OBITUARY

New Zealand Tablet, 15 June 1916, Page 43

OBITUARY

MR. WILLIAM FRANCIS MATHER, LINWOOD. With very sincere regret (writes our Christchurch correspondent), I record^the death of Mr. William Francis Mather, which occurred suddenly at his residence, Lancaster street, Linwood, on May 18, at the comparatively early age of 55 years. The late Mr. Mather had seen upwards of 40 years’ service on the Dominion Railways, commencing and ending at Christchurch, but, during a lengthy interval, being stationed at Invercargill, Greymouth, Westport, Wanganui, and Wellington. For a long period of service he was foreman of works. Owing to failing health, the late Mr. Mather retired on superannuation about two years ago. As a prominent member of the Cathedral congregation he was an example of faith and devotion, and ever manifested a deep love for, and veneration towards, our Blessed Lady. He leaves a widow, three sons, and four daughters. Of the sons, Mr. William Mather is a resident of Wanganui, and Messrs. Reginald and Leonard Mather, of Wellington. The daughters are— Mrs. B. A. Whittaker (Wellington), Mrs. C. H. Clark (Christchurch), arid Misses Winifred and Monica Mather. The youngest son, • Private Mather, of the Main Expeditionary Force, died last year in Egypt. Much sympathy is felt for the bereaved family. Requiem Mass for the repose of the soul of the deceased was celebrated in the Cathedral by the Rev. Father T. Hanrahan, who also officiated at the interment in the Linwood Cemetery.—R.l.P. MR. JAMES LARKIN, AUCKLAND. (From our own correspondent.) The death took place recently at Auckland of Mr. James Larkin, the well-known contractor of that city. Born in 1840 in Country Clare, he left his home at an early age to try his fortune in Australia, arriving in Victoria in 1855. After some time on the Ballarat and Bendigo Goldfields” he came to New Zealand, and participated in the Dunstan rush. In 1864 he arrived in Auckland, and, with the exception of two years on the Thames, he had lived here ever since. He followed the occupation of contractor, and built the Thames-Te Aroha railway, part of the Auckland-Helensville line, and the Kawa Kawa and Whangarei lines. He laid the lines for the old horse cars, and also built the old cemetery bridge in fact, he was associated in m|,ny ways with the opening up of the whole province. Mr. Larkin had been in failing health the whole of this year, and a, fortnight before his death was removed to the Mater Misericordise Hospital, where he died a most peaceful death, surrounded by the good Sisters of Mercy. He had been a prominent figure at St. Benedict’s Church, having been a parishioner there for nearly fifty years. It was his boast that he had been a collector for most of that time. His wife predeceased him some years ago. He leaves a family of two sons (Messrs. W. J. and H. J. Larkin, of Wellington and Otaki), and three daughters (Mrs. Kelly and Miss N. Larkin, of Auckland, and Miss Larkin, of Palmerston North). A Requiem Mass was celebrated at St. Benedict’s by the Rev. Father Dunphy. Monsignor Gillan spoke very feelingly of the good qualities of the deceased, and said he was a model for all to follow, and had died, as he had lived—a true Catholic. Monsignor Gillan officiated at the graveside, assisted by Rev. Father Carran and Very Rev. Chancellor Holbrook. Many of Auckland’s pioneers were present at the funeral, most of them being friends of over forty years. A large number of messages of condolence were received by the family from all parts of the Dominion.— R.I.P.

; MR. JAMES WHELAN, ARROWTOWN. . - It is with regret that we announce the death of another of the old identities of this district; in - the person of Mr. James Whelan, who passed away at the

residence of his brother-in-law, Mr. E. Fitzgibbon, on Sunday, May 28 (says the Lake County Press). The late Mr. Whelan was born in Queen’s County, Ireland, in 1833, and was for some years a member of the Irish Constabulary. He came out to Australia about 1859, and was attached to the Victoria Police for about three years. In 1862 he came over to New Zealand, and shortly after his arrival he again took up police duties. In 1863 he was appointed to the Arrow district, and he was subsequently transferred to Cardrona ’ He resigned from the force in 1865, and after giving the West Coast diggings a trial he returned to this district, and took up the farm at Arrow Junction, at present occupied by Mr. McMaster. After working the farm for about twenty years Mr. Whelan sold out and finally settled on a small farm at Gibbston, where he resided until about two years ago, when he removed to Arrow. The late Mr. Whelan was an honest and hard-working man, who was upright in all his dealings, and whose word was his bond. He leaves a widow to mourn her loss. The funeral took place at the Arrow Cemetery, the service at the grave being conducted by the Rev. Father O’Donnell.—R.l.P. MR. J. P. BEIRNE, WELLINGTON. News has been received in Greymouth (says a local paper) of the death of Mr. J. P. Beirne, landlord of the Metropolitan Hotel, Wellington, who was for about fifteen years in the employ of the Westport Coal Company at Denniston, where he took over the Royal Hotel after leaving the company’s service. He later on resided at Greymouth, Blenheim, Picton, 'and Nelson, eventually removing to Wellington. The late Mr! Beirne, who was born at German Gully, Waimea, 44 years ago, leaves a widow, two sons, and a daughter, who will have the sympathy of a large number of people on the Coast. Deceased’s' eldest son is a commissioned officer at Trentham, awaiting orders for the front. The eldest brother, of the deceased resides in Westport. Two other brothers and two sisters reside at Greymouth, two brothers arc in Blenheim, a sister in Wellington, and a sister in Wanganui. This is the third death in the family during the past two years ; the father and mother died at Greymouth within- ,that period. During his residence in Greymouth, the late Mr. Beirne was a member of the Greymouth Borough Council and the Fire Brigade.—R.l.P. °