DEATH OF THE REV. FATHER FORREST.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1246, 30 September 1884, Page 3

DEATH OF THE REV. FATHER FORREST.

The Very Rev. Father Forrest died at Napier on Sunday morning. The deceased gentleman, who was in hia tOth year, had been ailing for several years, but he had always succeeded in performing hia priestly duties until about six months ago, when be became completely incapacitated. Father Forrest, who was a very old colonist, was born at Lyons, France, in 1804, ordained priest in 1830, and was one of the original founders of the Marist Order in 1834. He left London for New Zealand in the ship London Packet, on the 9th of November 1841—tbe salute announcing the birth of tbe Prince of Wales, being fired as the London Packet was leaving tbe docks. Father Forrest arrived at Wellington in April, 1842, accompanied by the Revs. Father Regnier (Meanee), Latnpila (Kaikoura), and other Catholic Missionaries. After some delays, the party reached tbe Bay of Islands, then the centre of the Catholic missions in New Zealand. Father Forrest remained about two months at the Bay of Islands, and was then appointed to the charge of the Auckland district, where he remained until 1859. During his stay in Auckland he built the Church of St. Patrick, the present Cathedral, and on the appointment of Father Yiard (afterwards Bishop) in the charge of Wellington district, Father Forrest accompanied him, and remained in Wellington till 1861, when he was appointed parish priest of Napier, where with tbe exception of trro short periods, when be was administering the diocese after Bishop Yiard’s death, Father Forrest remained till his death on Sunday. Tbs remains of the deceased gentleman will be interred to-morrow afternoon.