OBITUARY.
VERY REV. DEAN McKENNA. LONG SERVICE IN TARANAKI. The death occurred at the Presbytery, New Plymouth, yesterday afternoon, of the Very Rev. James Dean McKenna, who had been in poor health for some time. The late dean, who was G 5 years of age, was bom in County Monaghan, in the North of Ireland, in 1857. He received his early education at St. Macarten’s Seminary, Monaghan, and was for several years a teacher under the national board. In 1881 he entered All Hallows’ College, Drumcondra, Dublin, where he read a distinguished philosophical and theological course. In 1886 he was ordained priest, coming almost immediately afterwards to New Zealand. He was appointed assistant priest at Hawera, where he resided for three years.
His next appointment was as parish priest at New Plymouth, where he had conducted his labors for the past 33 years. He succeeded Father Cassidy, and in 1899 was appointed the first dean of New Plymouth. The last member of the dean’s family—his brother—died about a year ago. He was a near relative of Bishop McKenna, of County Monaghan, and was himself a member of the bishop’s council. Solemn Requiem Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday at 10.30 a.m., after which the funeral will leave for- the Te Henui cemetery. It is expected that priests from all over New Zealand will be present. Since the dean came to Taranaki, the Roman Catholic churches at New Plymouth, Inglewood, VVaitara and Stratford have been built, owing primarily to his efforts. The Very Rev. Dean Power (Hawera), a friend of 40 years’ standing, Father Moore (Eltham), who has had temporary charge of the parish during the dean’s illness, and Father Dillon, curate, were in constant attendance upon Dean McKenna, and were with him when he passed away. Although of a retiring disposition, the late dean’ was a man of high intellectual attainment and of very deep spirituality, being intensely devoted to the spiritual welfare of his people. He was well known for his many good qualities and ■ Iris readiness to help those in trouble. His death will be deeply regretted by all who knew him.
Outside the sphere of his church, Dean MdKenna had many true friends. For many years he was a well-known figure on the. New Plymouth Club’s bowlinggreen, being a. keen follower of the game.
MR. T. A. B. BAILEY, S.M. A WELL-KNOWN MAGISTRATE. A telegram from Wanganui announces the death of Mr. T. A. B. Bailey, stipendiary magistrate, who died there yesterday, at the age of 54 years. Mr. Bailey was well known throughout Taranaki, where he was magistrate for some years, coming here -on the retirement of Mr. A. Crooke. The late Mr. Bailey practised in the South Island before being appointed a magistrate, his first post being at Christchurch, where he was associated with the senior magistrate for the North Canterbury district. From Christchurch, Mr. Bailey was promoted to the Taranaki district, with headquarters at New Plymouth, and from here he went to Wanganui, gaining further promotion. He was a prominent member of the New Plymouth Golf Club, and took part in the social activities of the town, making many friends, who will regret his early death. Mr. Bailey had been in ill health for three or four months.
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Bibliographic details
Taranaki Daily News, 6 July 1922, Page 4
Word Count
544OBITUARY. Taranaki Daily News, 6 July 1922, Page 4
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