FUNERAL OF MR. KIRKBRIDE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 260, 7 November 1906, Page 8

FUNERAL OF MR. KIRKBRIDE.

The funeral of the. late Mr. M. M, Kirkbride, M.H.R, for Manukau, took place at Mangere yesterday afternoon. The cortege was one of the longest ever seen in' the district, about 700 relatives and friends of the deceased followiag the hearse. The funeral procession- left tho late residence of deceased, "Ihumata/ , at 2 o'clock, the interment taking place at the Mangere cemetery. About 90 vehicles and a large number of horsemen were included in the procession, which was nearly a mile in length, and the followers included friends of deceased from Auckland, Qnehunga, Mangere. and Waikato districts. The chief mourners were the Rev. Mr. Kirkbride, brother of deceased, Messrs. Matthew and Gilbert Kirkbride, sons, Mr Westney, brother-inrlaw, and Mr. John. Montgomery, son-in-law. Among those presentwere Sir John Logan Campbell, Mr. j. Massey (father of the Leader of the Opposition, who was unable to arrive from Christchureh until to-day), J. Bollard, E. W. Alison, and F. Lawry, M.HJt's, F. W, Lang, a former colleague of deceased in the House of Representatives, R, Hall, president, W. Dick, vice-presi-dent, and E. Hall, secretary, and a number of members of the Auckland Acclimatisation Society, L. R, Phillipps, president, J. G. Garland, secretary," of the Auckland Provincial Farmers' Union, McKenzie, chairman Mangere Rd. Board, J. Rowe, Mayor of Onehunga, Yockney, Town Clerk, and A. Gordon, ex-Mayor, R. Farrell and M. Casey, Auckland City Council, J. McLecd, chairman Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, A. Ambury, C. Bagley (Mt. Roskill Road Board,. M. Flanaghan, Drury, F. U., J. Bilkey and E. Allen (Pukekohe), Morgan (Drury), D. Holloway (Hamilton), Maj or Shepherd (Ser-geant-at-Arms to the House of Representatives), and K. R. Martin (organiser to the Opposition). A large number of beautiful wreaths' were forwarded, included in the senders being the Opposition party, Agricultural Department, Political Reform League, Mangere Road Board, Auckland Agricultural Association, Man-, gere school children, Onehunga. Reform League. Mayor and Borough of Onehunga; and a large number of private friends. The service at the graveside was impressively conducted by the Rev. Canon Haselden. The Manukau district schools were closed yesterday afternoon as a mark of respect to the memory of Mr. Kirkbride. A resolution was carried at last night's meeting of the Dsvonport Borough Council sympathising with Mrs. Kirkbride and family in their sad bereavement. The Mayor (Mr. E. W. Alison, M.H.R.), in moving the resolution, said that the late Mr. Kirkbride was a gentleman of excellent ability and high intellect, and his demise was a distinct loss to the House of Representatives, of which he was a valuable member. Statutory notice of the death of Mr. Kirkbride has not yet been forwarded to the Speaker of the House of Reprer spntatives. On receipt of notice he will give instructions for the issue of a writ, which will be returnable in 21 days. Mr. S. Brookfield is returning officer for the Manukau electorate.