THE CHURCH IN NEW ZEALAND

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXVII, Issue 14, 8 April 1909, Page 530

THE CHURCH IN NEW ZEALAND

MEMOIRS OF THE EARLY DAYS

(Contributed.')

AUCKLAND.

Pioneer Catholic Families.

Much "as the desirability exists for recording the lifework of prominent pioneer Catholic families, tho scope of these memoirs does not permit of this being done, with the exception of a few notable instances here and there throughoat the Dominion, Avhich have been brought under our notice in tho process of collecting material suitable for the publication in Avkich we are engaged. Closely associated with the rise and progress of the Church in Auckland, and bearing a considerable share in the advancement of religion and education, are the families of Mr. Edward Mahoney and Mr. Edmund Mahony, the heads of which. although bearing a similar name, were not related excepi by marriage.

Mr. Edward Mahoney, head of the firm of Messrs. E. Mahoney and Sons, the well known architects, was a native of Cork, where he studied his profession, and came out to New Zealand with his wife and three young children in February, 185 G. There being little scope in Auckland in those days for the practice of his profession, Mr. Mahoney, who al*o had had a technical training, started in business first as a builder and later as a -timber merchant. In 1870, he commenced the practice of his profession, being joined later by his eldest son, Mr. Thomas Mahoney, tho present head of the firm, ' and afterwards by his youngest son, the late Mr. Robert Mahoney For over thirty years tlie firm held the leading practice in Auckland as architects, designing and supervising the erection of all classes of buildings, including all the Catholic orlowaKtical edifices of the diocese with few exceptions, and also churches for other denominations, as well as a great many of the most important commercial and residential buildings m the province. Mr. Mahoiicy was for many years architect to the Bank of New Zealand and the Auckland Education and Grammar School Boards. He died in 1895 at the ago of 71 years, Mrs. Mahoney having predeceased him in 1891. Out of eleven children he is survived by one daughter and two sons (Mr. T. Mahoney and Very Rev. Father Mahoney, of Orieliunga) As the Very Rev. W. H. Mahoney was the first nativeborn New Zealander ordained priest, and as he will celebrate Ins sacerdotal silver jubilee on April 12 a brief account of his career deserves a place in these memoirs. The Very Rev. William H. Mahoney, youngest surviving son of the late Mr. Edward Mahoney, architect, was born at Auckland in October, 1857, and educated by the Sisters of Mercy and at the Catholic boys' schools in Auckland. In February, 1876, after a short classical course in Auckland, and upon the recommendation of the Most Rev. Dr. Croke, Archbishop of Cashel, who was translated a few years previously from Auckland, Father Mahoney went to Thurles, where the Archbishop resided, m order to study for the priesthood. While there Dr Croke took a great interest in his young protege, 'whom he had confirmed in Auckland, and of whom he held a high opinion. His health failing him after a few years the young student went to St. Omer (France) to read his course of philosophy, but finding the climate of northern Irance rather trying he eventually went to St. Mary's S^tti? 8 ?! o**'0 **' Uear Bjnningham, where the venerable Bishop Ullathorne, so well known in Australia, then resided. Here Father Mahoney finished his course after having ?rZ V^t ¥ l T •° r ? + r f a f6W years before at Ramsgat! from Dr. Luck, just then consecrated Bishop of Auckland and upon the same occasion that Bishop Lenihan was ordained priest. .On April 12, 1884, Father Mahoney wi raised to the priesthood by Dr. Ilsley, the present Bishop of Birmingham. After touring through Europe in company with his elder brother, Mr. .Thomas Mahoney, lie returned to New Zealand in October, 1884, and was sent by Bishop Luck as assistant for a short time to Monsignor fhe cltr?. ?n?? n ?i a - *•*? - J . Une ' 1881 885 > h6 was to the cliarge of the district embracing the whole of the north of Auckland from the North Shore to the North Cape, with the exception of the Kaipara, Wairoa, and Hokianga and having his headquarters at the German settlement of Puhoi. Here Father Mahoney remained mortta^ in iRm n J f ars S Wlth the exception of about ten months m 1891 when he accompanied Bishop Luck" to Europe and, together with his younger brother, Mr. Robert S°srfT^ c rS 8 \}Tt°* *?e? c East ' Sta r in e a short ALinoi In, 1896 Jie made another visit to Europe with his sister, visiting South America en route, and also South Africa on Ins return. In 1899 Father Mahoney went to

the Thames for two years, taking the place of Monsignor O'Reilly, who had been appointed by Bishop Lenihan to St. Patrick's, Auckland, during the absence of the latter from the diocese. It was upon his departure from the Thames that Father Mahoney 's health broke down, and, his medical adviser recommending a change and rest, he proceeded to Europe again in 1901, living for the ensuing three and a half years in Italy, France, and Germany, and after a short course of travel in Canada and the United States he retxirned to his old mission at Puhoi. Upon the death of Monsignor Paul in March, 1905, he was appointed by Bishop Lenihan as irremovable rector of Onehunga.

Mr. Edmund Mali on y was a native of Bantry, County Cork, and came of a family of civil engineers. He followed that profession, and was for a time attached as a civilian to the Ordnance Department of the Royal Engineers, in which capacity he came to New Zealand, landing in Auckland in 1849 with his wife and three children. After settling down in Auckland ho was employed for many years as engineer and surveyor, and later as draughtsman to the Auckland Provincial Council. His technical knowledge was employed in the erection of old St. Patrick's Cathedral, which was completed shortly after his arrival in Auckland. He died in 1883 at the age of 71 years, and Mrs. Mahony in November, 1897. They are survived by three sons and two daughters, the best known of his family being Mr. Edmund Mahony, solicitor. Mr. Edmund Mahony was no blood relation of Mr. Edward Mahoney, for though both were in Cork ahout the same time they were unacquainted with each other, and they met for the first time in New Zealand. They were related by marriago, however, having married two sisters.

(To be continued.)