Obituary

New Zealand Tablet, Volume L, Issue 21, 31 May 1923, Page 45

Obituary

MRS. MARY JOSEPHINE HARRIS, W AIM ATE. There passed away on the 4th inst., at Waimate, in the person of Mrs. Mary Josephine Harris (nee Fahey), a lady who was formerly well known in Dunedin. The late Mrs. Harris was born in Co. Galway, Ireland. She came to New Zealand in 1891, and for some years managed the Gridiron Hotel, Dunedin. She married in 1902 the late Air. A. Harris (for many years foreman printer of the N.Z. Tablet). They shortly afterwards took over the Empire Hotel at Waimate, and became well and favorably known to the people of that town and district. When, in 1911, her husband died, the late Airs. Harris retired from business, and devoted her life solely to the welfare of her children. Deceased, although of a retiring disposition, was loved and esteemed by all who knew her. She was a devout Catholic, and, attended in her last illness by Rev. Father Peoples, she died fortified by all the rites of Holy Church. Her nephew (Rev. E. Marlow) officiated at the interment. A son and two daughters are left to mourn their loss.—R.l.P. MR. THOMAS FLANNERY, POOL BURN. On Tuesday. May 8, there passed away at Poolburn, in the person of Mr. Thomas Flannery, one of the oldest and most respected settlers of Central Otago. Attracted by the glowing accounts of the New Zealand goldfields, the late Air. Flannery, who was a native of Co. Sligo, left Ireland in 1860, and after a long and tedious voyage landed at Dunedin. In common with many others of the new arrivals, he quickly made his way to the German Hill diggings, then in full swing. After following the gold rushes of Otago, West Coast, and Coromandel with varying success, he returned to Tinkers, now known as ALatakanui, and was one of the small party who brought in the Undaunted water race. It is a lasting monument to the courage and perseverance of those sturdy pioneers that they accomplished a work of this magnitude without the aid of engineers, Government grants, or any of the latter-day appliances. After a few years of successful mining at Tinkers lie took up land at Poolhurn, and had farmed successfully there ever since. Throughout his life In* was a staunch, practical Catholic, and was a familiar figure at the Ophir church, where he served Hass for about 40 years. He was also a strong supporter of flic Tablet, and used to boast that he had never missed a copy since the first issue. Any movement in aid of the Irish cause always appealed to him. The funeral, which was one of the largest ever seen in the district, evidenced the great respect in which deceased was held. The burial took place at Oniakan, Rev. Father O’Dea, assisted by Father Fenton, officiating. Three sons of deceased served in the Great War, two of whom made the supreme sacrifice. The late Mr. Flannery is survived by his brother (Mr. B. Flannery, of Ophir), his widow, two sons and five daughters, to whom sincere syempathy is extended in their sad loss. —R.I.P. AIR. JEREMIAH HURLEY, WELLINGTON. It is with regret (writes our Wellington correspondent) that I have to record the death of another of our most esteemed and staunch pioneer Catholics in the person of Air. Jeremiah Hurley, which occurred at his residence, Brougham Street, on Thursday, the 17th inst. The deceased, who had a varied and interesting career, was born in Tralee, Ireland, and arrived in this country as a young man some sixty years ago. Being a teacher by profession he was master of the Catholic boys’ school in Wellington before the advent of the Afarist Brothers. On the school being handed over to the Brothers Air. Hurley entered the Government teaching service, being stationed at Kaiwarra and subsequently at the Hutt, where he remained until his retirement. He then took up farming in the Otaki district. and was for a period of 25 years returning officer and registrar of electors for tho Otaki electoral district. He removed to Wellington in his declining years. The late Air. Hurley was Wellington’s first correspondent to the Tablet. and also the first AVellington subscriber. He continued

taking the paper throughout his life. The late Mr. Hurley was also one of the foundation members of the local St. Patrick s branch, of the Hibernian Society, occupying the position of secretary during the first years of its existence. He was also a Justice of the Peace. The deceased was a patriotic Irishman, and rendered valuable assistance to the cause of his native country which he loved. A pious Catholic and a man of integrity and honor, he was esteemed and respected by all classes of the comm unity. He leaves a family of one son and five daughters to mourn the loss of a loving father. The son is Rev. Father Hurley S.M. of Timaru, and two daughters are also serving God in religion as Sisters of the Order of St. Joseph. Hie other daughters are Mrs. Robertson, and the Misses mlow Mrs. M - J. Lynch, of Paraparaumu, is a sister of the deceased. Mrs. Hurley and a daughter (Mrs Perry) died some years ago. The funeral (in deference to the wish ol the deceased) was a private one. Rev. Father Hurley celebrated Requiem Mass at St. Joseph’s Church (Buckle Street, his Grace Archbishop O’Shea and all the local clergy being present. The remains were interred at Karon Cemetery, Father Hurley officiating at the gravep ‘'To” 1 ™ "‘fc"** l in hi « last moments by Her. bather Cullen, Adm„ and had the happiness of rehts'last. —-R HP^ oCla ' 1U ’ ~tS half an hoilr b e for e he breathed —