People We Hear About

New Zealand Tablet, 30 December 1915, Page 43

People We Hear About

Mr. Philip Gibbs, the correspondent whose graphic descriptions of the war in France and Flanders is quoted daily in our cable messages, is . one of the many Catholics eminent in English journalism. He is an active member of Catholic societies, and recently presided at and addressed the annual meeting of a society for the spread of Catholic literature. Mr. Gibbs was born in 1877, the son of Henry Gibbs, of the Board of Education. He has served on the editorial staffs and as special correspondent of the Daily Mail, and the Daily Chronicle, and other London papers, and as war correspondent of the Graphic and Daily Graphic. He now represents the Daily Chronicle. Mrs. Gibbs, his wife, is the daughter of the Rev. W. Rowland, rector of Middle Chinnock, and she is a convert to the Catholic Church. She was educated abroad, and she is the author of translations from the French, German, and Italian.

The Most Rev. Edmond Francis Prendergast, Archbishop of Philadelphia, who celebrated the golden jubilee of his ordination last month, was born in Clonmel, County Tipperary, in May. 1813. His Grace’s branch of the Carew-Prendergast family has given many sons and daughters to the Church. One of his brothers; the Rev. Peter J. Prendergast, D.D., became rector of the Church of the Epiphany, New York city. Another brother, Father Francis Prendergast, is stationed in Dungarvan, Waterford. Two of his sisters entered the religious life in Ireland ; one of these is the Rev. Mother Mary Peter, of the Presentation Convent at Lismore. His father’s brother, Rev. James Prendergast. died in the ministry at the age of eighty-six, at Tallow. Two uncles, his mother’s' brothers, were the late Father Edmond Carew, of the archdiocese of Cashel, and the late Father Francis Carew, pastor of St. Rose of Lima’s Church, Carbondale. Pa. In 1859 the future Archbishop entered the seminary at Philadelphia, and was ordained to the priesthood at the age of twenty-two and one-half years, on November 17, 1865.

That flue champion of Irish nationality the Hon. John Meagher, K.C'.S.G., celebrated the eightieth anniversary of his birthday on December 6 (says the Sydney Freeman’s Journal). Few if any public men are better known in the State than the founder of the progressive firm of John Meagher and Co., Ltd., of Bathurst, with its branches at Temora, Forbes, Wyalong, and Barmedman. A volume could be written of the veteran’s activity and generosity on behalf of the Church, as well as bis spirited advocacy for the freedom of his loved country. A native of Kilrush, County Clare, Mr. Meagher arrived in this State in the year 1863, and emphasises the fact that Irishmen are well, able to more than hold their own in the promotion of what is best for their adopted country. In 1900 Mr. Meagher was appointed to the Upper House, and applied his energy and abilities to useful constitutional legislation. Save our leading prelates, no man is better known at Catholic functions throughout New South Wales. Each diocese in the State'has reason to know and appreciate the liberality of Mr. Meagher. Time and distance are unconsidered trifles when Mr. Meagher believes that he can do good towards the advancement of Catholicity in any part. Apart from other generous gifts, he not many years ago purchased ;'Logan Brae,’ a splendid building standing in 25 acres,'and presented it to the Sisters of Mercy for use as a Novitiate in. Bathurst.