OBITUARY

New Zealand Tablet, 26 September 1912, Page 43

OBITUARY

MR. PATRICK O’REILLY, STRATFORD. A large circle of friends, and particularly * older < residents of this district, will learn with deep regret that Mr. Patrick O’Reilly, a highly respected settler of Skinner Road, passed peacefully away on August 19 (says the Stratford Fast). The late Mr O’Reilly, who was in his 67th year, came to New Zealand from Ireland some forty years ago, having been born in County Cork, and attracted to this country by the news of the West Coast goldfields. Landing eventually at Hokitika, Mr. O’Reilly saw some strenuous times. After varying fortune he came to the North Island, and saw the railway put through from Hawera to New Plymouth. In June, 1379, a sturdy single young man, Mr. O’Reilly .took up laud on the Skinner Road, and from the wilderness carved out his home. He saw many rough times, and underwent the hardships incidental to all pioneering, but never lost heart, and won much respect and esteem amongst his fellow-settlers. He married Miss Mary O’Callaghan, by whom he is survived. 1 One son only is left, Mr. Leo Patrick O’Reilly, and for the bereaved wife and son much sympathy is felt. The late Mr. O’Reilly, who was a strong supporter of the Tablet, and a subscriber for many . -years, was a faithful and practical Catholic, and he passed away fortified by all the rites of the Church. The funeral took place on August 22, and'was the largest seen in the district for many years. Very Rev. Dean McKenna, assisted by Rev. Father Treacy, officiated both at the church and at the graveside. —R.I.P. MR. JOHN CHANEL COOPER, ASHBURTON. (From our Ashburton correspondent). It is with sincere regret I have to report the death, /at the residence of his parents, on September 17, of Mr. John Chanel Cooper, eldest son of Mr. F. K. Cooper. The deceased was confined to his bed for some few weeks, but the nature of the complaint gave no cause for alarm, and his complete restoration to health was confidently expected by those in touch with him. Unfortunately such was not to be, as on the Tuesday morning a decided change was noticed, and by noon this most promising young man had breathed his last. The late Mr. Cooper was in his 19th year, and to his credit be it said (although having left school some years) he still continued up to the time of his recent illness to serve Mass. He was a prominent member of the Young Men’s Catholic Club, St. Mary’s Tennis Club, and the local choir. He was also a member of the local Municipal. Brass Band. The funeral took place on Thursday, September 19, and was largely attended. Members of the Catholic Young Men’s Club acted as pallbearers, while representatives of the other Catholic societies followed the cortege. Very Rev. Dean O’Donnell officiated at the graveside. All the clubs of which the deceased was a member, also his late employers (the Farmers’ Co-operative Association) sent wreaths. The parents were the recipients of many messages of Sympathy in their great loss.R.I.P. MR. DANIEL HAMILL, AUCKLAND. (From an occasional correspondent.) Mr. Daniel Hamill, an old and much respected colonist, departed this life at his residence, Collingwood street, Ponsonby, on Thursday, September 12, at the age of 77 years. The deceased, who was an ardent advocate of Home Rule, was a native of Ranaldstown, Co. Antrim. In his early years he followed the profession of architect, and was associated with the building of some of the principal churches in the North of Ireland, amongst them being the beautiful Cathedral of St. j Patrick in Armagh. In later years he was engaged in the flour-milling, trade, and was well known as the owner of large flour mills in Co. Armagh. Although for the last eighteen months he was deprived of sight, the result of an accident which occurred a few years ago, he was always most patient and cheerful, and he retained his full mental faculties to the end. He passed peacefully away, fortified by all the rites of the Church,

which were administered by the Rev. "Father Edge, who was untiring in his attention to deceased in his last illness, and who celebrated the Requiem. Mass and officiated at the graveside. Deceased is survived by five daughters, one of whom is Mrs Henry Mackle, of Hinds, Canterbury, and was predeceased by his wife and six children.—R.l.P.