OBITUARY

Greymouth Evening Star, 19 June 1922, Page 3

OBITUARY

HUGH CASSIDY. (Special to “Star”). CHRISTCHURCH, June 17. Hugh Cassidy, one of the best known coach proprietors in New Zealand, died at his residence Springfield this morning. He had for some years been in poor health, but was seriously ill for only a few days. He was born in Ireland and came to New Zealand when a young man to seek his fortune on the West Coast goldfields. He took part in the feverish life on a goldfield some fifty years ago, but soon turned his attention to the coaching business, which in those days was a most important means of travel and transit. He established the firm of Cassidy and Co, coach proprietors in 1873. The firm bought from Messrs Mitchell and Burton, the line of mail coaches between Hokitika and. Christchurch. It was seven years after tho coach road had been opened all the way. Previously, when Cobb and Co had the mail contract between the two centres, pa.rt of the journey was done by coaches, and part by pack horses. When the coach road was opened on March 8 1866, the first coach was driven through to tho West Coast by Air IL Knox and Mr Le Cole was first- owner o fthe through service. After conducting the service for three years, Mr Le Cole sold it to Mitchell and Burton. It has remained in the hands of Cassidy and Co ever since the firm acquired it in 1873. As the railway lines were pushed on at both ends the coach road was gradually shortened, one stopping place after another being dropped out. The last important stopping place left behind by the railway on this side is the Bealey. In Cassidy’s early days it was the place where passengers spent a night, arriving there from Christchurch at 7.30 p.m. and going on early next morning to Otira. The coach road ran for some 180 miles when Cassidy first drove a coach on it. The only part now left is the eleven miles through the famous Otira. Gorge from Arthur’s Pass to Otira township. That new road as far as ordinary traffic is concerned will practically fall into disuse when the passenger trains run through tho tunnel, though it will always be popular with tourists and casual visitors. Cassidy, -who was a careful and capable driver, put down the reins many years ago to attend to the management of the firm. He took into partnership Air A. Hall, an experienced driver who occassionally on important occasions took the driver’s seat through the gorge. During the past eighteen years, Mr Cassidy took part in farming operations in North Canterbury, making his home at Springfield. Until quite recently he drove in his trap to meet trains at the Springfield station when he met many of the friends lie made during his long coaching career. His only son, Mr J. A. Cassidy, a prominent member of the Christchurch Bar, died about two years ago. Mr Hugh Cassidy leaves a daughter, Airs Cahill, wife, of T. Cahill, Barbadoes Street. It is understood that Air Cassidy has left a number of bequests to Catholic Church organisations.