Obituary.

Cromwell Argus, Volume L, Issue 2644, 13 October 1919, Page 4

Obituary.

PATRICK CAHILL, Aged SO Years. Death has claimed another of the Dominions sturdy pioneers, and with it one of the district’s oldest and most highly esteemed residents, in tiie person cf Mr P. Cahill, who passed away peacefully at his residence, Cromwell, on Saturday afternoon, at the advanced age of 80 years. Porn in County Clare, Ireland, deceased, when quite a young man, set out from his native land, like many of that sturdy band, in quest of fortune in the far south. He arrived in Melbourne in 1859, and two years later (1801), made his way to the goldfields of the West Coast. From there he set out for Nascby, where he arrived in 1863. A gold rush at Pieton next attracted his attention. So many were keen on reaching this field that he failed to seeure a passage on the ill-fated boat “ City of Dunedin,” but lie travelled by the next boat. There ho only remained a short time, and in 1805 was back at the Shotover field. He took part later in the Hartley rush, and then returned to Queensland. He married in Victoria on October 16ch, 1809, and was thus at the time of his death within four days of celebrating his golden wedding. In 1873, (live years before the big Hood), lie returned to New Zealand, took up his residence in Cromwell, and remained in the town ever sin'ee. Until late in his advancing years deceased, like so many of our worthy pioneers, was closely attached to mining, and for some fifteen years was in the employment of the Cromwell Mining Company, at Bendigo, in the palmy days of that venture. Following that he lived more or less a retired life, but could not disassociate himself from a desire to be up and doing. Although the end was not altogether unexpected, it was hastened by a severe attack of the epidemic which swept the Dominion late last year, which deceased unfortunately contracted, and from which he never completely recovered. Throughout the town and district he was highly respected—a thorough gentleman, possessed of the noble characteristics of those who made the Dominion. He was a keen follower of" sport, anil with it a competent critic, but perhaps nothing in this line attracted his attention more than a keen and exciting game of Rugby, and in Ins advancing years he never found greater pleasure than .witnessing the “Blues” in strenuous contest. In his long and adventurous journey through life ho had done well, and his many friends throughout the Central will receive news of his death with , deep regret. He is survived by his wife, •, (an equally esteemed resident), and a family of one daughter and four sons, all highly respected members of the community—Mr Jno. Cahill (wool-instructor to the Covernment in the North Island), Mr Jas. Cahill (following various occupations in the same region), Mr T. Cahill (a city hotelkeeper), Mr D. A. Cahill (a well-known local business-man), and Miss M. Cahill (a leading young lady in all local organisations.) To these we take this opportunity of extending our sincere sympathy in their sad Ipss. The funeral takes place in the New Cemetery on Tuesday, leaving the Roman Catholic Church at 2.30 p.m.