Obituary

New Zealand Tablet, Volume L, Issue 14, 5 April 1923, Page 17

Obituary

MISS ETHEL- CASEY, LOWER HUTT. The many friends of Miss Ethel Casey, third daughter of Mr. P. Casey, Waterloo Road, Lower Hutt, will regret to hear of her death, which occurred on March 2. Deceased, who had only reached her 37th year of age, was born at Wellington. During the days of her health the late Miss Casey took an active part in matters relating to church and social affairs, and her loss was keenly felt by those who were associated with her. The funeral was largely attended by friends and relatives, among those present being the Mayor of Lower Hutt (Mr. W. T. Strand). Very Rev. Dean Lane, assisted by Rev. Fathers Connolly and Walsh officiated at the church and graveside.—R.l.P. MR. F. K. REEVES, WELLINGTON. Mr. P. K. Reeves, at one time president of the New Zealand Catholic Federation, and for a number of years a member of the Catholic education board died recently (writes our Wellington correspondent). The deceased was a well known journalist, being for many years on the staff of the Evening Post as Parliamentary reporter. He loaves a wife and large family to whom the sympathy of a wide circle of friends is extended. The funeral left the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Thornclon, where Requiem Mass was celebrated for the repose of his soul.—R.l.P. CAPTAIN T. J. DAVIS, WELLINGTON. The death occurred at his residence, Nairn Street, Wellington, recently, of Captain Thomas Joseph Davis, who was for many years in the Treasury Department, and who was particularly well known in military circles throughout the Dominion. The late Captain Davis was the son of a "soldier who served in the Maori War. He was born at Wellington Barracks seventy-one years ago, and he had been connected with the military forces of the Dominion since he was eleven years old. When a boy he desired to serve as a drummer in the Maori War, but his age went against him. He was one of the original members of the Wellington City Volunteer Rifles, and quickly rose, to the rank of color-sergeant. He repeatedly declined higher' -promotion, and was content to be in a position where he could coach his squad in rifle-shooting, rifle exercises, and

physical drill. He was able to impart to those under him a measure of his own. enthusiasm, with the result that his teams became almost unbeatable in military exercises, and on more than one occasion defeated the Royal Marines. When the Volunteers were abandoned, ho expressed a desire to retire, but was induced to accept the rank of honorary captain and quartermaster to the sth Wellington Regiment, now. known as the Ist Battalion, Wellington Regiment. He served in that capacity for several years, and when war broke out he was made adjutant of the sth Wellington Regiment, and agreed to act without remuneration. For many years he had been a prominent member of the Dominion Rifle Association, and had the honor of acting as camp quartermaster at the first meeting held by the newlyformed National Association, which concluded at Trentham a week ago. The late Captain Davis was educated at Marist schools in Wellington, and had lived in this city all his life. On leaving school he entered the Treasury Department, and maintained . his connection with that branch of the Civil Service until ten years ago, when he retired. He leaves a widow, a married daughter (Mrs. H. J. D. Sheldon, Sutherlands, Canterbury), four single daughters, who reside at home, and a son, Mr. Jack Davis, of the Wairafapa. His youngest son served at Gallipoli, but died during the influenza epidemic, just after his return to New Zealand. The funeral left St. Mary of the Angels' Church, where Requiem Mass was celebrated. —R.I.P.