AMAZING COINCIDENCE

Hokitika Guardian, 12 January 1926, Page 3

AMAZING COINCIDENCE

ALMOST A DUAL CAREER. WELLINGTON, Jan. 9. Owing to what might almost be descrilieil as a. dual identity, the name of Mr Patrick Galvin, of Evans Ray road, Hataitai, has been confused with that of Air Patrick Galvin, of Wellington, whose death occurred in the city earlier in the week.

The careers of the two gentlemen were so similar in many respects that it is not difficult to appreciate how the confusion arose. One is 80 years of age, the other was 83. Both left Ireland at an early age in their lives anil struck out for fortune on the Australian goldfields. When the Otago gold rush occurred each of them came to New Zealand approximately about the same period. The slight differences in the circumstances are that Mr Patrick Galvin, of Hataitai, followed a journalistic career, while Mr Patrick Galvin, just deceased, smarted a coach service on the Grov-moutli-Reolton route. Upon retirement lie came to reside in Wellington nearly five years ago. The former Mr Galvin, after varied journalistic experience, also settled down in Wellington. The deceased Mr Galvin had one son and two daughters. Ale P. Galvin, of Hataitai. had two sons and one daughter, and while he left Ireland at the ago of 20 years, the other was a good deal younger when he crossed the seas with his people. It was not a wraith but the living Mr Patrick Galvin who walked into the “Times” office and explained how the confusion had arisen. Owing to the extraordinary similarity in their lives, he said, he had not taken the matter seriously, only his daughter had received some letters and telegrams of conI dole nee to which he was going to reply. “Simplv say that l am in fairly good health and'still carrying my bat. and hope to make a century. ’ Air Galvin added that there was still another Afr Patrick Galvin, his first 1 i cousin, who lives on the West- Coast, • anil is 96 years of age.