MACRAES.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXIV, Issue 4, 22 May 1896, Page 18

MACRAES.

(From an occasional Correspondent)

May 20tb. Thbbb passed away to his well-merited reward on Ascension Thursday morning one of yoar oldest readers. Mr Pbelan was widely respected by all sections of the community and justly so too, beoansa of his many sterling qualities. He came to New South Wales nearly half a century ago and in a few years after he directed his steps to Victoria and entered the goldfields. He spent with varying snooeM some few years in Bendigo and cama thenoe to New Zealand. In the,ghotover it war, I think, he struck his first gold ia this Colony, from that he came hsre to Macraes to pursue his favourite avocation. About fifteen cr twenty years ago he invested in some land bnt never gave up his search for the precious metal. About ten years ago he discovered what is now known as the Bonanza mine and it very soon became the property of .a small company, Mr Phelan himself retaining two-thirds interest. This property turned out to be a rich mine, and about thres yean ago the Phelan family became its sole owners. Owing to good common sense, sound judgment, close attention to business and from the fact of his family being possessed of the same qualifications, he died worth considerable means. He was always ready to assist his neighbours, and bence the popularity he enjoyed, as evinced by the large number that followed his remains to the Palmerston South Catholic Cemetery last Sunday. He was passionately fond of the old land, particularly his own native Tipperary, where his father was known to be a wealthy farmer. After bis love of the Catholic Oburcb, his love of Ireland— to cherish her traditions in the minds of the young colonial Irish, to procure sympathy for her in her sorrows to assist in securing her independence had the next place in his heart. His love of the Catholic Church was simply extraordinary. Never absent from Mass (even on week days when the Holy Sicrifice was offer jd in M acnes), regularly at tha Sacraments, assisting at the Rosary, which was the family prajer offered every night in bis house, be was a devoted and a practical Catholic. His hand was always open to church building and it is not too much to say that among the laity he did for the erection of St Patrick's Church in Macraeß the lion's share. The priest of the district, Rev Father O'Donnellbaslosta genuine and generous friend and the Church a good contributor. Mr Phelan j has left to mourn his loss a widow and eeveo children, the eldest of whom is Mrs Treaby, Ngapara. It is the verdict of this locality that in Mr Pbelan there has passed away a good citizen, a good Irishman, and a good practical Catholic.