Obituaries Australia

The death of Maurice Edward O'Connell, of Aberdeen, New South Wales, and late of Amberley and Christchurch, New Zealand, occurred on the 19th July last in the Scone Hospital. The late Mr. O'Connell met with an accident some weeks before his death, and complications supervening, he never rallied. He was born in Sydney in 1846, and at quite an early age went to Now Zealand. He was educated at Christ's College, Christchurch, and for many years around Amberley and the surrounding district was widely known and universally esteemed.

Mr. O'Connell was always interested in all kinds of sport that made for the good and happiness of the people, and was known the length and breadth of Canterbury and West land by people in all stations of life as a "perfect gentleman." His kindly thought for others made him beloved by all who had the privilege of knowing him. Many are the stories he used to tell of the gold diggings on the west coast of N.Z. in those stirring days, when as a young man he so often travelled far and wide. For many years he was secretary of the Brackenfield Hunting Club, and was also an honoured member of the Masonic order.

About thirty years ago he accepted the position of chief of the stock department of the Australian Chilling and Freezing Company Limited, Aberdeen, N.S.W., which he held until the time of his death. He was widely known in the north and north-west' of New South Wales, and his kindly nature and courteous manner were always admired by those with whom he came in contact in business or social circles. His generosity was unbounded, no worthy cause ever lacking his practical assistance, and the passing of Mr. O'Connell leaves a blank difficult to fill. The only surviving close relative is Mr. George O'Connell, a younger brother, residing in Argentina.