OBITUARY.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVII, Issue 18, 4 May 1899, Page 28

OBITUARY.

FATHER COMTE. THE FIRST CATHOLIC PRIEST IN OTAKI.

Last week (says the N.Z. Times) the news was received in Otaki of the death of the Rev. Father Conite (Kometa, in Maori). He died in France on January 14tu last, at the age of eighty-seven years. He remained strong and healthy to the lusr. In the Catholic Church last Sunday (says the local Mail) reference was made to the good work done by Father Comte over fifty yetirs ago. He was tbe first priest who came to Otaki, and had his first church on the top of the Pukekaraka Hill, with his little whare close to it. Having converted the Ngatikapu and several other tribes up the coast to Christianity, he proceeded, with wonderfully suc^eisful results, to civilise them. He induced them to erect a flour-mill and a ropemaking concern at Waitohu ; to buy a fine schooner named Elizabeth, in order to take their produce to Wellington ; to cut and saw — up the Otaki River — the timb -r for the actual church. However, he left Otaki before the church was erected. The decea°ed clergyman's memory is quite green even now amongst the natives, and also the very tew old settlers, who were in the district and knew him. They all speak in the highest terms of him. On Monday a solemn Requiem Mass was celebrated in the Catholic Church at the end of which the ' Dead March ' was played on the organ. At the conclusion of the service the Maoris had a proper tnngi in honour of the late Father Comte. The natives have decided to perpetuate the memory of their first priest by erecting a tablet in the church, after the building has been renovated and enlarged. It will be remembered that the J übilee of the Catholic mission in Otaki was eelebratel on December 30, 181)4, by the erection of the large cross on the Pukekaraka Hill. His Grace Archbishop Redwood, preached on the occasion. — E I. P.

MISS MARY KERIN, CBOMWELI.

We deeply resrret to record the death of Miss Mary Kerin, eldest daughter of Mr. James Kerin, Cromwell, the sad event taking place on April 20. The deceased had been in failing health for tome time, so that her end was not unexpected. Miss Kerin was of a kind and gentle disposition, which made her a great favourite. The funeral took place on Sunday, April 2\i, and the cortege {a&GPtAing to the local Time*) was the largest ever seen in Cromwell. Residents were prefent from the whole of the districts round, including Tarras, Hawea, Bannockburn, Lovvburn, and Quartz Keef Point. The coffin was borne from the cemetery gate to the last resting-place by eight young ladies — Mi-ses M. Monntney, P. Fleming, K. McNulty, M. McXulty, S. McNulty, F. Thomas, F. Richards, and M. Wishart. A very large number of floral wreaths and crosses were laid on the grave. The Rev. Father Hunt conducted the burial service. Great; sympathy is felt for Mr. and Mrs Kerin in the sad loss thty have sustained. — U.I.P.

MR. WILLIAM GAVIX, CLUTIIA.

The death of an old and re?pected resident of the Ciutha, Mr. William Gavin, is reported, the Fad event taking place on Sunday. April 23. Tne deceased had been a grtat sufferer for some yean*, but passed away quietly at the age of 74 years. Mr. Gavin was born in Loughrea, Galway, and leit his native place for the United States about fifty years ago. After remaining in the States for porno years, he left for Australia, and eventually came on to New Zealand, arriving in Otago in the early gold-digging days Since lSf>2 he had been a resident of Ciutha and ne'jjhoourhood, where he had been held in the highest respect. The deceased was a shrewd, practical, and straightforward man, and a sturdy champion of his native land. The funeral took place ua Tuesday, April 2.j, acd was largely attended. — U.I.P.

MR. DAVID GRIFFIX, JtJNR., TIMARU.

On Saturday, April 20, Mr. David Griffin, junr. (writes our Timaru correspondent), passed peacefully away, fortified by the rites of the Church. The deceived had been ill only for a few days, so that his death, which was wholly unexpected, came as a great sdojk to his relatives and friends. Mr. Griffin, who was about 27 years of age, had been married only a year, and he leaves a widow and one child. The greatest sympathy is felt for Mrs. Griffin, and also for the parents of the deceised in the loss they have sustained. There was a very large number of persons present at the obsequies in the Church of the Sacred Heart. Rev. Father McDonald officiated at the interment in the Timaru Cemetery. — H.I. P.