DEATH OF MR JOHN SHEEHAN, M.H.R. (FROM THE AUCKLAND STAR JUNE 12 to 17) The Hinemoa. (BY TELEGRAPH-PRESS ASSOCIATION) Wellington June 13

Te Aroha News, Volume III, Issue 107, 20 June 1885, Page 3

DEATH OF MR JOHN SHEEHAN, M.H.R. (FROM THE AUCKLAND STAR JUNE 12 to 17)

The Hinemoa.

(BY TELEGRAPH-PRESS ASSOCIATION) Wellington June 13

With a feeling of profound regret we announce to our readers the fatal termination of the illness which prostrated Mr John Sheehan at Petane a few days ago, In our last issue) it was stated that his life had been despaired of, and while copies of the paper were still fresh from the press he breathed his last. He died at twenty minutes past four p.m. yesterday from inflammation of the brain. Thus closes prematurely at the age of 40 a life which opened with singular promise, and a public career which has been identified with the history of the colony for nearly twenty years. The deceased gentleman was the eldest son of the late Mr David Sheehan, one of the earliest settlers of Auckland, former proprietor of the Governor Browne Hotel in Hobson- street, and for many years a member of the Provincial Council. Mr Sheehan, senior, was known and respected throughout the province, and Mrs Sheehan was loved and honoured for her unostentatious benefactions and her great kindliness of heart. The subject of this notice inherited these amiable qualities, blended with the natural bonhommie and vivacity of hisrace,unsoured by any rancorous feeling towards those who differed from him. Born on the 5th of July, 1844, in Auckland, it was also here that he was reared and educated. For a considerable time he attended the school of Mr 11. J. O'Sullivan (now Chief Inspector of Schools under the Auckland Board of Education), and amongst his classmates were Mr E. Mitchelson (M.H.R. for Marsden), and Mr Cadman (M.H.R. for Coromandel). Mr Sheehan was an apt pupil, and on finishing his scholastic course in 1862 he entered upon the study of the law as articled clerk in the office of MrMerriman, then Crown Prosecutor. During the Waikato campaign of 1863 he served as Sergeant in the Auckland Cavalry, but despite this interruption to his studies, passed his legal examination and was admitted to practise at the Bar in 1867. In these early years Mr Sheehan was the most brilliant of a circle of young colonists whose essays and debates earned for the Catholic Institute a reputation which still clings to it. He was a ready, fluent, and forcible speaker, and having a natural predilection for political life he soon had the opportunity of proving his capacity to serve his country in the forum. He was elected to the Provincial Council towards the close of 1869, as a member for the Northern Division, and in December, 1870, he was leader of the party which defeated the responsible advisers of Mr T. B. Gillies, who was then Superintendent of the province. He accepted office as Goldfields Secretary, and addressed himself with characteristic|energy to the work of his department. In the succeeding years he manifested his independence of judgment, tolerance of belief, and breadth of view by his strong advocacy of anational, free, secular, and compulsory system of education, notwithstanding the fact that in doing so he had to encounter the very determined opposition of his Roman Catholic co-religionists. Neither clerical disfavour nor private influence ever caused him to recede one inch from the position which he then took up and maintained on this question both in Provincial Council and General Assembly. He retained office in the Provincial Government until 1875, and secured election to the House of Representatives as a representative of the Northern Division, being the first young New Zealander to enter the colonial Parliament. Mr Julius Vogel was then in the zenith of his power. When Sir George Grey emerged from his retirement and blazed forth upon the political firmament, Mr Sheehan became his principal satellite, although reflecting no mere borrowed lustre. His popularity was unbounded, and in the general elections of 1876 he was returned for Rodney over the heads of several rival candidates. As one of the foremost members of the young New Zealand party, he was largely instrumental in aiding Sir George Grey to defeat the Atkinson Miuistry in 1877. In the Grey Cabinet he accepted the portfolios of Native and Defence Affairs and Justice, and his subsequent success, with the co-operation of Sir George Grey, in allaying native troubles at Hikurangi, Waitara, and Wanganui, together with his firm and judicious control of departmental affairs, render his administration memorable. Although for some years previously Mr Sheehan had been residing and practising his profession at Napier, he was elected as Sir George Grey's colleague in the representation of the Thames during the general elections of 1879. At the opening of the new Parliament his party suffered defeat and resigned, ~ and throughout the ensuing sess ictthe ex-Native Minister was at his best, for it was in the heady strife of opposition that he figured to bis greatest advantage, his spontaneous and sparkling wit, ready badinage, brilliant but never caustic sarcasm, and forcible argumentation rendering him almost unrivalled as a party speaker. At the last general elections he contested the Napier seat against Mr Ormond (ex-Superintendent of Hawke's Bay),and was defeated. Since then he has been quietly practising his profession. When the Tauranga seat was vacated a few months ago, through the elevation of Captain Morris to tho legislative Council, Mr Sheehan offered himself as a candidate, and after a spirited contest defeated Mr W. Kelly by 12 votes. Ho came on to Auckland, and congratulations poured in upon him from every part of tho colony. On Thursday week he left for Wellington via Napier, and bad just reached the latter town when he was taken ill. It was not until a few days ago that any serious alarm was felt for him, but once the disease developed itself it hastened rapidly to the melan choly end. The deceased gentleman leaves a widow but no issue,and the surviving members of his family are"a brother (Mr W. P. Sheehan, of Hobson- street, and four sisters. One of these is married to Mr Richard Dignan, of H.M. Customs, and another to Mr J. B. Graham, of the Colonial Insurance Company. Mr Peter Dignan and Mr John King are the executors. It will be remembered that Mr and Mrs J. B. Graham and Miss Sheehan left yesterday afternoon for Napier by the Waihora, but they would not arrive in time to see their kinsman ere he died. We understand that the funeral will take place on Monday next,

As we anticipated yesterday, the Government steamer Hinemoa, bearing the body of the late Mr J. Sheehan, and having some of his mourning relatives as passengers, made the harbour about eight o'clock this morning. She steamed straight up to the Queen-street Wharf, and at 8.30 came alongside the central eastern tee, upon which a considerable number . of , people had already assembled, and where also the hearse and several cabs were drawn upi As the vessel ran into her berth the coffin woe perceired resting upon

the forehatoh. It was heavily mounted with burnished brass, and the lid was profusely covered with choice flowers, amid which a floral oross and garland were conspicuous. As soon as the steamer had been made fast the coffin was removed, under Captain Fairohild's directions, to the hearse, and the following ladies and gentlemen, who came up from Napier in the Hinemoa, entered the waiting carriages, which then formed into processional order behind the hearse, viz., Mrs Sheehan, Miss Sheehan, Mr and Mrs J. B. Graham, Hon. J. N. Wilson, Mr and Mrs Knight, Mr Sherrin, Mr Mcllhone, and Mr Garlick Seats were also provided in the carriages for a number of relatives who had awaited the arrival of the steamer, viz. : Miss Kate Sheehan, Mr W. P. Sheehan (deceased'>other), Mr Geo. Young (father-in-law), MrC. E. Dodd (uncle), Mr H. Dodd (cousin), Mr Jaokson Palmer (wife's relative), and MrJ. Reilly.

At the Cathedral. The cortege then set off for St. Patrick's Cathedral, a number of mourners following on foot. At the Cathedral door the coffin was received by the Very Rev. Father Walter Macdonald, assisted by Father Tuckwell, the Very Rev. Fathers O'Sullivan and Downey, O.S.B., and the Rev. Father Lenihan being also present. The coffin was I placed upon a catafalque surrounded by lighted wax tapers at the inner entrance of the chapel, and a portion of the prescribed ritual for the obi sequies was then gone through. Throughout the forenoon ladies and gentlemen were constantly dropping in to pray for the repose of the soul of the deceased, the coffin of course remaining all the time on the catafalque. It was laden with wreaths and crosses of flowers, amid which Mr Sheehan's favourite flower — the white bloom of the ti-tree — was conspicuous, A large floral cross specially prepared by the Misses Clara and Mary Tole attracted particular notice. It was artistically composed of white roses and camellias, daphnes, azalias, and ti-tree, while the verdure of ferns and cypress contrasted prettily withthepredominantwhite. Other crosses had been sent by Mrs Sheehan, Mrs J. B. Graham, and Miss Kate Sheehan.

Morning Masses. A mass for the repose of the soul of the deceased gentleman was said in the Cathedral at 6.30 this morning by Father Tuckwell, and another was said at 7 o'clock by Father Lenihan, while at 7-30 the Very Rev. Father Walter Macdonald celebrated the Requiem Mass which was announced on Sunday last. The members of the family and their intimate friends were present,

Messages of Condolence. During the day the executors, Messrs Peter Dignan and John King, were engaged in supervising the arrangements for the funeral, and to them came numerous messages of condolence for Mrs Sheehan, as well as official communications. Mr Fitzgibbon Louch, C.E. of the Public Works Department, presented the following telegram which he had received :— " You are appointed to represent the district of Tauranga at Mr Sheehan's funeral. This is your official authority. — Thomas Wrigley, Mayor of Tauranga." The following telegram also came to Mr King from Mr F. £. Whitaker, ex-M,H.R. for Waipa, former partner of the deceased : —"I am deeply eorry that I am not in Auckland to-day to follow the remains of our mutual and dear friend to the grave. Captain Blake will fully explain. I have wired my brother Henry to represent me, — F, A, Whitaker."

The Funeral This afternoon most of the business premises in the city had flags flying half-mast high, and after two o'clock there was a steady stream of persons in mourning costume towards the Cathedral, where a mortuary service, commencing with an opening prayer and the " Libera Me Domine," and ending with the " Pater Noster," was conducted by the Very Rev. Father Walter Macdonald, assisted by ether clergy. At three o'cli ik the funeral cortege moved off from the Cathedral headed by a carriage containing the sanctuary boys attired in their surplices and bearing with them the holy water thurible and incense boat and the aspersorium. Then came the carriages of the clergy, Father Walter being in the one immediately preceding the hearse, which was supplied by Dignan and Company. Behind the hearse there was a long line of carriages, and a still line of mourners on foot. The last obsequies at the grave were conducted by the Very Rev. Father Walter MacDonald. The report which appearodin our last issue of the funeral of the late Mr Sheehan was so full and complete that there is little need of amplification. One or two additional details may be stated. In recognition of Mr Sheehan's former position as Native and Defence Minister, the police, to the number of 30, were present under the command of Superintendent Thomson, and they presented a striking appearance, as at the head of the procession they marched in open order, Sergeant Gamble acting as colour-sergeant in heading the column. In the van of the foot mourners marched 43 members of the Ancient Order of Druids, under District President Alfred Kidd, the officers being conspicuous by their craped regalia. The Druids was the only friendly Society of which the deceased had been a member, and the local members attended by request. We append the names of the principal mourners :— Messrs William P. Sheehan, C. E. Dodd, Richard Dignan, J. B. Graham, George Young, D. Sheehan, J. Sheeban, H. and T. Dodd, Hon. J. N. Wilson, Messrs Jackson Palmer, William Shanaghan, Michael Shea, Richard Graham, Robert Graham, R. Carrick, John Reilty, Fitzgibbon Louch (Tauranga), A. Brodie (Thames County Council), P. Darby, W. J. Speight, R. A. Sherrin, Hugh Mclihone, Spragg, Dr. Lee, Captain Blake, Peter Dignan, H. Williamson (Crown Prosecutor), D. Dunningham, D. A. Tole (Crown Lands CommiB8ioner)i ! E. F. Tole, Majors Green and Jackson, Mr Moody, J.P., and family, J. Lundon, H. Hardington, J. Larkins, P. Brophy. Sir F. Whitaker was accommodated with a seat in one of the carriages assigned the clergy, Mr Justice Gillies attended in his private carriage, and among the mourners on foot we noticed MeBsrs J. C. Firth, P. Comiskey, John Buchanan, W. S. Wilson, and ;many other old colonists, and leading oitizens.

General regret is expressed here at the news of Mr Sheehan's death, which reached here this evening. Personally, he was one o! the most popular men in the House, and when the announcement of his election for Tauranga was received the other day, politicans of all shades of opinion expressed pleasure. Government have decided to offer the use of the Hinemoa for the conveyance of Mr Sheehan's remains to Auckland. A number of the Wellington friends of Mr Sheehan spoke to Sir George Grey about the maiter 'this morning, and Sir George Grey telei phoned to the Cabinet which was sitting at the time, asking that tht us« of the steamer

should be offered to the deceased stateman's relations. Ministers considered the matter promptly, and in five minutes •informed Sir George Grey that if the relatives desired it, it would be done. Sir George Grey has telegraphed to Mrs Sheehan asking to know her wishes on the matter, but a reply has not yet been received. The "Post," in a memoriam article on Mr Sheehan, says :— " To-day it is our sad duty to record the fact that in the prime of manhood he has been called upon to join the great majority ; his earthly record is closed. The brilliant prospects which it was hoped lay before him, have been closed by the hand of death, and New Zealand has lost one of the moBt intellectually gifted and large-hearted of her sons. Our great national poet has said 'Men's evil : manners live in brass, their virtues we write in water,' The reverse will, we think, be the case in regard to John Sheehan. Long after his few faults and foibles have passed into a kind oblivion, his innumerable good qualities will live in the affectionate remembrance of thousands of both races in these islands. In every relation of life he exercised a marvellous charm over all who were brought into contact with him. It was often and truly Baid that he was a man without enemies. Even those who differed most from his opinions, and most strongly oondemned many of his actions, still entertained a great personal 1 regard for the man himself. Honest, \ straightforward, and unselfish in all his dealings— whether in public or private life ; a staunch friend, but incapable of entertaining enmity, holding strong convictions upon ail public questions, and ever ready to give forcible expression to them ; generous to a degree, full of large sympathies, always ready to help friends, even to his own detriment or loss ; well informed upon all imaginable subjects, thoroughly acquainted with native character and language, and a charming conversationalist—Mr Sheehan might have been anything he liked ; but his admirable social qualities, while securing him friends on all sides, to a considerable degree prevented his taking up the position in public life he could have filled so well. In many ways his nature was moulded on lines which rendered Oliver Goldsmith and Richard Brinsley Sheridan so celebrated and so loved, but kept them poor and in difficulties all their lives. Many of the stories told of these two men would, if names were but changed, be accepted as bearing the impress of truth if told of Mr Sheehan."

Thames, June 13. The death of Mr Sheehan is the general topic of conversation here, and unfeigned regret is expressed by his numerous friends and those to whom his truly generous nature was known.

Wellington, June 17. la the House of Representatives on Tuesday, after the notices of questions, motions, and presentation of petitions, the Premier rese and moved the adjournment of the House. In moving the adjournment, he said that since the House met last one of its members, viz., Mr Sheehan,had died. He died on Tuesday afternoon, at Fetane, near Napier, and shortly after information of his death was received here Sir George Grey asked the Government if they would place the Hinemoa at the disposal of his friends to convey the body to Auckland. The Government at once acceded to the request, and the Hinemoa left on Saturday afternoon for that purpose. As some members were aware, the deceased was the first native of the colony of European descent who had obtained a seat in the House, and the first native of the colony of European descent who had obtained the position of Minister of the Crown, and he had also held many positions of importance in the province of Auckland, and in the House he had proved not only to be possessed of great natural ability and high education, but was a keen debater, a clear thinker, and his kindness of heart had been recognised by members of both sides of the House (hear). He (the Premier) felt sure that all members of the House felt the deepest sympathy with the deceased's young widow, and desired to convey to her their sympathies and condolence. All would regret that the young life of one possessed of such ability should have been so soon cut down. He need pay no more. Personally, he had been a colleague of deceased when a Minister of the Crown, and ne did not vary in his kindness and good-heartednese. Sir George Grey rose and seconded the motion, amidst a death-like silence. He said nothing could exceed the kindness and readiness with which the Government had acceded to the proposal that the Hinemoa should be placed at the disposal of Mr Sheehan's family for the purpose of conveying his body to Auckland . They had shown a deep sympathy on the occasion, and he felt grateful for the manner in which they had acted. In reference to the present motion, it was customary for the House to pay a tribute of respect to a departed member. At least, he believed it was almost an invariable and general rule; but on this occasion peculiar interest attached to Mr Sheehan's death. He was highly gifted by Providence, and was noted for his great kindness of heart, and besides rendering many great public services to the colony, was the first European born in the colony to take a seat in the House. On this latter ground peculiar irterest attached to him, and much was expected of him. For one session he was removed from the House, and 4 then earned a seat, and in many parts of the country he j was expected to take a large share in several important measures which were to come before the present Parliament, j Persons looked forward with renewed hope ' to his fulfilment of the early expectations formed of him, when he was unfortunately cut down at the very moment when his services were most likely to be useful. Under these circumstances, coupled with the fact that he was leaving a young and deeply attached wife behind him, the case was a peculiarly melancholy one, and he was sure that if the House acceded to the motion which had been made, the inhabitants of the province of Auckland would feel exceedingly grateful to them. He trusted, therefore, that the House, without division— in fact, without any dissent — would accede to the motion which the Premier had been good enough to take. The motion was then carried, and the House adjourned.

At Lyttelton, the Collector of Customs intends prosecuting shippers for neglecting to pass export entries within six days of the departure of steamers. John Christopher Cuff, a half-caste Australian native, was before the Police Court at Christchuroh yesterday charged with altering a forged note. As prisoner had been several months in hospital, and had lost an arm through injuries sustained when eluding the police, the prosecutor did not tender any evidence, and the Bench allowed the change to be withdrawn. Farihaka Maoris have but dim ideas of pakoha law. Lately a settler threatened to impound ahout a hundred Maori horses that were running on his land. "All right," said the dusky owner, "you give me pound takeaway, How much v One pound one