Obituary

New Zealand Tablet, Volume L, Issue 50, 20 December 1923, Page 51

Obituary

MR. JOHN CHARLES, GERALDINE. Another of the pioneers of the Geraldine district in the person of Mr. John Charles, passed away on November 9, in his 87th year (writes a correspondent). The late Mr. Charles was born in Co. Mayo, Ireland, and came to New Zealand in 1862. He followed farming pursuits until 12 years ago, after which he lived a retired life at Geraldine. The deceased was of a quiet and unassuming nature, and strictly adhered to the practice of his religion. Attended by Rev. Father O’Connor he died fortified by the last rites of Holy Church. The late Air. Charles is survived by five sons, all of whom arc faming in the Geraldine district. Rev. Father O’Connor officiated at the interment. —R.I.P. MR. JAMES MURPHY, DUNEDIN. With regret the death is recorded of Mr. James Murphy, proprietor of the Criterion Hotel, Dunedin, who passed away on the 26th nit., after a somewhat lengthy illness. Mr. Murphy, who was a son of the late Henry and Elizabeth Murphy, of Croughten Clough, Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny, Ireland, was born in 1879, and arrived in New Zealand about 24 years ago. Soon after his marriage in Dunedin he entered the business of hotelkeeping, and for four years successfully conducted the Kensington Hotel. He then took over the Criterion Hotel, which ho made one of the leading hostelrics in the city. Always a fervent. Catholic and staunch Nationalist his support to religion and to his native land was generous and consistent. He was attended during his illness by Rev. Father Foley, Adm., and died fortified by the last sacred rites of Holy Church. The late Air. Murphy leaves his widow, a sister recently arrived from the Old Land, and a brother resident at Kurow, to mourn their loss. The funeral took place on Wedensday, the 28th ult., Requiem Mass for the repose of his soul being celebrated at St. Joseph’s Cathedral by Father Foley, who also officiated at the interment in the Southern Cemetery. — R.I.P. AIRS. MARY SMALL, WINTON. Deep regret was expressed when it became known that Mrs. Mary Small, wife of Air. Michael Small. Great North Road, Winton, had passed 'peacefully away on November 30, after a. short illness. The deceased lady, whose maiden name was Mary Cosgrove, was a native of Foildarig, Co. Tipperary, Ireland. Arriving in New Zealand some 46 years ago, she was shortly after married at Riverton, and took up her residence at Winton, where she had resided up to the time of her demise. The late Mrs. Small was distinguished for her intense faith. No member of St. Thomas’s Church was more assiduous in attending Mass, and none more unremitting than she in the rigorous and absolute fulfilment of all the duties of a devout Catholic. She was attended during her short illness by the Rev. Father Ardagh, and was also visited by the Sisters of Mercy. Although quiet and retiring, . she unobtrusively performed many charitable acts which will long be remembered by those who sought her help and kindness. Much sympathy prevails for an affectionate husband and family of five who are left to mourn their loss. The funeral, which was one of the lergest seen in the Winton district, took place on Sunday, the 2nd inst., Rev. Father Ardagh officiating.— R.I.P. MRS. ELLEN CASSELS, SOUTH DUNEDIN. The death occurred on the 3rd inst., at, her residence. South Dunedin, at the ago of 82 years, of Mrs. Ellen Cassels. The deceased was horn in Mitchelstown, Co N Cork, Ireland, and on coming to Australia was married at St, Francis’s Church, Melbourne, in 1863. Arriving in New Zealand shortly afterwards with her husband (who served in the police force, under the late St. John Brannigan during the rush to the goldfields of Central Otago) and made their first home at Clyde. The late Mrs. Cassels reared a family of three sons and three daughters, of whom two sons — Superintendent Cassels (Christchurch), and Mr. William Cassels (Hawea Flat, Central Otago), and two daughters, Mrs. Strachan (Christchurch) and Aliss Cassels (South Dunedin), are left to mourn their loss. A daughter (Airs. Anderson, Sefton) and a son (Air. Bryan Cassels, Ashbur-

ton), predeceased her. The late Mrs. Cassels was a fine type of the early colonist, and endured uncomplainingly all the vicissitudes and hardship of the pioneering days. Ever of a kindly and generous nature her many acts of hospitality are well remembered. She was attended by Rev. Father Delauy during her final illness, and passed away fortified by the last secred rites of Holy Church. The interment took place in the Southern Cemetery, Father Delany officiating at the graveside.—R.l.P. AIRS. MARY CROWLEY, WANGANUI. By the death of Airs. Alary Crowley, wife of Air. John Crowley, who passed away on November 24, Wanganui loses one of its oldest and most respected citizens, one of the grand old type now too fast disappearing (writes a correspondent). Born in Bantry, Co. Cork, Ireland, Airs. Crowley, in company with her sister, the late Mrs. J. O’Leary, landed in New Zealand in 1874, coming straight to Wanganui where she had resided for almost half a century; thus seeing the town grow from a village to almost a city, the last 22 years being spent on the farm at Kukutu. Of a quiet and retiring disposition, she nevertheless gathered round her a host of friends, who learned to love her for her Stirling qualities and open-hearted hospitality. Apart from her personal charm, her overwhelming desire to help everyone endeared her to friend and stranger alike, and few, if any, ever forgot the quiet, generous woman who extended the hand of welcome to all, and from whose door the needy never turned empty-handed. For the past two years Airs. Crowley had been in failing health, during which time she had been faithfully attended by Rev. Father Outtrim, who administered the last sacraments shortly before her death. A large funeral cortege left her residence for St. Alary’s Church, where Requiem Alass was celebrated by Rev. Father Alahony, and thence to the Catholic cemetery; Rev. Father Outtrim conducting the last sad rites H the graveside. The late Airs. Crowley is survived by her husband, two sons, and three daughters, to whom sincere sympathy is extended in the loss of one whom to know was to love. —R.I.P. Christmas Gives The True Peace Twenty centuries ago this world, worn and saddened with strife and wearied with the burden of greed and conquest, lay prostrate and disappointed at the feet of her pagan gods. Warlike and powerful nations had tasted of the cup of victory and drained the dregs of slavery and barbarity. Wise in the wisdom of the world, proud nations glorified in their false doctrines. But vain was the promise of the warrior and philosopher. There was yet unsatisfied a craving in the sold of man. The world had forsaken God, but God would not forsake the world. Out of the darkness of death the light of peace shone upon Bethlehem, and the hills and valleys resounded with the song of an angel choir —“Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to men of good will.” It was Christ’s first message to man, a message of peace and true happiness. Alen of good will hearkened to that message with gladness, and kneeling in adoration of their King were filled with the peace that surpasseth all understanding. The world needed the peace of Christ then. It needs the peace of Christ to-day. Discontent and domestic strife are rampant in almost every land. Wars and rumors of wars have inflamed the nations with hatred and God is cast aside in their councils. Alan is crying for peace, hut he is seeking it in the material things of this life and in the false principles of a barren materialism, which cannot satisfy the spiritual hunger of the soul. It was for man that Chrst was born. Alan was created to know God, to love Him and to serve Him. Until the truth and the principles of the Kingdom of God are recognised and enthroned in the human heart there can be no peace, for there is no true peace save the peace of Christmas, promised only to men and nations of good will.

Catholic Reading During your Sunday leisure you will find in the Tablet the answers to questions that cropped up through the week. It will give you articles on education, on the progress of the Church, on social problems, on Irish affairs, as well as good stories, good poetry, and good “smile-raisers,”