THE LATE FATHER FITZGIBBON

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3676, 11 August 1927, Page 2

THE LATE FATHER FITZGIBBON

IMPRESSIVE OBSEQUIES AT ELTHAM. The funeral of the Jate Father Maurice Fitzgibbon took place at Elfcham last Thursday and was the occasion for a notable expression by clergy and people of the sympathy and sorrow that his tragic death had engendered. The gathering of clergy was a very large one, from all parts of Wellington Archdiocese and further afield. Vespers were sung by the assembled priests on Wednesday and on Thursday morning solemn Requiem Mass was sung, the celebrant being the Rev. Father Eccleton (Te Kuiti), a cousin of the deceased. Father A. Cullen, S.M. (Christchurch) acted as deacon, Father Hegarty (Carterton) as subdeaeon, and Father McDermott (Foxton) as M.C. Archbishop T. O’Shea was also present and pronounced a touching panegyric upon the departed priest. He touched upon the outstanding features of his life, speaking of his decision to come to New Zealand as a missionary priest, leaving all the ties he held dear in his home-land, and all the sacrifices entailed therein. The Archbishop referred to the various positions Father Fitzgibbon had held in the Arch-diocese —at Lower Hutt, Newton and Levin, whence at his own request he was transferred to Eltham because he felt that in his impaired state of health' the administration of the parish was too much for him. Wherever he had worked he had left a worthy priestly example behind him and was respected and loved by his parishioners. Last year he had been home to see his mother in Ireland and he returned only to enter the Lewisham Hospital in 'Christchurch, where he underwent a serious operation, which was followed by double pneumonia, and it was during the convalescence following upon that illness that he had sought to be relieved of the full charge of a parish. The Archbishop mentioned that he had received a letter from Father Fitzgibbon, after the latter’s arrival in Eltham, in which he expressed relief at being free from full parochial responsibilities, and spoke cheerfully of his future work, looking forward to a period of useful service at Eltham. After the requiem mass, the interment took place, the funeral procession being one of the longest seen in Eltham for many years. Former parishioners were present from Levin and friends of the late Father Fitzgibbon came from many quarters. The burial rites were performed by Father Eccleton. In addition to the clergy already mentioned, the following were present: Monsignor Power (Hawera), Father Robinson, C.S.S.R., (Superior of the Redemptorists, Wellington), and Fathers McManus (Pal-

merston North), Cahill (Stratford)) Doolaghty (Taihape), Forrestal (Inglewood),, Harnett (Feilding), Moore (Eltham), Sweeney (Opunake), Lynch (Patea), Vibaud (Wanganui), Mepard (Otaki), Griffin (Johnsonville), Kaveney (Wellington), Devlin (Takapau), Dwyer (Manaia), Venning, S.M. (Jerusalem), Minogue and Breen (New Plymouth), Uleaborg (Masterton), Doherty (Eketahuna), and Cashman (Pahiatua). EVIDENCE AT THE INQUEST. The inquest concerning the death of Father Maurice John Fitzgibbon, was conducted at the Eltham Magistrate’s. Court on the Wednesday. Mr. J. W. 'Stubbs was the ActingCoroner.

Father Nicholas Moore, Eltham parish priest said he knew deceased very well. He was recently transferred from Levin. Deceased arrived in Eltham from Eketahuna bylast Thursday week’s mail train. He had recently been an inmate of the Lewisham Hospital, Christchurch, for six months. He had been suffering from peritonitis and later from double pneumonia. He had been very ill indeed, and his life had been despaired of. On his arrival in Eltham, he was still in very poor health. He had been transferred to Eltham on account of his ill-health, and he was in rather a depressed state on that account. His depression was more physical than mental, and his only thoughts [were whether he could carry on the work of the parish. He never suggested or implied at any time that he contemplated committing suicide. He had conducted the Devotions at the church on Sunday evening. After the service Father Moore and deceased left the church. This was at about half-past seven o’clock. Deceased seemed to be in good spirits, and witness had suggested that they take a walk, deceased replying affirmatively. Witness had some books for the Convent and asked deceased to accompany him, but he said that he would wait for witness. Witness stated in the Convent longer than he intended to, about twenty minutes or half an hour, not having taken much notice of the time. When he came out from the Convent deceased was gone. Witness presumed that deceased would have gone to the Presbytery. Witness sat up waiting for him and at about eleven o’clock he went to the church to look for him, but could not find him. Next morning he instituted inquiries, thinking Father Fitzgibbon might have gone by car elsewhere. Search parties were out all Monday and Tuesday looking for him. He identified the body at the morgue on Tuesday. It was fully dressed in the clothes and overcoat deceased was wearing on Sunday night. He was about 34 years old, and had been in the priesthood for eight or ten years. To the acting-Coroner: ""It was an unfortunate circumstance that he went for a walk unaccompanied and continued’ to walk down a road he did not know. He would have no idea that there was a river there. Evidence was given by T. M. Micholick, T. Hammerslay and Constable Townsend as to the recovery of the body. ACCIDENTAL DEATH. “There is no doubt that deceased came to his death by accident and hot by anything else,” said the Act-ing-Coroner on addressing the Jury, “and there is nothing that should give you any difficulty.” The Jury retired for ten minutes and returned the following verdict:— A “That the deceased met his death by drowning,-obviously due to accidentally falling over a high cliff into the river .near the end of George" Street.”