OBITUARY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 2188, 12 October 1920, Page 2

OBITUARY.

P. J. HENNESSY, M.P.. AGED (53.

ft is with feelings of deep regret Ilia! we chronicle the death of Mr P. ,i, Hennessy, J.P., and chairman of the Pox lon Harbour Board, which took place at Chicago, P.S.A., on Friday last:, as ihe result of Mr Hennessy left New Zealand accompanied ,by bis daughter on a trip to the Old Country lo visit h : s jwo sons JO is. \\ m. and -las. Hcniussy. and on his return to , vPil his two brothers at Chicago. - It is surmised that tin attack of pneumonia followed a cold contracted on the voyage to America. He hoped lo arrive back in New Zealand in December. Much sympathy will go out to the family m their bereavement under such circumstances and particularly lo Miss llennessy in the trying ordeal thro-* ugh which she is passing. Mr Hennessy was born in Michelstown, County Cork, in 1857 or ’SB, and came to New Zealand as it young man taking up his residence in this district. He look any work offering until the opportunity came to start in business as a general storekeeper. By his energy and business acumen and straight dealing he soon established a lucrative connection. He also extended his aelivites to the hemp industry and farming. Apart: fK»m (he commercial side, Mr llennessy look an active interest, in public affairs. He served on the Council both as Councillor and Mayor, and was for many years a member of the School Committee and Chamber of Commerce He wa.s a loyal and active member of his church, with which lie was actively connected until his death. His work in connection with tile resuscitation of the Poxton Harbour Board and bis strenuous battle for the acquisition of the wharf and the formation of a rating district needs no recapitulation except to say that ihe whole district is his debtor in this connection. He was chairman of the Board up to the time of his death. He had no time for camouflage or humbug in public men or a ffa irs, and did not seek schemes for other people to carry out. He had a true conception of citizenship and stood alone, at times, by his conviction.-,, and played his pari manfully. A few years ago he took up his residence in Shannon, where lie purchased a dairy farm-Amd was actively connected with the Shannon Co-operative Dairy Co. His wife predeceased him at Poxton about 17 years ago.

The family will lose a devoted father, and those who knew him best a loyal friend. His was a full life in the truest sense. In common with the general public we mourn the loss and pay tribute to the memory of a sterling citizen. Peace to his ashes.