OBITUARY

New Zealand Tablet, Volume LII, Issue 5, 4 February 1925, Page 29

OBITUARY

MRS. C. MeGRANE, OHAKUNE. At Ohakuue, on December 20, the death occurred of a popular and well-known former resident of Taumarunui in the person of Mrs. Catherine McGrane. The late Mrs. McGrane was horn in Victoria, Australia, 58 years ago, and she came to New Zealand over 30 years ago. Mr. and Mrs. McGrane settled first at Dunedin and later at Wellington. They came further north to the King Country and in 1908 Mrs. McGrane took over the Railway Hotel, opposite the railway station, which she conducted for about eight years. She later lived at Rangaroa and Ohakuue. Mrs. McGrane was a popular resident of Taumarunui, and a great worker in the interests of the Catholic Church. She also endeared herself to many by her generous work of a charitable nature and was unfailing in her efforts to help and cheer the sick. She was married before her arrival in New Zealand and adopted a niece, now Airs. E. H. Richardson, of Ohakuue. She is survived by her husband (Mr. Martin McGrane, Ohakuue), niece, and four sisters —Mrs. 11. McCa mb ridge (Matamata), Mrs. O. Kennedy (Victoria), Mrs. R. Cullen (Victoria), and Sister Aidan. Another sister, predeceased her. Her three brothers ars John (Queensland). Michael (Victoria), and James (Sydney).—R.l.R.

MR. THOMAS McCANN, ADDISONS. There passed away at his residence, Shamrock Hotel, Addisons, on November 30, a well-known and most respected pioneer settler of the Duller district, in the person of Mr. Thomas McCann. Born in Co. Longford, Ireland, 87 years ago, he came as a young man to Australia in 1860 and followed the goldfields of Victoria, later coming to New Zealand and following gold rushes in Otago, Hokitika, and Addisons’ Flat. In the latter place (where he had resided ever since) he was married in 1875 to Mary O’Gorman, of Co. Kerry, Ireland. The late McMeCa engaged in gold mining pursuits until eighteen years ago, when he became proprietor of the Shamrock Hotel. He was a man of many estimable qualities' and by his genial and hospitable disposition endeared himself to a wide circle of friends. The deceased was an exemplary Catholic, a most patriotic Irishman, and was associated with the first Hibernian Society established in New Zealand. Although he had reached an advanced age he enjoyed good health to the, last, and the end came peacefully. He died fortified by the last Sacred rites of the Church, being attended by Rev. Father Devlin. The interment took place at Addisons Cemetery, and was largely attended Rev. Father Sweeney officiating. The deceased leaves a widow and family of nine to mourn their loss, a daughter and son having predeceased him. He also leaves several grandchildren. The daughters are

Mesdames McMillan, Kilgour, O-Goman, Dove, and Miss A. McCann ; the Messrs * -m. Patrick, Thomas, John, and Francis. To the bereaved wife and family the sympathy of a wide cricle of friends is extended. —R.I.P. MR. P. J. KELLY, FEILDING. With deep regret the death is announced of Mr. Patrick James Kelly, barrister and solicitor, of Feilding, which occurred on December 25, fortified by the rites of Holy Church, The deceased was the third son of Air. Thomas Kelly, of Awatuna, West Coast. The late Mr. Kelly was articled by Air. James Park, Grown Prosecutor of Hokitika. He afterwards removed to Invercargill, then to Palmerston North, where he met Air.- A. AI. Ongley, finally opening a practice in Feilding which they carried on successfully for twenty years. He leaves a wife, son, and daughter, also four brothersJohn,.Michael, and Lawrence (Awatuna), and Joseph (lluatapu), and one sister (Airs. York, of Ohakune). The funeral, which was very largely attended, testified to the respect in which the deceased was held. Many floral tributes were forwarded by friends and different local bodies in which the late Air. Kelly had been closely associated.’ The “Dead March” was played as the remains were borne from the church. Rev. Father Murphy (cousin of the deceased) officiated at the church and graveside, assisted by Fathers Cahill (Feilding), and Doolaghty (Palmersi on North). —R.I.P.

MR. J. C. CON NO IVLEV, PORT CHALMERS. Few have been more closely associated with the history. of Port Chalmers during 'he past fifty years than the late .Mr. John. Charles Connolley, who recently passed away As a young man he experienced pioneering life in Queensland, and also visited ninny seaports throughout Australasia before settling down at Port Chalmers. 'Opening- a hairdressing saloon and tobacconist’s shop, lie retained his touch to some extent with seafaring life, his business premises being popular with the crews of vessels trading to the port of Otago. Though their welcome was never profuse, it was always sincere. Although Mr. Connolley had been in poor health for the past two years, lie was always interesting. He knew Port Chalmers when every second person was a captain, and tales of whaling days contained more than an echo of romance as he iccouuted them The late Mr. Connolley did not altogether confine his activities to tonsorial effort. He displayed remarkable skill as a dentist, and extracted many an aching molar,’ children as well as adults availing themselves of' his services. Mr. Connolley also displayed an interest in geological strata, and in his strolls about the hillsides collected many interesting specimens. An outcrop of. lignite, coal near the Mihiwaka railway tunnel is known as “Connolley coal mine.” Probably his greatest attention, apart from business, was devoted to mechanical invention. Mr. Connolley developed an apparatus for the launching of lifeboats from stranded vessels, and, although • the invention, was not adopted by shipowners, the working model was examined by people interested in .salvage

equipment for passenger steamers. The deceased is further credited with having first thought out.the present method of conveying rainwater from the roofs of railway carriages by way of the hollow stanchions on the ear platforms. He also invented a method of attaching the pneumatic cushion near the axle instead of outside the rim of motor vehicle wheels. The late Mr. Connolley, who is survived by one son, Mr. James Connolley, will be greatly missed by the people of Port Chalmers'.—R. .P.