OBITUARY

New Zealand Tablet, 6 April 1916, Page 29

OBITUARY

MR. E. J. FITZGIBBON, WELLINGTON ■■ t? L ' (From our Wellington correspondent.) f- I regret to chronicle the death of Mr. E. J. Fitzgibbon, HL.B., one of our prominent Catholic young men, and ' one, of the best-known members of the legal profession in Wellington, who'passed away at the early age of thirty-five'years. Born in the Waimea,' on the „ West Coast of the South Island, nearly thirty-five years ago, he won a scholarship ; at the Goldsborough Public School, entitling him to free tuition at the Hokitika High School. There he matriculated;, and passed the Junior and Senior Civil Service examinations, and was appointed to a position in the Treasury. He was afterwards transferred to the Department of Agriculture, and became its accountant. sVhile in the Public Service he pursued his studies at Victoria College,; where, ■ when only twenty-four years of age, he ’ won the fif-st Plunket gold medal for oratory. Two-years later he passed his final examination for LL.B., Leaving the Service in 1907, Mr. 1 Fitzgibbon entered into practice as a barrister and solicitor, and rapidly became prominent in the city courts. Mr. Fitzgibbon, who possessed a splendid voice and a genial - personality, was in much demand as a public 'speaker. He was a prominent member of St. ..AnneV congregation. Ever since his sojourn in Wellington he / had been keenly interested in all Catholic societies™ especially the Catholic Young Men’s Club. He took a prominent “part in establishing the St. Aloysius’ branch of the Hibernian Society, and for many years acted as the Wellington correspondent of the N.Z. Tablet. Feeling reference was made in the Magistrate’s Court to the death" of Mr. Fitzgibbon. Speaking for the legal profession, Mr. O. N. Beere referred to the deceased gentleman’s kindly nature and genial manner. He was a, man they all expected would rise high in his profession, and', the untimely death of their brother member was deeply regretted by them all. They wished to extend their sympathy to the widow, young . children,- and mother of the deceased. . Mr. Riddell, S.M., said : ‘ It is fitting . and proper that the members of the legal profession should make reference to this sad event in the way they have done. The Bench also expresses its regret at the death of Mr. Fitzgibbon. Deceased was a young man and showed great promise in his profession. It is a'matter of .regret that he should \ be cut off at the beginning of his career.’ X - The ’ remains were interred in the Karori Cemetery on Wednesday morning. 1 .. Requiem Mass was celebrated at St. Joseph’s Church by the Ven. Archdeacon Devoy, S.M., in the presence of a crowded congregation; and the funeral cortege, which was of unusual length, was composed of representatives of all classes of the community. The/deceased i leaves ; a widow/ and three children to mourn their loss.-r-R.I.P. 1 r

MR. PETER GILFEDDER, : ONE TREE ? POINT. V ? Southland has lost . another Y sturdy colonist and pioneer settler in the person of Mr. Peter Gilfedder, J.P., who died at his residence. On© Tree Point, on Thursday, March 30, after a brief illness. The > deceased, who was born in. Fermanagh, was for a few years a member of, the Royal Irish Constabulary. He landed in New Zealand’ in the early sixties, and took, up a farm in the Eastern District, where he resided up to the time of his death. Being a man. of powerful physique, indomitable pluck, and f untiring energy, he applied himself cheerfully and vigorously to the arduous pioneering work that farming pursuits entailed in. these early -days. He took a keen interest in sports of every kind, ' and his tall, upright figure was conspicuous at every athletic gathering, where he was ever ready to assist in .carrying through the programme, and where he delighted te watch the performances of his sons in the various competitions. He was a staunch Liberal, and took a lively interest in local and ' general politics. His kindness of heart and generosity of nature gained for him troops of friends, and made his home at One Tree Point the scene of many a happy, pleasant social gathering. The late Mr. Gilfedder was a devout Catholic, and was always ready to accord generous support to any movement that tended to promote the interests of the Church, or the welfare of his native land. -In former days when buggies were scarce and motors unknown, he might have been seen, 'Sunday after Sunday, driving his family to the Invercargill church in the good old; farm dray over seven miles of rough unformed roads. He lived an upright, just, and honorable life, and died a peaceful and happy death in the midst of his family, who had lust arrived from various parts of the Dominion. His wife predeceased him some fourteen years, but he left a grown-up family to mourn their loss. These are;—Judge Gilfedder, LL.M., of the Native Land Court ; Mr. J. J. Gilfedder, .farmer, One Tree Point; Mr. Thomas Gilfedder, schoolmaster, - Athol Mr. T. P. Gilfedder, accountant, Auckland; and Mrs. S. Horan, of Te Kuiti. , > .;

The funeral, which was one of the largest ever seen in the district, took place on Sunday, April 2. The Rev. Father O’Neill officiated at . the grave, and mourners cam© from such distant parts of Southland as Wrey ? s Bush and Te Tua, In the funeral procession were Sir Joseph Ward, many pioneer settlers, and a few shipmates, who came to pay their last tribute of respect to the deceased. R.l.P.