DEATH OF FORMER HOST OF HOSTEL AT DAWSON FALLS

Wanganui Chronicle, 1 June 1948, Page 4

DEATH OF FORMER HOST OF HOSTEL AT DAWSON FALLS

Mr. James Patrick Murphy, for 23 years a lessee of Dawson Falls hostel, and a former Mount Cook guide, died at his ho,me in Riverlea, South Taranaki, yesterday morning. Mr. Murphy was widely known as a genial host and had many friends in all parts of the world among mountaineering fraternity as well as travellers who, despite the passing of the years, had maintained a correspondence out of their interest in Egmont and their memories of holiday experiences.

Mr. Murphy was born at Gillespie’s Beach, South Westland, the only son of the late Mr. and Mrs. T. Murphy, later residents of Hokitika. He was a youth in the gold rush days and grew up with a close association with the Southern Alps. After mining experience, together with flax milling and bridge building. Mr. Murphy and Messrs Graham Brothers went to the Hermitage as guides, remaining there for live years, during which time Mr. Murphy climbed Cook and other peaks. He came to the North Island to the North Egmont Hostel in its opening year, 1912, and after his marriage in Auckland he and Mrs. Murphy became lessees of the Dawson Falls hostel in 1913. In the next 23 years the southern Egmont resort earned a wide reputation for its hospitality and in 1936 Mr. Murphy, who had earlier acquired farm property at Riverlea, took up his residence there and engaged in dairy farming. He was a director of the Joll Dairy Company, a member of Riverlea Federated Farmers and a member of the Kaponga Bowling Club. Deceased is survived by his widow and a family of four—Mrs. Joan .■aim, who has been living in America for the past five years and has been visiting her home, her twin sister, Mrs. Pat McNab, of Blenheim, Miss Pauline Murphy, of Wellington, and Mr. Brian Murphy, of Riverlea. There are six grandchildren. The late Mr. John Murphy, a pilot in the last war. was killed over Norway. Three sisters of deceased are Mrs. M. J. Fogarty, of Greymouth, Mrs. A. F. O'Donoghue, of Christchurch, and Miss M. Murphy, of Greymouth.