OBITUARY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22211, 14 March 1934, Page 7

OBITUARY

MR P. HENAGHAN Patrick Hcnaghnn, who died at his residence, “ Hinemoa,” Wakari, on Monday, was born at Black-sod Bay, County Mayo, on New Year’s Day, 1853. He was educated at a private school, and on leaving school he worked for a time with his father on their farm. At that time New Zealand was becoming known as a land in which a young man might advance his prospects'in life, and Mr Hcnaghan decided to leave his homeland for New Zealand. He arrived in Wellington in the ship Euterpe in 1874, and for a time resided there, seeking any kind of employment. He then left Wellington for the West Coast, where a mining boom had broken out. He did not, however, meet with a great deal of success in his search for gold, and after a time returned to Wellington. The Government at that time had erected a

number of lighthouses around the coast and required the services of lighthouse keepers. Mr Henaghan was engaged to go to the Poncarrow lighthouse as a keeper and after serving there for a period was transferred to the Brothers. While at this lighthouse Mr Henaghan —in 1874 —was married to Miss Sarah Ann Kershaw, of Wellington. Mr Henaghan shortly after was transferred to Puysegur Point, and resided there with his wife for some years. A transfer to Cape Saunders followed, and Dog Island was the next place of residence for Mr Henaghan. It was while at Dog Island that Mr Henaghan and two other keepers went out in a small boat and brought ashore the crew of a ketch which had got into difficulties, Mrs Henaghan and her two children being left in charge of the lighthouse, and experiencing a very anxious time till the rescue party returned. From there Mr Henaghan Went to Moeraki, and after .spending five years t at this station he went to Stephens Island, in Cook Strait, being the first head keeper to be appointed to this new station. It was here that Mr Henaghan discovered the tuatara lizard, and got into communication with Dr Denby, of Canterbury College, and as the result of information supplied by Mr Henaghan Dr Denby was the first to write the life history of this interesting reptile, although a book on the subject waa later written by two German professors, whom Mr Henaghan also assisted with much valuable information. After spending five years at Stephens Island Mr Henaghan went to Waipapa Point, the scene of the wreck of the Tararua. Mr Henaghan while at Waipapa, as a labour of ■ love, repaired and looked after The graves of the passengers who were drowned in that wreck. Taiaroa Head was the next station to which Mr Henaghan was transferred, aijd during his term here the fog signal at the heads was erected. Three years were served at Taiaroa Head, and the next transfer was to Godley Head, in Lyttelton Harbour. Some hard work was required at this station as it had been allowed to get into disrepair, y Then came Mr Henaghan’s last station—-at the Nuggets—and after a period there he was retired on superannuation. He then went to live at Wakari, and had resided there ever since. He was keenly interested in horticulture and agriculture, and his place at Wakari was always kept in beautiful order. He was very fond of reading, books of travel making a special appeal to him. Mr Henaghan was a member of the now defunct Wakari Bowling Club, and was also a member of the Kaikorai Bowling Club.

As can be understood great difficulty was experienced in educating the children, but Mr Henaghan and other keepers with families overcame this difficulty by subscribing a certain amount of money. This money was subsidised by the various education boards _ and female teachers appointed to the lighthouses.

Mr Henaghan is survived by his wife, one son, and three daughters —Mr W. T. Henaghan, of Musselburgh, and Misses Ellen, Florence, and Emily Henaghan, of Wakari.

\ MRS A. SUTHERLAND The death occurred at Invercargill last week of Mrs Alexander Sutherland, aged 75 years. Mrs Sutherland was a daughter of Mr Daniel Mills, of Wiltshire, England, and came out to New Zealand in the British Queen, landing at Port Chalmers in 1882. After working at Oamaru, Dunedin, and in Central Otago, she went to Merrivale, Southland, in 1885, and married Mr Sutherland in 1888. After the marriage Mr Sutherland was employed as shepherd at Merrivale Station, but in 1894 he started a general store at Orawia, and there Mrs Sutherland was well and favourably known. In 1908 they removed to Invercargill, and with the exception of a trip to England the following year they had resided there ever since. Mrs Sutherland was predeceased by two sons and one daughter, both sons dying as the result of injuries received during the war. She is survived by her husband and two sons.

MR W. G. A. BOERS (Per United Press Association.) BLENHEIM. March 13. The death occurred this morning of Mr Wvnand Gerard Andre Boers, aged !)9 years, recognised as the oldest Freemason in tiie world. Born at Rotterdam on March 17, 1835, he followed the sea. until taken prisoner during the Crimean War, his ship being wrecked in the Black Sea. On release he returned to Holland, and sailed for Melbourne on an immigrant ship in 1857. He deserted at Melbourne, and married, sailing for Dunedin a few weeks later. On tiie ar.rival of Dr James Hector, who was engaged by the Provincial Government to explore Otago, he accompanied the doctor on his expedition, remaining with him for four years. On the abolition of Provincial Government he was engaged as head linesman by the Post and Telegraph Department, being in charge of the construction of the first line between Port Chalmers and Dunedin. Later he was appointed to a position in the cable station at White’s Bay. He was then postmaster at Havelock, holding the position until 1870; when he was transferred to.Rccfton, remaining there eight years. Returning to Havelock, he "did a lot of relieving work

at various post offices on the West Coast until 1902, when he retired with a pension.

Mr Boers was a charter member ; of Lodge Havelock, No. 104, whick opened on March 11, 1890, and he occupied the master’s chair in 18991900. Some time ago inquiries were issued from New Jersey to the various Masonic jurisdictions, seeking for a list of brethren whose Masonic affiliations covered a period of 70 years or over, and as the result the grand secretary received advice to the effect that Mr Boers was the oldest living Freemason in the world. He was initiated in the Courier de Pax Lodge in Antwerp ia 1855 or 1856. SIR THOMAS RYAN (United Press Association.) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) CALCUTTA, March 12. The death occurred suddenly of heart failure of Sir Thomas Ryan, following a brilliant speech in the Legislative Assembly defending the Post Office against Budget attacks.

Sir Thomas Ryan, had been Directorgeneral of Posts and Telegraphs in India since 1931. He joined the Indian civil service in 1898, and had held various important posts. He was 65 years of age-