OBITUARY

New Zealand Tablet, 5 August 1920, Page 35

OBITUARY

MR. J. C. McKILLOP, MASTERTON. The death occurred on Saturday evening, July 24, in a private hospital in Wellington, of Mr. J. C. McKillop, a well-known and highly-respected settler of Masterton. Deceased had been in poor health for some considerable time past, but it was not until he went to Wellington two or three weeks ago as a delegate to the Council of Agriculture that serious symptoms presented themselves. He was removed to a private hospital, where it was found that he was suffering from Bright’s disease, congestion of the lungs, and other complications. Under the best of nursing and medical attention he rallied for a few days, but on Friday, July 23, he took another serious turn, which ended fatally. Deceased, who was 46 years of age, was the only son of the late Mr. Charles McKillop and Mrs. McKillop. He was born in Masterton, and was educated at the local State school, St. Patrick’s School, and at St. Patrick’s College. He took up the Puketiri estate at Stronvar some years ago. He recently purchased from the estate of his late father the Goodlands farm at Te Ore Ore. He was a successful breeder of sheep and cattle, and in recent years had established a very fine herd of Hereford cattle. Tie was a prominent member of the Farmers’ Union and of the Masterton A. and P. Association and was vice-president of the latter at the time of his death. He showed marked ability as chairman on those occasions on which he presided at the A. and P. Association’s meetings. The late Mr. McKillop was for years an officer of the Territorial forces, and was Captain of the Mounted Rifles. He served in the S. African War in 1898. He left for the late war as Major in charge of the 33rd Reinforcements, and went into action, being wounded and gassed. He had never properly recovered from the injuries received in the war. In his younger days deceased was a prominent footballer, being a member of the Red Star Club and a Wairarapa representative for many years. He was married just prior to his return to New Zealand about 12 months ago, and is survived by a widow and an infant daughter, who will have the sympathy of the whole community in their sad bereavement. His lather died seven years ago, and his mother a year or two back. He has two sisters—Mrs. George Dennis and Miss Maggie McKillop— Mrs. John Montgomery, of Masterton, is his aunt. The remains were brought to Masterton, and placed in St. Patrick’s Church. _ , he high esteem in which the late Mr. J. C. Mcr 1 ™ as beld throughout the Wairarapa was demonstrated by the very large number of people who paid a last tribute to his memory on Tuesday morning, July , 7 ‘. j Q ° lock . a Solemn Requiem Mass was celerated at St. Patrick’s Church, which was crowded to the doors. Right Rev. Mgr. McKenna, V.G. presided, and was assisted by the following priests: Celebrant, Father Connolly, Kilbirnie ; deacon, Father Phelan, Carterton; subdeacon, Father Murphy, Wellington; master of ceremonies, Father Broughton Mastown- ; choir: Very Rev. Dean T. McKenna Newtown; Very Rev. Father Whelan CSS R Wellinvton ; Father % C i S - W Sggn, Father^Bo we, Wellington; Father M. Devoy, Island Bav • Fatbpr NS’lsTtfS 1 - 1 d th / Kennedy, Palmersto , I mu a^-^ 1 OMtnm, St. Patrick’s College WellingMrs. A E . Emmy 11 " 1 '' 11 " ™ P ‘ ay<sd « tie organ by , The funeral cortege left the. church for the Master abou Tengri 11 w-‘ The hearse Was preceded by Silver Bmid tbo° r i ia ff U “ lfori ?) and the Municipal r" b // - th a ter I la y in g tlle “Garland of FlowtV wl- impressive manner. Immediately following 1,,r0 x p aL vv ' er wle relatives of the decent ..pi and eS veterans a °°C deraMe nUmber f of returned soldiers practically every local body In tie district

sented. The funeral concourse was one of the largest ever seen in the Wairarapa, settlers being present from Featherston, Greytown, Carterton, Tinui, and the whole of the surrounding country. The mercantile and business houses were also strongly represented. The pall-bearers were Brigadier-General Hart, C.M.G., and Messrs. H. M. Boddington, R. A. Cameron, H. H. Donald, J. H. Naylor, and J. Speedy, all of whom had seen service in South Africa with the deceased. There were thousands of people at the graveside, and the full Catholic funeral ceremony was conducted by the Right Rev. Mgr. McKenna, assisted by visiting priests. At the conclusion of the obsequies a squad of Territorials fired three volleys, the “Last Post” was sounded by a bugler, and there was laid to rest a veteran soldier, a respected settler, and a generous friend. The late Mr. McKillop was a model Catholic, and besides many benefactions to' the works of the Church during his life, has left £SOOO to be invested and the revenue devoted to the maintenance and support of St. Patrick’s School, Masterton. Before leaving for the Front he made a gift of £SOO to the Archbishop of Wellington to be invested and the proceeds devoted to the education of secular priests for the archdiocese. —R.I.P.