OBITUARY

New Zealand Tablet, 8 February 1917, Page 42

OBITUARY

MR. BENJAMIN JOSEPH HART, WETHERSTONES. We deeply regret to ,’ announce the death of v Mr. Benjamin Joseph Hart, Wetherstohes, ; Lawrence, one of the pioneers of Tuapeka district, : and a generous benefactor of the Church. Death came very peacefully on • Thursday morning, February 1, in the presence of most of the. members of his family, after an illness of some months borne with wonderful brightness and patience. His last days were cheered by the visits of all his , sons and daughters, and of numerous friends, including his highly esteemed friend, the late Monsignor O’Leary, himself at the time in failing health. Rev. Father Kjaveney, of Lawrence, attended him frequently and gave him the last Sacraments of the Church. Mr. Hart was a convert of some fifty years standing, his conversion being due to the prayers and example of his devout wife, who died nineteen months ago. He was ever remarkable for his exemplary Catholic life and large generosity in every good work of religion and charity. The Church in Lawrence and all the Catholic institutions of his parish, St. Vincent de Paul Orphanage, South Dunedin, and many other Catholic institutions owe much to his liberality. A few years ago he purchased a large property (estimated to be worth £2000) on Pine Hill, Dunedin, and presented it to the Dominican Nuns, of which Order his daughter is a member. Mr. Hart (says the Tuapeka Times) was born in Tasmania 84 years ago, and came of a good old English stock of the Jewish race, from whom no doubt he inherited that shrewdness and level-headedness which characterised his dealings with his fellow-men. As a young man he migrated to Victoria and, following the occupation of mining with its many excitements and vicissitudes, visited most of the goldfields that sprang up day by day. Here he married, and found in his Irish wife a devoted life-partner. He came to New Zealand early in 1862 and proceeded direct to Wetherstones, Lawrence, where he had since resided. For many years after his arrival in the Colony he followed up his old occupation as a miner, and then in 1884, in partnership with Mr. J. K. Simpson, bought out the Black Horse Brewery. He always maintained his interest in mining matters, floating several successful dredging companies in and about Lawrence, and being chairman of directors of most of these mining ventures. Quite recently he took a prominent part in the purchase and working of the Blue Spur Consolidated Company’s claim, being a director up to the time of his death. In gll business matters he was a man of exceptionally sound judgment, keenness, punctuality, and it was always said of him that his word was as good as his bond. Outside business he was a keen lover I and promoter of horse-racing and athletics, an ardent poultry fancier, and perhaps the most successful culti- | vator of daffodils in New Zealand. The following children are left to mourn the loss of a devoted father; Mr. Henry Hart (manager Simpson and Hart, Ltd.), Lawrence; Mr. Edward Hart, Waverley, Taranaki; Mr. Albert Hart, Lawrence; Mr. Fred Hart (chief clerk, Supreme Court, Wanganui, 1 now on active service) ; Mr. Ernest Hark, Lawrence ; I Mrs. Rattray, Melbourne; Mrs. Ronald Montgomery, I Lawrence; Sister M. Xavier, Dominican Convent ; Misses Ethel and Eva Hart, Wetherstones. I The funeral took place from the Lawrence Church I on Saturday afternoon, and was attended by a very 1 large number of old friends from near and far. Rev. I Father Kaveney, of Lawrence, officiated at the grave--1 side. Rev. Fathers Howard (Milton) Corcoran (RoxI burgh), and Liston (Holy Cross College) were also I present. —R.I.P. ■-