DEATH OF SIR JOHN O'SHANASSY.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XI, Issue 5, 25 May 1883, Page 17

DEATH OF SIR JOHN O'SHANASSY.

(From the Sydney Express.") The newsof the.deatb of Sir John O'Shanassy, which occurred at half-past 2 o'clock on Saturday afternoon, May 5, has been received throughout Australia with a wide-spread feeling of regret. About a month since he suffered from a blister under the large toe of his left foot, which rapidly developed into mortification ; under the care of Dr. J. P. Ryan the gangrene, was reduced, but on Thursday week the disease began to spread, and on Friday the patient became much worse, continuing afterwards in extreme prostration. Dr. Fitzgerald was then consulted, but all efforts to check the spread of the disease proved fruitless. i John O'Shanassy was born in the year 1818, near Thurles, a town in the county of Tipperary, Ireland. He married on attaining his majority and emigrated, reaching Melbourne, then a struggling place with a population of 5000, in the year 1839. He first directed his attention to farming and Btock-breeding, and struggled manfully with the difficulties of the position for several years, but in 1346 he removed to the city, ana established himself as a draper in Elizabeth street. A powerfully built young man, he had already attracted attention- by his energy, and now, taking an interest in public affairs, he soon displayed conspicuous ability. He was returned to the City Council for Gipps Ward in 1846. This was his entrance into that political life for which he at once showed remarkable aptitude. He was always a leading speaker in the agitations against the .importation of convicts, and in favour of the separation of Port Philip from the colony of New South Wales. When Victoria, in 1861, attained its independence, he was returned for the City of Melbourne to the single, chamber of which the Parliament was composed. As a member of the old Council, which consisted of 10 Government nominees and 20 elective members, Mr. O'Sbanassy always led the Opposition to the nominee and extreme squatting elements. As one of the members of the committee appointed by the Council to report upon the best form of a constitution for the colony, Mr. O'Shanassy was practically the author of some of the chief features of Victoria's legislative system. On the inauguration of the bicameral system of legislation, of which he was always an ardent advocate, he received the compliment of a double return, being elected for Kilmore and reelected for Melbourne. On the -defeat of the Haines Government in 1857, he became Chief Secretary, but only held office for six weeks. In March 1858. he again became Premier. He retired from office in October 1859, still retaining his seat for Kilmore, and be again displaced the Haines Government in November 1861. His Ministry this time lasted for 20 months and passed a large number of important measures, but was beaten in June 1863, upon Mr. Duffy's proposal to increase the squatting assesment. Mr. O'Shanassy never again held office, though he remained a member of Parliament, excepting a few short intervals, up to the date of the general election in February last. In May. 1866, beirig" in indifferent health, Mr. O'Shanessy took a trip to Europe, returnyingta the colony in August 1867. Mr. Fellows having surrendered * the leadership cf the Constitutional party in the Upper House to enter tl c Legislative Assembly, Mr. O'Shanassy took his place in February 1868, being elected without opposition for the Central Province. Oo retiring by rotation in August 1872, he was re-elected without opposition for 10 years, and then came forward as an unflinching if unsuccessful opponent of the Education State-aid Abolition Bill. Tiring of the comparative inactivity of , the life of an Upper House member, Mr* O'Shanessy determined upon re-entering the

stormy arena of the Legislative Assembly. In April 1874, he re* signed his seat in. the Legislative Council and contested Kilmore for the Legislative Assembly, but was defeated by Mr. Hunt. In January, 1876, he sought election for Villiers and. Hey tesbury,\*tid was defeated by Mr.i Jpseph Jones, the Commissioner of PublicyWorks. At the general election of May, 1877, however, he was returned for Belfast, and held the seat until the last general election, when he suffered, with other Irish members,, , the additional unpopularity brought upon them by the. Dublin assassinations. "In his early days," gays the Age, " Sir John .O'Shanassy was a firm advocate of the right of the, people to selfrgovernment, to the fullest control over the territory and over,, the ; , constitution pf the country they might be said to have created. During his career in this Colony he witnessed the growth of the population, from a mere handful to the numbers of a nation, and the 4avra of the unexampled material and social progress we are. now able to boast of., He had no small share in shaping the destinies of the country which, >aB he once said, he • loved so well.' Though in thelatter part of, his career, he was at variance with the popular will, he will be remembered as a successful colonist, and a statesman (in the not very strict sense) of distinguished, ability, and as a politician whose name, has become part of our history for all time." 'The funeral of the deceased stateman took place on, Monday. In the morning, at 11 o'clock, the Office for the Dead andßeqniem Mass were celebrated in St. Patrick's Cathedral, in the presence of an immense congregation, which filled the spacious building to overflowing. Archbishop Goold occupied the Throne. .- Archpriest O'Meara officiated as celebrant, the Rev. E, Nolan, 8. J., as, deacon, and the Rev. J. Heffernan as sub-deacon, Dean Donaghy being master of the ceremonies. The Archbishop .having t pronounced i the final | absolution, the Rev. T. Cahill, 8. J., delivered a brief .funeral oration, taking for his text the words, " Be thou faithful ; unto death, and I will give thee, the crown of life." The, mournful cortege .started, from the Cathedral for the Melbourne' General Cemetery about half-past one o'clock. The pall-bearers were Mr, Lalor, Speaker of ■ the- Legislative Assembly; Sir Bryan O'Loghlen, Mr. Dodgshun,. Mayor of Melbourne ; Dr. Hearn, M.L.C., Mr. Orkney, M.L.A., Judge Quinlan, Messrs. W. H. Archer, P. O'Brien, E. Fitzgerald and A..,Btacpoole. The Archbishop's carriage, containing the Very Rev. Dr. Fitzpatrick, V.G., and Archpriest O'Meara, -preceded t the hearse. Most of the clergy attending at the church were likewise present at the cemetery. The streets through which the procession 'passed- were lined with spectators. At several places in the city flags were hung at half* mast, and the Government offices and law courts were closed at noon. The burial service was conducted by Archpriest O'Meara.