Death of Mr M. O'Haire.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2166, 13 December 1875, Page 2

Death of Mr M. O'Haire.

Mr Michael O'Haire died at the Thames Hospital yesterday morning of inflammation of the lungs, at the comparatively early age of 38. His death will be learned with regret by all who have known the deceased, for those who knew him could not but respect him for his sterling honesty, and manly independence of character. Mr O'Haire had been ill but little over a week, although for some time he has not enjoyed robust health; the hardships and exposure incurred during 20 years of a miner's life told upon his constitution. Michael O'Haire was essentially a representative man, and wherever he resided for any time there he entered upon and assumed a fair share of the active duties of citizenship apart from bis avocation as a miner. He arrived in Victoria from America (whither he had gone at an early age) in 1855, and at once entered'upon mining pursuits, identifying himself with the miners' interests in all political questions, in the course of which he became a member of the Land Convention, which, under the Presidency of the late Wilson Grey, became a powerful organization and was ultimately the means of breaking down the monopoly enjoyed by the squatters, and ot introducing the first liberal land law in Victoria. Some time after this Mr O'Haire went to New South Wales, and, in the interests of the miners, contested the seat for Braidwood in the Legislative Assembly with Mr Josephson. Mr O'Haire was defeated by a small majority, but it was believed that the majority had been gained by his opponent by illegal means. Mr O'Haire soon after this came to the West Coast diggings, and from thence to the Thames in 1868, where he has remained ever since. During the early days of this district, when large public meetings were frequently held, Mr O'Haire was often seen taking part, sometimes as chairman —more often as a forcible but temperate speaker. When the present Education Act was brought into operation he became a member of the Waiotahi District Committee, in .which position he has acted ever since. At the last Provincial Council general election, Mr O'Haire was a candidate, but was defeated by a small majority. Michael O'Haire was a native of Ireland, having been born at Ennis, County Clare. He was a man of great integrity, strictly honest in principles, and consistent to a fault. He was a careful student of men and things, and having formed convictions he vindicated them with zeal and courage. He was thoroughly conscientious in all his actions, and whatever he did he did from a sense that it was just and right. Ho will be regretted by many friends in the Australian colonies as well as in New Zealand. As we go to press the funeral cortege of the deceased is passing, and the number and standing of the persons in the large procession may be taken as an indication of the respect and esteem in which Michael O'Haire was held while living.