The Late Dean Mahoney

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXI, Issue 26, 25 June 1903, Page 11

The Late Dean Mahoney

In the Dublin ' Freeman's Journal ' of April 13 there appears a lengthy obituary notice of the late Very Rev. Dean Mahoney, S.M., evidently written by his o,ld friend, Very Rev. Dr. Watters, S.M. The principal facts recorded in the notice have already appeared in the ' N.Z. Tablet,' with the exception of the following pleasing incident which deserves publicity :—: — ' Let this little fact show the hold the good Father had over our separated brethren. There lives in Nelson a wealthy man, not unknown in London, not unknown in education circles in New Zealand, for he scatters his wealth wisely and well, and often. Mr John Tinline — for that is the man — called on Father Mahoney just before the latter left for Europe, in March of last year — "Would you tell me, Dean," said Mr. Tinline, "how many years you have spent in Nelson ? " " Exactly twenty-seven," replied the Dean. " Well," said Mr. Tinline, " I did not join in the general testimonial given you by your friends, but I would ask you now if you will accept from me one sovereign for every year you have been in Nelson ! " In the course of a private letter to the editor of the ' N.Z. Tablet ' the Very Rev. Dr. Watters writes as follows regarding the last days and parting wishes of Dean Mahoney : — ' From the first he was doomed, and though he fought to the end and made a rally more than once,

it was only to yield ground to the advance of the fell disease that killed him. His heart was in New Zealand, in and about Nelson, the people, the children, the orphans, and his one consuming desire was to gather enough strength to return to his parish and lay his remains in the mortuary chapel at Nelson with those of his superior and spiritual Father, Fere Garin. It was not so to be. With resignation and full acceptance he breathed his last on Easter Sunday at ',1.30 p.m., fortified by all the rites of Holy Church. We buried him in his own native sod at Pallas Green, under the shadow of historic Sarsfield's Rock, and priests and people came to do honor to his remains. Your correspondent performed the last solemn rites for a dear friend and constant of more than 30 years. — R.I. P.