PRIEST'S TRAGIC BEAT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18708, 14 May 1924, Page 8

PRIEST'S TRAGIC BEAT

OVERWHELMED BY FIBE. PRESBYTERY DESTROYED. HOUSEKEEPER'S PERIL ——. ' • - /'■ ;'-5.:?vV NARROW ESCAPE FROM DEATH

[BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN' COIIQESPOr,-D £Nt -l INVERCARGILL, Tuesday.' A tragedy occurred at Riversdale earl? on Tuesday morning, when the Catholic Presbytery, of some 10 rooms, was de. stroyed by fire, the Rev. Father Daniel O'Neill perishing in the flames.

The blaze was first noticed about ' X a.m., by the housekeeper, Miss Lynch who had a narrow escape, rushing frogj the blazing building in her night attire. She was .partially overcome by smoko and flames, and just managed to struggle across the road to the resid. ence of Mrs. J. Smaill and give th« alarm.

A high wind was blowing at the time Some people were quickly on the scene* but the building was rapidly being re * duced to ashes and.no help could b e given. There was a light and a fire ia Father O'Neill's room when he retired for the night. ; Search was made of th» ruins this morning for his remains ' which'.' were subsequently discovered, £•:?.

Father O'Neill, apparently blinded and overcome by smoke, had made an effort to get clear of the blazing building, Q j his charred bones were found some distance from the bed.'

The origin of the outbreak is. a my*, f-ery. ;■ ' ";••• A Popular Priest.

Father O'Neill, who was about .4J years of age, was one of the best-known and most popular priests in Otago and Southland. Of a jovial disposition, ha had mad© friends among all classes of the community, and was highly respected by people of all denominations.

Born at Dunedin, a son of "the JaU Sergeant O'Neill, of the police force, the late Father O'Neill was for a number gj years stationed at South Dunedin, and later served at Roxburgh' and; Gore, taking. up the Riversdale charge some two yea'rs ago. He acted as curate at Gorq for a period of three years. • f; Mrs. O'Neill, deceased's mother,! and two brothers, Dr. Eugene Joseph O'Neill and Father Patrick O'Neill, reside at Dunedin. ( r The Burned Building, yThe building was one of the best-known landmarks in the Riversdals district. :It was originally erected as the residence of Mr. A. J. Pease, now of Manchester, England, who conducted business at Riv« ersdale in the early days. Great care was taken over it erection; the whole struo tore being of an elaborate' nature. The space between the outside walls and lining boards , was filled with sawdust for com. fort and to deaden sound. v

The insurances are £750 on the.house and £100 on the contents, both with the Victoria Insurance Company. ' ' Y