TEMUKA.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXIII, Issue 47, 20 March 1896, Page 27

TEMUKA.

(^rom an occasional O^rreppordent.)

With great Fonow I have to chronicle 'h>) death of Mr James Gillespie, of Temuka, which took place at Castle Hill, near Christ. chinch, oo the first of March. Your readers will remember that some time ago I referred to the promising future which was before tbis joung man (who was only 26 at t 1 c time of bis death), who was then about to take charge of the Siadown State school. I referred to the excellent results his energy and ability had produced, and to-day I j >in his family and all who knew him in mourning his loss. Some time ago the deceas p d young rmn caught a bad coH, and he had to des'st teachirjer. Not long ago he, in coiopany witb Miss Gillespi" whose devotion to her brother is worthy of note, went to the place mentioned above to recruit his health, bjt there ha passed away in p aceiul resignation, fortifi d witb the rites of the Holy Church. He was brought to Temuka oa the 3rd March, and on the following day was taken to the Church, where a Mass was celebrated, and the " Detid Marcn in Siul" was played by Miss Quinn. The funeral was a very large one, being followed by school children, footballers! cncketeis, and a large number of vehicles and public on foot. Innumerable wreathe were kindly sent by frienda. The late Mr Gillespie wss an enthusiast, and where good was to be don« there were his sympathy and assistance. When Father Aubry was raising an organ fund the young man whose loss we lament rendered material assistance, and when Father Malone'e Debating Society wan ii exi-tenoo bp wag the centre figure. He was respected and b luvfd »>y ► verynnr, ii"rt J m common with al', extend my sympathy with Us good mother and family. Mrs Gilleepie dceires lo tender

her heartfelt thanks to her many friends for the k ndness ehown during the late Mr Gillespie's illness and since his demise.— R.l.P. Aa your readers are aware, from a recent Timaru letter, there has been a remal among Hibernians in Temuka, and I am pleased to say the affair promises to be a Buccess. After thirty signatures of those willing to join had been obtained, an invitation was given to the officers of the Timaru branch to attend a meeting in Temuka, with the view of giving necessary explanation, on Thursday evening (sth met), when Broß M. F. Dennehy, M. Mullins, Thomas Sheeby, J. McKenna, J. P. McGowan, E. Yenning, J. Feeley, M. Fitzgerald, P. Kane, and J. Cunningham drove cut from Timaru to throw spirit into the meeting, which was a large one, and proved also an enthusiastic one. Mr Denneby was voted to the chair, and in a masterly manner explained the advisability of starting a branch of the Hibernian Society, its advantages and benefits, and read the rules o! special importance. Mr Dennehy relieved his matter with an occasional profusion of humour, which was much appreciated. After several questions had been answered, and each of the Timaru officers bad addressed a few words to the meeting, the customary petition ; to the Distriot Board, which had been kindly drawn up by Mr Denneby, was signed. It was resolved that "St Joseph's branch " should ba the name by which the branch will be called. Mr J. Polaschek, at the chairman's suggestion, consented to act as secretary, pro tern, A hearty vote of thanks to Mr Dennehy and the visiting brethren was carried by acclamation. The branch, era long, promises ' to be a vary strong one, acd the promoters desire to specially thank the young men for the hearty manner in which they have taken up the project. After the meeting the assemblage adjourned to Mrs ( McOallum's, where a repast had been prepared. After lnncb, Mr Dennehy, in hn well-known dramatic style, recited " Fontenoy," and Messrs McKenna, McAuliffe, and Polaschek each^gave a long. The visitors returned well satisfied with the hospitality of their Temuka friande. I am sorry to have to announce the removal from Temuka to Havelock of Constable E; Egan. Constable Egan has been in Temuka for abont seven years, and during that time he has earned for himself by his uprightness and perfect conception of bis duties, the goodwill, esteem, and respect of all with whom he came in contact. No one under the discharge of such disciplinary duties as fall to the lot of " the man in the force " could have gained more universal respect as Constable Egan had done. He has also created for himself a name for bravery, as it will be remembered the constable rescued the late Mr Mulhern from being burnt to death in the Royal Hotel fire. For bis brave conduct Constable Egan was awarded the Humane Society's bronze medal. On the 6th March a social in his honour was held in the Volunteer Hall, which was a very representative one, Mr M. Qjinn occupying the chair. The speakers all bore testimony of Constable Egan's sterling worth. I am sure si] will heartily join me in wishing Constable Egan and his family eveiy success The removal, I might mention, is a promotion.