WESTPORT NOTES AND COMMENTS.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXI, Issue 13, 28 July 1893, Page 31

WESTPORT NOTES AND COMMENTS.

(By Old Identity )

13th July, 1893. I Beobet to be called upon to chronicle tha death of Mra O'Oallaghan, wife of Mr Coiueliu* O'CallagLau, which sad event took place on Saturday the 24th ultimo. The deceased lady contracted a severe cold some few months ago, which ultimately developed into inflamation of the lunga. Mrs O'Callaghan was an old resident of this district and she was universally esteemed by all who had the pleasure of her acquaintance. Much sympathy is felt for Mr O'Oallaghan and the family— of whom there are four daughters and one son— in their bereavement. The late Mrs O'Callagh-m was a native of County Tipperary, Treland ; aged 52 years. The morta 1 remains were conveyed to their last resting place, Orawaiti cemetery, on Monday. The Rev Father Morrissy read the first portion of the funeral service at St Oanice's church, and he also officiated at the graveside. The eldest daughter of the deceased is the wife of our respected townsman, Mr M. B. Carrick, draper ; formerly master of the local Catholic school.— May her soul rest in poace. It ia also my painful duty to announce that Mr and Mrs James Vaughan of Mokihinai, have had the misfortune to lose their second son (Cecil). The little fellow who was seized with bronchitis, passed away on Monday morning last after two day's illness. The remains were interred in the Mokihinui cemetery. Mr Patrick Galvin, junior» read the Roman Catholic burial service. The body of a man named William Mylett was found in Chasm Creek, a tributary of the Mokibinui river, on the 3rd inst. At the inquest subsequently held upon the body before William Gothard, Esq. J.P., the evidence addressed showed that the unfortunate man, while on his way home, after nightfall, on the Ist inst., fell through the railway culvert that spans Chasm Creek, a distance of 30 feet was drowned. The poor fellow had only a few hours previous to' meeting his untimely end received a wire from hie wife, conveying the intelligence that ehe had just arrived in Wellington from Sydney and was leaving for Westport immediately. Mrs Mylett, with her four young children, reached here by the a. 8. Mawhera on Wednesday last only to receive the sad tidings. The unpleasant duty of breaking the bad news to Mrs Mylett devolved upon Mra Michael Scanlon and several other Christian ladies in town. Under the distressing circumstances, heartfelt sympathy is evinced for the widow and orphans in their irreparable loss. Subscription lists for the bereaved ones have been opened at Mokihinui, Denoiston, and Westport, and I am pleased to say, the appeal is being generously responded to. The late Mr Mylett waa a recent arrival, and he was in the employ of the Mokihinui Coal Company. He was 33 years of age and waa a native of Yorkshire, England. A fatal accident happened in the Weatport Coal Company's mine, Denniston, on the 4th instant, whereby a miner name! Alexander Hunter lost his life. An inquest waa held before J. W. Fair, Esq, J.P., touching the death of Mr Hunter, when the following verdict waa returned .-—"The jury are of an opimou that Alexander Hunter met with bis death accidently by the running away of a truck, which would have been prevented if the ' devil ' had been put down." The " devil," otherwise known as a " sogg,' is an apparatus for stopping trucks. The late Mr Hunter, who was twenty-sight years of age, was only eight months out from Scotland. A painful boating fatality occurred at Fern Flat, Upper Bnller, whereby two men named John Quinn ard Frederick White lost their lives. The deceased, who were in the employ of the Alexander Dredging Company, were in the act of crossing the Bailer Biver, in a small boat, to secure the dredge against the dangers of a heavy flood, when the unfortunate men were caps-zed into the turbulent waters with the sad result above noted. The body of White was found last week, some miles below where the accident happened. Tbe body of Quinn has not yet been recovered, and the supposition is that it is being held by a enag. The late Mr Quinn resided in Weatport for two or three years— during the progress of the Coal Btraiths contract, some 16 years ago, and be won the esteem of nil With whom he was brought in coutact, for his many sterling qualities, Daring Mr Quinn'a residence hare he took a keen interest in matters affecting our holy religion, rendering valuable services as a teacher in St Canice's Sunday School. As a Sunday echool pupil of the deceased, and one who held the highest admiration for him as a good practical Catholic, indeed, it is with unfeigned fallings of sorrow that your correspondent joins with the majority of your West Coaat readers in expressing heartfelt sympathy with those that are left to mourn the melancholy circumstances surrounding the death of Mr Quinn. — May his soul rest in peace. To conclude my series of fatalities, which have occurred in and around this district during the past few weeks, I have a sad tale of the sta to relate. The cutter Lizzie, 40 tons burden, in command of Captain Livingston and two seamen (names unknown), left Hokitika for Ontbunga on the 10th ult., laden with 900 railway sleepers. Shortly after the Lizzie putting to sea a heavy gale sprung up. Seven or eight days later a vessel, bottom upwardß, was observed off

Cape Foulwind by a Greymonth bound steamer. The matter wan reported to the Marine Department, and the harbour steamer, Nile, immediately went in search and picked op the derelict 10 miles north-west of the Buller Harbour. With the assistance of the steamlaunch Moss-Rose the derelict was towed into port and moored opposite the Commercial wharf. Steam was got up in the big crane, and the craft was righted within balf-an-honr, and all doubts aa to the identity of the vessel were set at rest. Bailing operations were commenced, and after a few hours' work two bodies were found— one in the lazarette (a small hatch under the cabin floor), and the other was found in a bunk with a quantity of chain on it. The bodies were removed tc the morgue, waere an inquest was held, and the following verdict was returned :— " That the two men, names unknown, met their death by the capsizing of the cutter Lizzie sometime during the month of June." The widow and orphans of Captain Livingstone are said to live at MorniDgton, Dunedin. There has been strong comment expressed by the general public respecting the laxily of the authorities in ascertaining full particulars as to the whereabouts of the relations or friends of the deceased, and acquainting them with the Bad intelligence of the disaster. 1 am pleased to notice that the question of establishing a Convent School in our midst has been taken up with renewed energy. A large and enthusiastic meeting of the Building Committet was held at the Presbytery last Sunday evening. Present : The Very Bey Father Walsh (chairman), Messrs M. B. Carrick, D. Doyle, M. Scanlon, T. Clark, M. M'Padden, V. Sontgen, O. Corr, T. Jamea and Robert Oarr. The chairman submitted the rough plan of a building— a two storey one— which was, after being fully discussed, approved. It was also resolved to obtain estimates in brick, wood and iron from Mr R. A. Young, architect. When the committee are in possession of this information steps will immediately be taken towards the erection of the convent building upon the site at the corner o! Brougham and Derby-streets. The sum of £470 has already been subscribed towards the building fund, but there is also a very large sum, upwards of £400, outstanding, and the committee earnestly request those who wish to facilitate the praiseworthy object to redeem their promises as early as possible. lam asked to return the thanka of the committee to the Reverend Mother of the Wellington Content for the plan of the proposed Convent and other information anent tha Bubject.