archbishop Redwood, referring to Bishop Moran's death, said— •* It is but a short time since I assisted at the death bed of your beloved Bishop, and it will be a comfort for you iv your deep sorrow to know that it would be difficult to witness a more peaceful and happy death. I had just recited all the prayers and had given him the last absolution, when during the recitation of the rosary by myself and the attendant clergy he quietly slept in the Lord. We could hardly detect when his soul departed." After referring to the heroio patience with which the Bishop bore his long illness, the Archbishop said be might sum up the Bishop's career in a few words. He had terminated a most useful, active, apostolic, and saintly life by a peaceful and saintly death.

The Most Reverend Patrick Moran, D.D., first Bishop of Dunedin, Assistant at the Pontifical Throne, was born on May 24th, 1823, in County Wicklow, Ireland, his father being a tenant farmer. Dr. Moran was educated at home under a private tutor until he was twelve years of age, when he attended the school of the Vincentian Fathers in Dublin. Subsequently he proceeded to St. Peter's College, Wexford, and a few years later to the College of Castlenock. In 1840 he entered upon his course of preparation for the priesthood in Maynooth, where he remained until 1847, gaining high distinction in the liberal arts as well as in theology. He was ordained priest on the Saturday before Trinity Sunday, 1847, and was curate for a short time of the mining parish of Booteratown, near Dublin. Towards the end of 1849 Dr. Moran waa appointed parish prieat at Haddington road, Dublin, which office he held for nearly seven years. His first year there was memorable for the outbreak of cholera, and Dr. Moran was conspicuous for his unremitting devotion to the sick. During the ereater part of his pastorate he was also chaplain to the Hospital for Incurables in Dublin. In 1856 Dr. Moran was appointed Vicar Apostolic of the Eastern Province of the Cape Colony, and waa consecrated Bishop ot Dardania «"» partibus by Cardinal Cullen in Carlow Cathedral, being then ouly thirty-three years of age. According to custom he pioceeded to Rome immediately after his consecration, and was affectionately received by Pope Pius IX., who expressed surprise at his very youthful appearance. The new Bishop arrived at Grahauiatowu, Cape Colony, at the end of 1856, where he discharged the duties of Vicar-Apostolic for fourteen years. During his episcopate in the Cape Colony he had intimate relations with Sir George Grey, who was then Governor, and who accorded him every sympathy and support. The work of Dr. Moran at the Cape was of the moßt arduous nature, his people being scattered over an area of some 200 miles. From the paucity of clergy he also had very heavy parochial work, several districts being without a resident priest. Nevertheless, he taught in the schools at Grahamstown daily, when he was in residence there, and found time to contribute to the leading columns of newspapers. His remoral to Dunedin waa much regretted, and when, in 1882, he visited his old diocese, his arrival was made a gala day in Grahamstown. In November, 1869, the Diocese of Dunedin, comprising the whole of Otago and Southland, was constituted by a brief of Pope Pius IX., and Dr. Moran, who had previously declined the Bishopric of Auckland, was translated from Eastern Africa to be the first Bishop. His Lordship, howevery, did not take possession of his new See for some time. He had to wind up affairs at the Cape, and was summoned to Rome to attend the Ecumenical Council of the Vatican in June, 1870, when all the Aroh bishops and Bishops of the Catholic Churoh, numbering several hundreds, met. Dr. Moran then proceeded to Ireland, where he secured for his new diocese several active priests, among others the late Monsignor Coleman, and arranged with the authorities of Sion Hill Convent, Blackrock, for the tranference of a community of ten Dominican nuns for the work of education in Dunedin. These, with the Rev. Mother Gabriel as prioress, he brought out with him.

On October 9tb, 1870, Dr. Moran, with his party, embarked in the sailing ship Glenlown for Sydney, and reached Dunedin on February 18th, 1871. He at once gained the full confidence of the Catholic community, and laid the foundation of tbe esteem with which for so many years he-was regarded by the people. From the day that he landed at Port Chalmers Dr Moran was the unflinching advocate of Catholic edaccation. The fuudsathispersonaldisposal were devoted mainly to thia cause so dear to his heart. Since Bishop Moran arrived in Dunedin the work of the Cat ho lie Ch arch in that diocese has very largely increased. In 1871 there were a few scattered missions, with places of worship little better than sheds, and even in Dunedin the church was small and destitute of proper equipment. Last year there were fifteen parochial districts, over forty churches and many schools. St. Joseph's Cathedral is one of the handsomest edifices iv the city. The work of Dr. Moran in New Zealand was not confined to Otago. In 1872 he was appointed Administrator of the Diooeae of

Wellington, then including all the Middlo Island except Otago, on the death of Bishop Viard—-an office which he held until the arrival of Dr. Redwood in the following year. In 1876 Dr. Moran had for soma time on his hands the admin istratior* of the diocese of Auckland, where he effected many reforms. Apart from purely diocesan duties, the late Bishop founded the New Zealand Tablet, to the leading columns of which he was a contributor almost to the last, and in which the cause of Catholic education and the Irish national movement have been advocated with energy. The death of Dr. Moran is undoubtedly a severe blow to the Catholics of New Zealand.

At a meeting of ten senior priests oj c the diocese of Dunedin, at which Archbishop Redwood presided, it was decided to submit the following three names for the consideration of the Holy See, in the matter of the vacant Bishopric—The Rev. Wm. Burke (Queenstown) dignissimus, the Very Rev. P. O'Leary (Lawrence) dignior, the Rev. M. Walsh (Riverton) dignus. The Archbishop has confirmed the appointment of the Very Revs. Fathers Lynch (Dunedin) and Mackay (Oamaru) as joint administrators. Bishop Moran, by will, left everything (save a few trifling bequests) to his successor.

MR A. J. WHITE. By the death of tho late Mr A. J. White, which occurred at his residence, Opawa. near Christcburch, oa June 7th, Christchurch loses one of its best citizens and the Catholic community one of its staunchest and most liberal members. He was a native of Taunton, Somerset;, England, and came to the colony in tiie ship Zealandia in the year 1865. Two years later ho commenced business in High etreet, and later on removed to the well-known premises at tho corner of Tuam snd High streets, where he built up what is probably the largest furnishing business in the colony. Be came to New Zealand without capital, but by perseverance, business ability and probity made steady progress the read to success. He devoted tho whole of his time and energies to his business, and for that reason took little ur v. part in public affairs. Thu late Mr White was 0 staunch Catholic and waa noted for his deep piety and consistency in his attendance at the services in his church. He was of the most generous disposition, giving largely of hia means to the support ot his church ;nd the various organisations connected therewith, and was a strong supporter of religious instruction to children. He was extremely good to the po«r of all denominations, and his kind acts were dono in the moat unostentatious manner. Mr White had beeu in failing health for eighteen months, and tor the last three he was unable to attend t~> his business. He was atte- de>i for som. time before his death by the Rβv. Father Cummings, V.G. During hie illness he bore his sufferings, which were severe, with Christian fortitude. He leaves a wife, one son (Mr A. T. White), and seven daughters, 'no of whom is married and resides in England.

MR HYMAN MARKS. Mr Hyraan Marka, who has been for many years a resident of Christchurch, died on May 22nd at his residence, Hereford street east. The deceased gentleman, who was sixty-one years of age, though brusque in his manner, wa3 yeb a most charitable man in the truest sense of the word, inasmuch as he never paraded his charity. The charitable instinct that governed Mr Marks in life was consistently followed out by him.

The funeral of the late Mr Hyman Marks took place at tbe Linwood Cemetery on May at noon. Amongst those present were— His Worship the Mayor, Crs. Prudhoe and Stewart, Mr W. Moor (Chairman of the Christchurch Hospital Board), Dr. Ovenden, the Presidentand officers of the Christchurch Jewish congregation, Messrs A. Ferguson, C. Kiver, P. Kippenberger, J. Shand, and J. E. Hartle. The coffin wis borne to the grave by Messrs A. Ferguson, P. Kippenberger, Cecil Louisaon, P. Selig, B. Balliu, M. Sandstein, and A. Louisaon. The service was react by Mr A. Falk, who has conducted the services at the Synagogue since the departure of the Rev. A. Chodowski. Amongst the bequests of the deceased gentleman is £5000 for the establishment of a ward at the Hospital to be called the Hyman Marks ward; the sum of £5000 to' be invested, and the interest applied to the destitute patients' relief fund ; the sum of £2000 to be invested, and the interest .to be applied to tbe relief of the deserving poor residing in the Canterbury district; £500 to the Trustees of the Christchurch Jewish congregation; the sum of £3000 to create an annuity for his confidential clerk, Mr J. E. Hartle, and other small bequests. The surplus of the property, alter providing for the bequests referred to above, can be used in augmentation of them as the trustees think fit. The executors and trustees appointed under the will are Messrs Alex. Ferguson, Manager of the National Bank of New Zealand, and Mr Chas. Louisaon, J.P. The sums bequeathed to the Hospital will not be available at present/, as it will take some little time to realise the whole of tbe property.

MR J. THOMPSON. Mr John Thompson, who died at Lyttelton at the comparatively early age of aixty<wo on May 20th, had been intimately associated with the Port for a groat many years. He was born at Billquay, a small village near Newcastle-on-Tyue in 1833, and arrived in Australia in 1854. He also visited China, and was engaged during the Indian Mutiny shipping elephauts to Calcutta for the troops. After a short visit to England he sailed again for New Zealand in November, 1858. Landing in Wellington he remained there for some time, afterwards removing to the Napier die trint. About the year 1862 ho came to Canterbury, and accepted the position of foreman for Air E. G. Wright, with whom he remained for a great many years, during which he constructed bridges over the Huruaui, Ashley, Selwyn, Kaiapoi, Rakaia, Rangitata and Styx rivers. The old " sea wail" at Ly ttel ton and the patent slip, as well as a great deal of the reclamation works at the present railway station yard were carried out by him. Five years ago he was elected to a seat on the Borough Council, and was afterwards elected Mayor of Lyttelton, and filled the chair for the year ending December last. Hβ was a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity.

MR H. J. LECREN. Mr H. J. LeCren, oae of the pioneer merchants of Timaru, died there oa Monday, May 20th, aged 68. Hie deach caused deep regret amongst a very large circle of iriends. He was one of the first settlers of Canterbury. He had been in failing health for a week or two, but hie friends did not anticipate bis death so suddenly. The deceased gentleman came to the colony in the ship Barbara Gordon, ahead of the Pilgrims, to act as agent for the owners of the first Home ships. He joined Mr Longdon at Lytteiton, and carried on a general storekeeper's business there till about 1853. They cent the late Mr Cefton Coir to Timsru to open a store, and Mr Coir continued in charge till 1856, when Mr LeCren came there. Timaru bad been his colonial home ever since. About 1867 the business was sold to Messrs Miles and Co., Mr LeCren going to London and, joining Mr George Gray" Ruseell, established a colonial merchant's business, Messrs Bussell, Ritchie < and Co. being Ihe New Zealand agents. Some years later the business was disposed of to the National Mortgage and Agency Company. On his retirement Mr LeCren returned to Timaru, and, building Craighead, his family residence on the Waiiti road, one of the prettiest suburbs of Timaru, lived there till his death. The deceased was widely known as an upright, sterling business man, and was in early life fellow clerk with the late Chancellor of the Exchequer iv the office of Messrs Goschen and Co. He had been a valuable member of the local bodies, and served with great credit on the Timaru and Gladstone Board of Works and other local bodies. He was generous in private life, and greatly respected by a vast number of people in North and South Canterbury. He leaves three son 3 and four daughters. The eldest son is a partner in the firm of Guinnese and LeCren, Timaru. The second son is on the staff of the Bank of New Zealand at Dunedin, the third aon is at Home studying medicine. ' Three daughters are married—Mrs P. Ru&sell, Mrs Michie of Dunedin, Mrs E. Richardson, Jan., of Albury. Mr Frederic LeCren, Manager of the New Zealand Loan Company, is brother to the dwMAHd gentleman.

MRS HADFIELD. An old and respected resident of Sydenham Mrs Hadfield, mother of Mr J, Hadfield, a member of the Sydenham Borough Council, died on May 28th, and her funeral waa largely attended. The deceased lady waa a native ot Glossop, Derbyshire, England, and arrived in the colony with her huabaud and family thirty years ago. Mr Hadfield, senr., was in business in (Jashel street, and died twenty-three years ego. Tho business was sold, and the late Mrs Hadfield bought property in Durham street south, a then new suburb of Christchurch called Newtown, which afterwards became a portion of the Sydenham borough. Mrs Hadiield resided there until a year or so ago when the youngest member of her family married, and she then removed to the residence of her daughter, Mrs X Wright, with whom she lived until her death. The late Mrs Hadnel 1 was eeventy-two years of age, and leaves a grown up family of six children, all of whom are married. She was of a kindly and charitable disposition, and did many good acts in a quiet unostentatious way.

MR J. D. HEAN. Another of Canterbury's early settlera, John Davis Hean, recently passed away. The deceased left England in the ship Araminta in 1852, bound for Geelona;. He left the ship for Ballarit, with the captain's consent, although offered the sum of £100 to return Home. While at Ballarat he took an active part at the Eureka 6tockade. After nine years' gold digging in Australia he came to New Zealand, going to the first Dunstan gold rush in Otago, where he remained for four years. Hβ left there for Canterbury, waiting through to Christchurch, and thence over the ranees to the West Coast, the surveyor's track not having then bean made. Whilo on the Coast he occupied one of the first beach claims. Mr Hean went back to England in 1866, and, returning two years later, took up his residence at Kaiapoi. After living there for twenty yeare he came to Christchurch, and was employed at the Hospital. He waa taken ill Usx, October, and never recovered, dying at his residence, Addington, on Wednesday, May 290h. He leavea a wife and ten children, most of whom are in this city. Deceased was a staunch teetotaller, being a member of the Sons and Daughters of Temperance.

MR JOHN GUNN. Mr John Gunn, who died on May 28th, was one of our oldest settlers, lie left Caithness, Scotland, in August, 1862, and arrived in Canterbury in November of that year in the ship Chrysolite. Hβ was accompanied by his wife and a family of five sons and two daughters, having lefb the eldest son, who was an officer of the Excise, in England. He settled on the Hawkias in •1865, and was engaged in farming ever since. His wife died About nine years ago. All the family of six sons and two daughters are living. Four sons and the two daughters have been married, and there are now living forty-one grand-children and two great-grand-children. He enjoyed the best of health until a short time before his dealh, and his faculties remained unimpaired to the last. His age was eighty-six years, Mr Gunn took no very active part in local matters, but socially he was very highly respected for his sterling qualities as a citizen, and for his strictly honest and upright character. The funeral of Mr Gunn took place yesterday at the Kimberley cemetery, and was attended by a very large number of his friends. At the grave the coffin was covered with flowers and wreaths sent from all parts of the district. The Rev. Jas. Maxwell officiated.

MR T. CALCUTT. Mr Thomas Calcutt, an old -colonist, died at his residence, Union street, Dunediu, on May 26tb, in his sixtythird year. Mr Calcutt arrived in Dunedia by the ship Nourmahal about the begianiug of 1559. Hβ had been in business as a master prituor at Deddiuglou, Oxfordshire, and brought with him one of his apprentices, the late Mr James Hopcraffc, who afterwards became one of the original partners in the firm of Mills, Dick and Co., of Dunedin. Immediately on arrival Mr Calcutt accepted an engagement with the late Mr W.Lambert, proprietor of theOtajjo Colonist, and remained in the office of that paper for several years—for the greater part of the time a3 overseer of the composing department. From the first he displayed much natural shrewdness in matters of business, and made many profitable speculations in landed property. Under the Public Works policy he was appointed one of the valuere for the colony of land taken for public works. MR P. W. MAKTIN. WELLINGTON, May 30. Private telegrams received from VVestern Australia announce the death, at Fremantle, on Sunday last, of Mr F. W. Martin, Assistant Engineer of that colony. Mr Martin was well known on the West Coast, where he was Eugineer-in-Charge of Weatland after Mr C. Y. O'Connor. Mr Martin broke down from over work, and was granted three months' leave • f absence, during which he re-visited New Zealand at the beginning of the year, and, while in Wellington, he expressed himself a3 feeling much better for the change.