OBITUARY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19805, 28 November 1927, Page 10

OBITUARY.

MR, RICHARD PHELAN. The ffeath of Mr. Richard Phelan, aged 90, at, St. Joseph's Home, Ponsonby, last week, removed the last of the pioneers of A::arimu. Born in Kilkenny, Ireland, Mr. Phelan was attracted as a young man by the gold discoveries in Australia and in the South Island of New Zealand. Sixty years ago he purchased a large farm in the newly-opened Ararimu district, and there his interests were centred until recently, when failing health compelled him to seek medical attention in Auckland. A man of the true pioneering type, industrious and upright, Mr. Phelan won the respect and confidence of all with whom he came in contact. For many years he took a keen interest in educational matters, and was chairman of the school committee which fought and won what was known as "the battle of Kiely's site." Mr. Phe--1 ;in's wife died many years ago. His only son, Mr. John Phelan, resides at Papakura. MRS. M. J. KEITH. The death of Mrs. Margaret Jane Keith, one of the early settlers of Pukekohe, occurred at Mount Roskill on Saturday. Mrs. Keith, who was 75 years of age, arrived in Auckland with her parents in the ship Ganges in 1863. The family resided at Drury, and later at Pokeno. When the Maori War ended Mrs. Keith's father settled at Pukekohe. Mrs. Keith was. married twice, her first husband being Mr. James McMullen. About 30 years ago she was married to Mr. John Keith, who predeceased her. She is survived by the following children:—Messrs. George, William, James and John McMullen, Mrs. Catherine Carson, and Mr. Norman Keith. The funeral will take place at Mangere this afternoon. MR. P. G. MORGAN. [BY TELEGRAPH. — PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, Saturday Mr. P. G. Morgan, director of the Geological Survey Department, died suddenly to-day, aged 60 years. [Mr. Morgan was lecturer at the Thames School of Mines in 1896-7, and director of the Waihi School of Mines in 18971905. Ho was appointed geologist to the Survey Department in 1905 and became director in 1911. In Waihi and Thames he was a prominent cricketer and while a student he represented Ota go University in Rugby. He married Miss Mary Gilmour, of Waihi, and had a family of four daughters. Ho was the author of numerous papers and bulletins on geological subjects.]