OBITUARY

New Zealand Tablet, 17 January 1918, Page 38

OBITUARY

MR. PATRICK JOHN HURLEY, TAIHAPE. The death is recorded of a much-respected resident of Taihape, in the person of Mr. Patrick ’John Hurley, at the age of 41 years. The deceased was born at Russian, County Kerry, Ireland, and came to New Zealand 17 years ago. He married 13 years ago Miss Ward, ; second daughter of the late Thomas Ward, Wairarapa, and nine years ago entered upon farming in the Taihape district. Esteemed by all who knew him, he was an exemplary Catholic, and his straightforward and kindly disposition endeared him to all. The late Mr. Hurley leaves a widow and four young children to mourn the loss of a loving husband and father.—

MR. THOMAS McGRATH, INVERCARGILL. . It is with extreme regret (writes our own correspondent) that I have to record the death of Mr. Thomas McGrath, which took place at his residence, Spey Street, Invercargill, on Saturday evening, January 5, at the age of 63 years. The deceased was one of the best-known parishioners of the south, where he had resided for over forty years. He came to Dunedin as a boy with his parents, and shortly afterwards removed to Invercargill. For many years he was manager of Messrs. Roope and Co.’s brewery in Mary Street, a position he relinquished some two years ago on account of failing health. Right throughout his long residence here he took the keenest interest in everything Irish and Catholic, and was closely associated with the growth of the Invercargill parish. For many years he was president of the Athletic Football Club,

- and he ; was one of ‘ the original members ‘of - the Irish Athletic Society, being the first and one of three lifemembers of that body. He was also an original member of the local 1 branch of -the Hibernian Society, and was a past president. It is safe to say that there was no more enthusiastic Hibernian in the Dominion ; than the deceased brother, and his memory will long be cherished by his associates. He had a genial and kindly disposition, which the sufferings of a prolonged illness did not abate. ’ Although his death was not unexpected, the end came suddenly and he passed peacefully away after having the consolation of receiving the last rites of Holy Church. He was constantly visited during his illness by the Very Rev: Dean Burke, V.F., and Rev. Father Woods. He leaves a widow and seven children to mourn their loss, the children being Messrs. John and James McGrath, of Wanganui, Thomas McGrath, of Parnassus; Joseph McGrath, with the Forces in Mesopotamia : Francis McGrath, Miss Eileen McGrath, and Mrs. T. Pound, of Invercargill. The sincerest sympathy of a very wide circle of friends is extended to the bereaved ones. . His passing will bo regretted by many who will long remember him as an excellent father, a true Irishman and Catholic, and a genial and generous soul.—R.l.P.

MRS. A. H. KITCHING, HATAITAI. The many friends of Mr. A. 11. Kitching, • of Messrs. Bannatyne and Co.’s shipping department, Wellington, heard with regret of the death of his wife, which took place at the family residence, Overton Terrace, Hataitai, on December 31. The deceased lady, who was a native of Lyttelton and 32 years of age, was the sixth daughter of the late Captain Patrick O’Brien, for many years a shipmaster at that port, and