H.A.C.B SOCIETY.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume II, Issue 79, 31 October 1874, Page 9

H.A.C.B SOCIETY.

Gbbymouth Branch (No. 17) ,i West Coast. Though this branch has been several years in existence, and has always numbered a fair per-centage of the population of the town and district within its ranks, it never lost a member by death till quite recently. Bro.Oeorge O'Flynn, a- faithful Christian and much-esteemed member, was called away a few days since, after an illness of about fifteen months, -which he bore with exemplary fortitude. The deceased was well known among Irishmen in New Zealand, in which ho has sojourned for some time. At the funeral of Mr O'Flynn, the branch mustered in force from all parts of the district. It is well to bear in mind that the population of the district is very scattered, and that the meanß of travelling over the rough roads are far from good. Notwithstanding that the burial took place on a working day — and most of the members of the branch are working men — about fifty of the brethren followed the remains of Bro. O'Flynn to the last resting-place, the Greyniouth Cemetery. The day was as bright and lovely as ever Spring day was, and the emerald green of the society's colors was more than rivalled by the verdure of the garment in which Nature had decked the waysides through -which the sad procession wound its mournful passage to the graveyard. At two o'clock the funeral cortege arrived at Greyniouth from the residence of the deceased, about two miles distant. A considerable body of friends here joined in, and the number in tlie procession was now very considerable. The bell of £)f St. Patrick's Church tolled mournfully as the hearse, containng the remains, approached. Shortly atter leaving (3-reymouth the procession was joined by Father Ecuyer, the parish priest. Arrived in the Cemetery, toe coffin was lowered into the grave, and, after the impressive burial service of the Church had been read by Father Ecuyer, the clay was heaped in, fche brethren and friends of the departed gazing sadly on. Brother O'Flynn left a widow and four children in indigent circumstances, for he had been ill fifteen months, and had sought medical aid at & distance. It is intended to raise a public subscription for the widow and orphans.