DEATH OF MR. E. McDONNELL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11746, 30 August 1901, Page 5

DEATH OF MR. E. McDONNELL.

[[-ROM OUR OWN" CORRESrOXDENT.]

Thames, /Thursday. Quite a gloom was cast over this community to-day Dy the announcement of the death of Mr. Edward McDonnell, of the firm of M. Browne and Co., which took place at six o'clock this morning at his late residence, Queen-street. Deceased was stricken down with apoplexy oh tho morning of the 22nd iust., and, although everything was done that medical skill could provide, there was from the first little hope of his. recovery. Mr. McDonnell, who was 64 years of age, was one of the oldest and most widely known identities of the Thames goldfield. He was A native of Clifton, in Galway County, Ireland. He arrived in this colony in the early sixties, landing first in Otago, Where he was engaged in gold mining. He arrived at Thames from the West Coast in 1857, in company with Messrs. P. Brophj, J. McNamara, and J. Graham, and was oiib of the original prospectors' of the old Otago claim, now a portion of the Kuranui-Cale-doiiiah mine, besides* being largely interested in several other claims. Mr. McDonnell subsequently acquired possession of the old Hokianga battery, inthe Karaka Creek district, and, in company with the late Mr. H. McCade, took it over to Queensland, and erected it there as a public battery, but the investment was not altogether r success. After this he returned to Thames; and, with the exception of a few months' stay in Napier, and a trip in company with his wife through America and the Old Country in 1894; he remained here up to the time of his death. In 1874 deceased entered into partnership with Mr. M. Browne as grain and produce merchants, and managed that business up to the time of his last illness. Although of a somewhat retiring disposition, he took a prominent part in public affairs, and at the time of his death he was, and had been for many years, a member of the Thames Harbour* Board, and was also president of the Thames School of Mines Council, a member of the Thames Licensing Committee, chairman of the Thames Jockey Club Committee, and a justice of the peace. Mr. McDonnell always took great interest in furthering the mining and other industries which affected the welfare of the district. He was of,a most genial and sympathetic character, and was held in the highest esteem by all classes of the community. Deceased was married, but leaves no family. Great sympathy is felt for Mrs. McDonnell in her sad bereavement. Flags were at half-mast throughout the town to-day out of respect to the memory of deceased. The funeral will take place on Saturday afternoon.