FORMER HAWERA CONSTABLE

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 17 June 1935, Page 6

FORMER HAWERA CONSTABLE

LATE Mi;. MICHAEL EAHY FUNERAL AT WAITARA Following an illness which he had suffered for the past twelve months, the death occurred at Wnitara on Saturday morning of Mr Michael Fahy, at one time a member of the Police Force stationed at Hawera, and on his retirement licensee - of the Okaiawa Hotel.

Born in Galway, Air Fahy-. came to Now Zealand in 1913 after a varied and exciting career in the Royal Irish Constabulary'. On arrival he joined the police force, in Avhich he served Avith distinction for nearly- soa-cii years. His first service Avas seen in the 1913 strike, Avlien he AA-as on duty at Wellington as a plain elothesman. He later had an interesting period service in the UroAA'ora country at the time of the trouble Avith the Ataori prophet Run, being involved in the sensational incident in Avhich one police constable was shot dead and another AA'ounded. In 1910 Constable Fahy was married and recei\*ed transfer to Paliiatua and later to Hawera, Avliere, in 1920, he resigned from the force to take the license of the Okaiawa Hotel. During tAA'o y-ears’ residence in the township he AA-as extremely- popular and much regret was A-oiced at his decision to transfer to Waitara, where he had acquired an interest in the Alasonic Hotel. During tAvclve years’ residence at Waitara Air Fahy took .the keenest interest in rowing, football and bowling and made many- friends. He Avas also a staundh churchman and connected Avith manycharitable and ciA-ic movements.

E\-ery- interest in the town of Waitara Avas represented at the funeral yesterday afternoon, more than 590 people attending the service at the Catholic Church and the burial. Numerous floral tributes Avere received from public and sporting bodies in which Air Fahy had been interested. The service was conducted by- the Rev. Father Minogue, New Plymouth. The pallbearers at the church and cemetery were ATcssrs J. and AI. Cain, J. Johnston, J. Foreman, J. A. Tocher and O. Taylor, the last-named representing the Alaori race. The burial seiviee of the Ancient Order of Buffaloes Lodge, of Avhicli ATr Fahy Avas a prominent member, Avas read by Bro. E. D. Tait.