OBITUARY

New Zealand Tablet, 2 May 1912, Page 36

OBITUARY

MR. THOMAS HEFFERNAN, SOUTH DUNEDIN. A highly respected resident of South Dunedin, in the person of; Mrv Thomas Heffernan, passed ■ away at his residence, King Edward street, on Friday last at the age of 73 years. ' The deceased was born-at Faulmore, Mayo, and was a witness of many stirring scenes in; his native county. In common with many others, he left by the ship Young America in 1860, the year of -many evictions in Mayo, for Melbourne. The gold discoveries brought him to Dunedin, and subsequently to -the West Coast. He spent a few years contracting in Auckland, and then came to Dunedin. He completed several contracts on the Green Island and Mosgiel Main roads, and in 1874 made his permanent home in South Dunedin. He was one of the first councillors in the old Flat district, and could give many interesting reminiscences of the old days, when: it was not an uncommon thing to feed residents through the windows from a boat after a very heavy rain. Fo'r the last 30 years he had the license of the South Dunedin Hotel. The' deceased leaves a wife, four sons, and five daughters to mourn their loss. The funeral on Sunday afternoon was largely attended. The interment took place in the Catholic portion" of the Southern Cemetery, Rev. D. O'Neill officiating at the graveside. —R.I.P.

MR. WILLIAM FITZGERALD, LEVELS PLAINS. Very sincere regret was felt throughout South Canterbury when it became known that Mr. William Fitzgerald, of ' Daragh Farm,' had met his death through an accident on Saturday, April 20, whilst re-turning-from Timaru. The deceased, with his wife and daughter. were on their way, home in a trap, when within a short distance, of their homestead the horse shied v and stumbled, and Mr. Fitzgerald was thrown out oh the road. A messenger was immediately sent to Temuka for a priest and doctor, and in the meantime Mr. Fitzgerald was taken to his home. Rev. Father Henry, on ; arrival, adminstered Extreme Unction, and soon after Mr. Fitzgerald passed awayi The deceased was T highly esteemed by ail who knew him and deservedly so, for a more lovable, or more sympathetic man it would be difficult to find. He was most charitable, and gave generously to every deserving cause. The late Mr. Fitzgerald was bori in 1838, at Daragh Farm, parish of . Cullen, neajr Millstreet, County of Cork.' In 1860, in company with his brother, Mr. John Fitzgerald, he went to England, and worked in the Woolwich Arsenal until September, 1862, when they left for New Zealand. The ship came direct to the Timaru .roadstead, but the Fitzgerald Brothers did not land. They went on to Lyttelton, where they landed and met their' brother Michael, who had arrived- some time .before them. In 1865, the late Mr. Fitzgerald, in company with his brother Michael, proceeded to the West Coast rush, but being unskilled in gold-mining, did no good, and after a time returned to Christchurch. In the meantime, Mr. . John Fitzgerald, who wisely remained behind, had gone to South Canterbury and had prospered, having acquired a piece of land at Arowhenua.'• In 1868, the late Mr. Fitzgerald joined his brother John at Arowhenua, and henceforth ; both.; worked together farming, • contract ploughing, fencing, cropping, and so on*. In 1882, the late 'Mr. Fitzgerald married Miss Irwin, sister of Mrs. Spillane, of Temuka, and went to live on—the farm where he died, leaving a widow with ; six sons' and three daughters to mourn their, .loss, and who have the sincere sympathy of ; ,a large circle of friends in their bereavement. Never in the whole history of Temuka has there been witnessed so large a funeral cortege as/that which followed the remains to the Temuka Cemetery. A Requiem Mass was celebrated . at 8 o'clock that morning, subsequently when the body arrived at the church the first part of the burial service was read by the Rev. Father

Kerley, S.M., assisted by Very Rev. Dean Tubman, S.M. Timaru. The burial service at the graveside was conducted by the Rev. Father Kerley, S.M. There were present at the funeral people from all parts of the Dominion, who thus showed their respect to the memory of one of the best of men, the kindest of fathers, and the most considerate of husbands.—R.l.P.