FUNERAL OF MR O’BRIEN

Press, Volume LXXXIIi, Issue 25302, 30 September 1947, Page 8

FUNERAL OF MR O’BRIEN

ORGANISATION BY DEPARTMENT From Our Own Reporter GREYMOUTH, September 29. Arr ngements for the State funeral of Mr J. O’Brien at Greymouth on Thursday are being made by the Internal Affairs Department, and Messrs. F. B. Stephens, Berendsen, and Taylor arrived this evening at Greymouth. The department will establish an office in Greymouth from which these officers will direct arrangements. It is understood that the coffin, after its arrival at Lyttelton on Wednesday morning’s steamer express, will be taken to Greymouth by special train. Solemn Requiem Mass will be celebrated in St. Patrick’s Church on Thursday morning. Reference to the death of Mr O’Brien, who was patron of the West Coast Rugby League, was made at Wingham Park on Sunday afternoon. At the interval in the main game, the teams. Runanga and Christchurch, assembled in front of the stands, and all present stood in silence as a mark of respect. Flowers from Christchurch residents should be sent to the Christchurch railway station by 5 p.m. on Tuesday.

CITY COUNCIL’S TRIBUTE

“Although he had definite politics, he always respected the opinion of others, and as Minister of he had a very difficult portfolio, and carried it out with credit,” said the Mayor (Mr E. H. Andrews) in a tribute to Mr J. O’Brien at last evening’s meeting of the Christchurch City Council.

Mr O’Brien had manfully combated his illness, and returned from hospital to his duties, said the Mayor, moving that the council express its sympathy to his widow and also to the Government in the loss of a very capable and genial Minister. He had known Mr O’Brien personally for many years, and his keenest recollection of him was his work in charge Ox rescue after the Napier earthquake. He had admired in a manner beyond expression Mr O’Brien’s energy and direction. He added that Mr O’Brien had always considered the affairs of other, and had no bias. Cr. J. E. Tait said all appreciated the service given by such men to public life. The motion of sympathy was carried. A motion of sympathy with the relatives of Mr J. O’Brien was carried by the Ashburton Borough Council at its meeting last evening. Members stood in silence as a mark of respect. The Mayor (Mr E. C. Bathurst) said the Government had been unfortunate in losing another of its stalwarts.

BRITISH GOVERNMENT’S CONDOLENCES

(P.A.) WELLINGTON, September 29' The following message was received by the Prime Minister (Mr Fraser) to-day from Lord Addison: “It is with deen regret that I learned of the death of Mr J. O’Brien. May I. on behalf of Hi= Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom, express my condolence with you and your colleagues, and I should be grateful if you would co ,vey to Mrs O’Brien the sympathy of Lady Addison and myself.”