OBITUARY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11275, 19 January 1900, Page 3 (Supplement)

OBITUARY.

DEATH OF THE VERY REV. MONsiGNOR McDonald. Quite a shock ran through the community on Dec. 31, when the tidings got into circulation that the Very Rev. Monsignor McDonald had died somewhat suddenly at the Presbytery, Panmure. The sudden and unexpected death of . "Father Walter," as he was best known by everybody, was greatly regretted by all denominations and rill classes. He occupied a unique position in the community, and one which will not easily be filled again. There were few public gatherings at which the genial face and figure of Father Walter •was not present—an old-identity function, or volunteer parade and encampment (he was onp of the chaplains of the volunteer force)— and he regularly attended the metropolitan races, in order to render spiritual assistance to any that might unfortunately be injured. Only oil December 28—the second day of the Auckland Summer Meeting—when the jockey Katterns had his horse Splinter killed under him, and got injured himself, Father Walter was the first to dismount, in order to put his horse at Katterns' disposal, with which to tide in from the course to tho saddling paddock for medical assistance. Even the little children in the streets will miss the goni.nl priest, who always had a kindly word for them, a pat on the head, and his pockets filled with confections. To show how thoroughly and widely Father Walter was esteemed it may be mentioned that at the Anglican Church, Epsom on Dee. 31, the Rev. W. E. Oillam. vicar.' made kindlv reference to Father Walter's decease, and the congregation, all standing, passed α-rcsolution (if sympathy with Father Walter's people in their loss. At Howick, , Father Walter had been very happy in his relations with the resident Anglican clergyman, the Rev. Mr. Boler, and they were continually interchanging courtesies, and no one in Kowick will more regret the death of a comrade and friend than Mr. Boler.

Father Walter died as he wished to die, in harness, in the endeavour to fulfil his duty, and the last words he spoke on earth had reference to duty. The Very Rev. Monsignor McDonald died 5n his 70th year. He was born in the parish of Monncoin, County Kilkenny, Ireland, and was educated at All Hallows'" College. Dublin. He came out to Auckland in 1851 or 1855, one of his fellow-passengers being the Rev. Tlios. Xorrie, Presbyterian clergyman, of Drury. Father Walter was ordained a priest at St. Patrick's Cathedral, in March, 1856. His brother, the Very Rev. .las. McDonald, V.0., had arrived some years previously, and was vicnr-general of the diocese when he arrived, subsequently dying at Hokianjra, and being interred at Panmure. Father Walter's first- appointment was at Russell. Bay of Islands. Afterwards he was transferred to St. Patrick's Cathedral, Auckland, being appointed private secretary to Bishop Pompallier. He remained in Auckland for'many vears, during which period he twice visited Rome. During his connection with St. Patrick's Cathedral it was considerably enlarged, and the spire was built through his exertions. On Bishop Luck's return from his first- visit to Europe he brought Father Walter's appointment as Monsignor by His Holiness the Pope, in recognition of his services to the Church. The Bishop then transferred Father Walter to Panmure, greatly to the regret of the parishioners of St. Patrick, who petitioned against- it. During Father Walter's many years' residence at Panmure, and ministrations also at Howick, he made himself as popular with all classes and creeds as he had done in Auckland. Father Walter was a chaplain of the volunteer forces composing the Auckland Garrison, and no doubt the officer commanding the Auckland district (Colonel Banks) will see that fitting respect is paid by the men under his command to the memory of one of their late chaplains. THE FUNERAL.

On January 3 the remains of the late Mnnsiirnor McDonald were interred in the Roman Catholic Cemetery at Panmure. Tho funeral cortege was one of the largest whien !ias ever been seen in this city, unci the largest in the history of Panmure township. On every hand were manifest the tokens of the high respect and esteem in whinh U.p deceased priest was held by all creeds and elapses in the community. _ The body lay in state all the previous night in St. Patrick's Cathedral, and was watched throughout tiie night. The cathedral was draped in black. At eight a.m. on Jan. 3 a solemn requiem mass was celebrated. Among those present worn: His Worship the Mayor (Mr. Pa .id ttoldie), Councillors Kidd, Courtney, Jas. Stichbury, J. H. Hannan, and A. F. Gorrie (town clerk), Mr. Peter Ditjnnn lex-Mayor), the Hon. E. Mitchelson, Rabbi Goldstein, and the following Aneliran cler?\': —Canons C. 11. Nelson (St. Paul's), Calder (All Saints', Ponsonby. and the Rev. Georjre Mac Murray (of St. Mary's pro-Cathedral, Pamell).

The funeral was a military one, the deceased ( clergyman beinp, Roman Catholic chaplain to the Auckland volunteer forces. The procession contained about 120 carriages and about 50 other vehicles. The cortege was headed by a firing party of the. Navals, with reversed arms, under Lieutenant Davis, of the Dpvonport Navels, the whole parade bemsr under the command of Captain Parker, of the Devonport Navals. The Garricon Band, under B-ndmnster Hunter, played along the route ' The Dead March" (from ■" Saul"), " Departed Comrades," " Garlands of Flower?," "The, Final Halt," and other appropriate, air?. Following came His Lordship Bishop Lenihan's carriage, with Father Purtnn, Ijo having sent a cable message >liar ha lniel'.t be represented at tlie funeral. The eepond carriage contained the acolvtes and altar Wo, die third the Very Rev. Dr. Egan, Falh?r Mandolini (Hamilton), Father Kehoe, find Fatl'Cl RnckW: the fourth contained Fathers Pnul, f!ol<lon, Ahearn, and O'Hnra: and (lie fifth the Verv Rev. Dean O'Rielly. and Fnt'>er.? Kamp, Mal'oney (Thames), nnd Oil!an. T ! en cam? the hearse with six milrioarcrs walking in «in<rlp file, three on cither side. T!ir pall-lwerfl were: TiienfcriantColonel Banks Lieutenant-Colonel Surgeon Dnwson, Contain (!rrnt (District Adjutant), Ciphin Parker (Devcnport Torpedo Corps), Captain C. T. Major (College Rifles), and Captain Myers (Newton Rifles). Following the htfliw marched a? many of the volunteers nf a'l ranks, with side arms, us could jr°l away for the occasion, to the number of about '50. under Captain Abbott (Xo. ?, Victoria*), Contain Major (College Rifles), Lieutenant P.oswnrth ("A" Battery). lieutenant Dacre (Ponsonby Navalu), and Hon. Rnrgoon Lindsay (No. 3 Native?). Then followed a number of civilians on foot. Four cnrriaires were occupied bv Sisters of Mercy, and then followed the rorriaf»es—one with M<"W. G. Strong. ,1. Brndy, Kerr, and O'Halloran (representing Father Waller's Howirk parishioners), and another with Messrs. Gavin. Moloney, and Finnerty (representing the Panmnre parish). Next camo the carriages occupied bv Hi« Worship ho Mivor (Mr. D. Goldiel, Mr. P. Dignan (p.xMavnrl, and Councillors Stichhury, Kidd, and Couri'ipv: Mr. A, F. Oorric (town clprk), and Councillor .1. H. Hannan. The New Zealand district* nf the H.A.C.B. Society were represented by tlie executive: District president (Mr. J. IMtprsnnl. district vice-presi-dent (Brother D. O'Sullivnn), past district president (Brother P. J. Nerhenyl. secretary (Brother W.'Kane), treasurer (Brother M. J. Shpihnr.). In the enrteje wore: Rabbi Goldstein. Hon. .T. A. Tole (Crown Prosecutor), Mr. W. .1. Npnier, M.H.R. (chairman of Harhour R»ard), Mr. ¥~ Ford (secretary of New Zealand Natives' Association, with members): the' Newton Band, of which deceased ■wns patron was r»nrniente<l by Secretary Edmonds, Treasurer Hardip?. and DrumMajor Robinson, etc.: Dr. R. H. Bakcwell, Dr. Darby, Inspector Turner, Cantain .Tuckinn Barrv .A«mt. P. Darbv, A. Grant. Consin?. J. V. Franklin, H. Cashel, H. .Tervis, B.iker. W. Rp"an. J. T,cvdon, TT. McTihnne, farriitan D. 0. MncDonvell, W. .T. Ralph, I.indsr.v rv,!,-e, Frank Williams. E. Mahonv, Owen McGce. Corletl. G. Keven. J. R. Lundon. D, \. Tnle, .1 L. Tnle, W. To!p. Ditman Brothers (2). C. J. Wilson (Hamilton!. Gel!''-'- (Hamilion). H«"kotl. Duffy, Quinn, Gleesnn, Foley, FilwoT Penroeke. Ponsnnby Pencocke, Brndie, W. J. Ttnlnli, P. ' Ouinlan, W. Rolleston, Tohin. Pqmnbpll. Kndean.

The little cemetery was filial with spoclntor?. TV children pan? » hymn, and the party of Xnvuls fired the farewell volleys over I lie deported, which were given with splendid precision, and the earth closed over nil tbnt wns mortal of Father Walter McDonald. Mnnv persons at the burial service were affected to team.

Ono fenture of the funeral was the largo number of ladies who went out in carriages from Auckland to the interment at Panmvtre, to show their respect for the memory of tho deceased priest. A special cab had boen despatched ahead yf the funeral cortege filled with wreaths. Anion? those forwarded were wreaths from His Worship the Mayor (Mr. David Goldie), the Hon.' Thos. Thompson, Sacred Heart Society, the Children of Mary, the Guard of Honour, Sisters of Mercy, St. Benedict's Climcii, Colonel and Mrs. Dawson, Mr. and MrE. Thos. Morrin, Mr. and Mrs.'-E. W. Alison, Mr. and Mrs. L. D.

Nathan, Mr. P. Dignan ami family, and a number of other private iriends. The whole of the funeral arrangements were under tho supervision of Mr. Litlle, undertaker, of Hobson-street. The Very Rev. Dean O'Reilly received on Jan. 3 the following telegrams:—From the Premier (Hon. R. J. Jeddon): "I am exceedingly shocked and dei ply grieved to hear of the death of ,ny dear old friend, Father Walter, and feel his lom a!l the more because it was so sudden. I know his other friends will join with liu- in tendering our sincere sympathy in tho losa you have all sustained." From the editor of the Dunedin Tablet: " Accept sincere sympathy and regret at loss of a distinguished pioneer missionary."

Another of the pioneers of New Zealand, Mrs. John Mclb/ride, dii d recently at Russell Terrace, Newtown, Wellington. It was in 1854 that she came t» the colony, wiili her husband, in the ship Oliver Laing. They rettled in the HuU district, where she was veil and favourably kin.vn in connection « ith the Wainiii-o-mata Post Office. Her kind ad ions were numerous, ana her hospitality was freely given. A large circle of friends will mourn her death. Mrs. McIlvride, vho hud -attain id the age of 66 years, is survived by her husband, and also ifcavoa a family of five (four daughters and one son).

On Saturday afternoon. December 30, the mortal remains of Mis* Isabella Webster, of Cheltenham Beach, were laid in their last resting-place at the l).;vonport Presbyterian Cemetery. In Miss Webster's death the North Shoie has lost one of its most highly esteemed Msidents, and the Presbyterian Church one of its worthiest members. Some 15 years- ago Miss Webster arrived in Auckland, and 10 years later took up her residence at Devmiport. She took an active part in foundi.ig a Presbyterian Church, and has been oim of its sUu'inchest supporters ever since.

The Rev. A. P. Lingard. assistant curate at St. Mary's Church, did of inflammation of the brain after a feu days' illness, at Dunedin.

An old 11th Hussars men, Charles Raney, (lied in the Napier Hospital on the 10th, aged 62.

By the death of Mr. Chapman Ewen on Christmas morning, Cambridge mis lost one of its most prominent settlers. The late Mr. Ewen arrived in the colon* in 1858, and has resided in Cambridge, where he was greatly respected and esteemed since 1868.

Pnlmerston newspaper? record the death of Mrs. Jiin Lenunirgton, who arrived in Wellington in the ship Ludy Nugent in the year 1841.

Another old identity has passed away in the person of Mr. D. Munro, who died at his son's residence, Whangarei, on December 30, nt the ripe old ago of 80 vears. Deceased was a member of the 92nd Highlanders, and served as a Roval Artilleryman in the British Army. He also served in the Maori war.

A telegram received in Auckland on Jan. 5 contained tho announcement of the death of Mr. Thomas Brown, district manager at Wertport for the Westport Coal Company. The deceased gentleman was well known throughout New Zealand, having been in the service of the West port Coal Company for many years. Mr. died of heart disease.

Madame Fodor, who di;-d at Cliristcliiirch on January 3, at the age of 68 years, was the means by which the offer of an asylum in England was made to the exEmpress Eugenie. When the unfortunate lady, in her flight from Fninte in 1870, landed at Hastings, M. and Maddme Fodor were on a visit to Mr. Strode, the proprietor of Camden Place. At Mr. Strode's request, Madame Fodor waited on the forlorn sovereign, and i.ffered the house and estate as a place of residence. The offer was gladly accepted, and the ex-Empress occupied the place for many years. M. Fodor undertook the entirely honorary position of comptroller of her household, and fulfilled the friendly duty until he was killed by a carriage accident whilst driving net:" Carcden Park. Madame Fodor, who has of late years resided in Dunedin and Waikouaiti, leaves two sons and one daughter, the latter of whom is well known in artistic circles.

After a long and painfui illness, Mr. John Scott died at the comparatively early of 58, at his residence, Mangere, on the sth inst. He leaves a widow and four sons and four daughters, one of whom is married, to mourn their loss. Mr. Scott was a very old colonist, being one of the Duchess of Argyle's passengers in 1842, though only a baby at the time.

Another of the rapidly-decreasing number of tho Crimean veterans passed away at Panmure, in the person of John Yonnjf, who was a member of the Ist Royal Regiment, who fought for the honour of the Empire in tho trenches before Sebastnpol, and on the fields of Inkermann anil Alma. Mr. Young held tho medals and clasps of nil the battles of the Crimea, and in addition secured tho good conduct medal which was bestowed upon some of the soldiers after the war was over, by the Queen in person, at Aldershot. Mr. Young had made many friends bv tho uprichtness and integrity of his character, combined with n social and genial disposition. He. Waves behind him a widow, three sons, and four daughters to mourn his loss.

It will be seen from ni-r obituary column that Mrs. Courtney, wife of Mr. W. J. Courtney, member of the Auckland Citv Council, passed away on January 15, at the early age of 49, at her residence, Courtney Place, Ponsonliv. The deceased, who was the daughter of Mr. Joseph Priie, ot Kelvin station, Canterbury, was higlily esteemed in all the relations of life—as daughter, wife, and friend—and Lα , bereaved familv mourn their loss.

One of the old Albert landers passed away the other day, namely, Mr. Henry Marsh, farmer, of Wharehine. He was much respected. Deceased was h passenger by the Matilda Wnttenhnch.

One of South Canterbury's oldest identities has just passed away, at the ripe olci age of 95, in the person of Mrs. Patrick Hoare. The descendants i.umber 37 children and 28 Our Hamilton correspondent writes :—I have to record the death < I one of Waikato's earliest and most respected settlers. At about midnight on Jan 1. Mr. Joseph Prince passed away at tiie ripe age of 73. The deceased leaves three J.onus, two daughters, and 28 grandchildrt-n to mourn their loss.

Mr. William Mills, father of Mr. James Mills, managing director nf the Union Company, died on Jan. 11 in his 91st year. \h, was a retired officer of the Customs Department, and had been collector at both Auckland and Christehurch.

Mrs. Janet Wallace, widow of the late James Wallace, Mangere, died on January 11 fom an attack of influenza. Deceased bail attained the ripe age of 71 years, and during her long residence in Mimgere was much esteemed for her quiet Christian character.

Mr. John Steele Gnthri", manager of the Christehurch Press Company for the past six years, and formerly editor of the Press, died on Jan. 16. He had been ailins fer some years, but only lately his complaint took a serious turn. He bad been connected with the Press since 1863.