FUNERAL OF THE LATE MR JOHN SHEEHAN.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 2020, 18 June 1885, Page 3

FUNERAL OF THE LATE MR JOHN SHEEHAN.

We are indebted to the Auckland Star, of Tuesday, for the following account of the funeral of the late Mi Sheehan .-- As i\e anticipated yesterday, the Government steamer Hineinoa, beating the body of the late Mr J. Sheehan, and having some of his mourning lelativos as passengers made the harbour about eight o'clock this morning, and at HAiO came alongside the wharf, upon which a considerable numbei of people had aheady assembled, and where nlho the hearse and seveial cabs were drawn up. As the vessel ran into her berth the cofhn mi perceived renting upon the forehatch. It wa-, heavily mounted with burm-hed biass, and the hd was profusely covered with choice flowers, .mud which a floial cross and gailand were conspicuous. As soon as the steamer had been made fa-t the corhn was removed, undei Captain Fairchild's directions to the and the following ladies and gentlewho came up from Napier in the entered the waiting carnages, B^which then foimed into puKv-Monal order the hearse, \i/., Mr-. Sheehan, Miss Sheehan, Mr ,uid Mis <). 13. Giahom, Hon. J. N. Wilson, Mr and Mis Knight, Mr Sheirin, Mr Mcllhone, and Mr Garhck Seats weie also piovidedin the carnages for «i number of relatives vv ho had awaited the ainval of the steamer, vi/. : Mis-. Kate Sheehan, Mr W. I*. Shuehan (deceased's brothei), Mr Geo. Young (father m-law), Mi C. E. Dodd (uncle), Mr H. Dodd (cousin), Mi Jack. -><>n P timer (wife's relative), and Mr J. Reilly, The coitege then set off for St. l'atuck's Cathedial, a number of mourneis following on foot. At the Cathedral door the coffin was received by the Veiy Rev. Father Walter Macdonald, assisted by Father Tuckwell, the Very Rev. Fatbits O'Sulli\,u\ and Downey, 0.5.8., and the Rev. Father Lemhan being «iNo pie~ent. The cofhn was placed upon a cntafalquo murouuded by lighted wa\ tapeis at the innei cntiance of the chapel, and a portion of the prescribed ritual for the obsequie* was then gone through. Throughout the forenoon ladies and gentlemen were constantly dioppmg in to pray for the repo-p of the soul of the deceased, the cothn of coiu>e lemaining all the time on the catafalque. It was laden with wreaths and crosses of flowers, amid which Mr Sheehau's favouute flowei — the white bloom of the ti-tiee — wa.s conspicuous. A lai n 'e floral eros, specially prepared by the Misses Claia and Maiy Tole atti acted particular notice. It was artistically composed of white rose-, and c.imehas, daphnes, azalias, and ti-tiee, ■while the verdure of ferns and cypress contracted prettily with the predominant white Othei crosses had been sent by Mis Sheehan, Mis J. B. Graham, and Miss Kate Sheehan. A ma->s for the repose of the soul of the deceased gentluman w.vs .said in the Cathedial at (5.30 this nioining by Father Tuckwell, and another wa,s said at 7 o'clock by Father Lenihan, while at 7.30 the Very Rev. Father Walter M.icdonald celebrated the Requiem Mass which was announced on Sunday last. The mtMiiheis of the family and their intimate friends were present. Dining the day the executors, Messrs Peter Dignan and John King, were engaged in supervising the ariangements for the funeral, and to them came numerous messages of condolence for Mis Sheehan, as well as official communications. Mr Fit/gibbou Louch, C.K. of the Public Works Depaitment, picented the following telegram which he had lecened :— " You are appointed to represent the di->ti ict of Taur.inga at Mi Shpehnn's funeral. This is yom official authority. —Thorn \>> Wiugi.m, Mayor of Tarn ivug.v. ' The following telegram also came to Mi King from Mr F. A. Whitaker, evM.H.R. for Waipa, former partnei of the deceased :— " I am deeply soi ry that I am not in Auckland to-day to follow the remains of our mutual and dear friend to the grave. Captain Blake will fully explain. I have wired my brother Henry to represent me. — F. A. Whitakek." This afternoon most of the business premises in the city had flags flying halfmast high, and after tw o o'clock there was a steady stream of persons in mourning costume towaids the Cathedral, whore a morfcuaiy set vice commencing with an opening prayer and the '" Libera Me Domir.p," and ending with the "Pater Xo-*tei," was conducted bj the Very Rev. Father Walter Macdonald, assisted by other clergy. At three o'clock the funeral cartege j moved off fiom the C ithedial headed by ;> cariiagecontaiiiir>gfchesim.tuiiyboys.ittned having with them the holy watoi tlnnible and inu'liseboit and tlieaspewnium. Then cyme the c.iui.iges of the cleigy, Fatlu-r Waltei luingin theone iinmciliatelyprecrd ing tlie licaise, which was .supplied by L>iguan and Company. Jieliind the he;vrse tliPic wa> a, long line of cauiagps, and a still longei line of moiiiner»on foot. Among tlioi>e present- were Sir Fiedenck Wlntakei, Judge (Jillie-. and the principal citizens of | Auckland. The l.i--t obspqiiK-, at the gi ne wpip con ducted Ly the Very Rev. Fathei Waltei Macdonald.