CITY FATALITY.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1604, 22 November 1912, Page 4

CITY FATALITY.

j, . THE REV. FATHER C. J; VENNINfI KILLED. MOTOR CYCLE ACCIDENT. A fatality which will cause widespread regret occurred in the city yesterday evening. Tho victim was the Kcvcrend father C. J. Venning, ti.il. At a quarter-past five yesterday afternoon leather Venning was riding his motor bicycle, and when turning the corner of liilj Street and Uuiliord lerrace he- seemed to lose control of the machine, which then dashed into a. ience. The l-ecoil threw him oil the bicycle, and he became entangled in the machine. It was at once .clear that Father Venning was very seriously injured, and when meaical uid was procured it was found that ho had sustained, conoussion of the brain and fracture of the skull, lie was attcnaed to in the Hill Street Presbytery by Doctors Pattio and Martin. The accident was witnessed' hy Mr. W. G. ltiduell, S.M., and Mrs. Eiddell, who. were passing along Hill Street at the time. Father Venning regained partial consciousness while the last rites of tho Church were being administered, but he died at ten minutes to ten. Tho deceased priost was born in Timaru in 1879, and was a son of Mr. John. Venning of that town. He studied at St. Patrick's College, Wellington, and St. Mary's, Meanee, Hawke's Bay. He was on tho St. Patrick's College teaching staff for some time, and in 1903 he. was ordained. He spent the whole of his priesthood in Wellington, working in the Buckle Street, Boulcott Street, and Hill Street parishes. For 6evon years he was stationed at Boulcott Street, and at tho beginning of this year ha was transferred- to Hill Street. He displayed great ability, energy, and enthusiasln in tho interests of tho Eoman Catholic ChuTch, and he paid special attention to furthering the objects of the St. Vincent do Paul Society. He also interested himself greatly in mission work. His loss is regarded as a very serious one to the Church in the city. Father Venning had an attractive personality, and was very highly respected. Among the Eoman Catholic laity ho was exceptionally popular. One of his chief characteristics was hi 9 earnestness, and with it he had a bright, cheery manner that won for him the good will of all with whom he came in contact.