FUNERAL OF THE LATE MR WI TAKO.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1715, 21 November 1887, Page 3

FUNERAL OF THE LATE MR WI TAKO.

Wbeunqtoh, November 20. The funeral of the late Hon. Wl Tako Kgatata, who died a few days ago, took plaoo thi« afternoon, and waa the largest •Yet seen m this district, and probably m the colony. The weather was fine. At two o'olock a special train, conveying the Wellington Naval Artillery, the D Battery ci Artillery, and the first battalion of the Wellington Rifle Volunteers left for Petooe where the Volunteers disembarked, and were joined by the Petone Navals and the Heretaunga Oavulry. The Government launch Ellen Ballance took over fifty, of the permanent force, and these •omprUed the firing party. At 230 the ordinary passenger train left town, and look over 3000 people, Besides this •evenl of the harbor boats carried Euaengetß to. the beaoh, and the road waa rgely patronised, being lined with vehicles Of all dewriptlons. At three o'clock the funeral eort&ge left the late residence 6f the deceased, and prooeeded to the Roman Catholic Churoh, Lower Hutt, and at the eonoltulon of the first part ot the ■erries it returned to the starting point, wh«e It w»b met by » parade of Volunlien and hundreds <f monrners who had gone from town. The cuffia was carried on a gun carriage, and the precession then proceeded to the Native burirl ground at Petone, the carriage being drawn by a detachment of tbe Petone Navals. The m-tige was a mile m length, and was witnessed by thousands. Amongst the follower! were tbe members of the Cabinet and nearly all the members of the Legislature, numeious head officials of tbe Civil Service, the Major, and prinolpal citizens of Wellington, clergy of the j different demonstrations, beside? numerous fr lee els of the deceased chief, and also the members of the hapu to which he had belonged, Major-General Sir George Whitmore was m charge of the parade. There were also present Lieut -Colonel Butts (Officer Commanding the district), Majors Mesienger and GaßCofgne, and Captains Anderson, Powell, and Ooleman, of the Permanent Force. It is aideritood that a feaat m connection with the death of this well-known chief will coat over £500, The cruah at the Wellington B«Uw*y Station this afternoon was the largeitiseen, and several ladies m their anxiety to obtain seats allowed themselves ia be dragged through the windows of Ahe oantageß.