IMPRESSIVE SERVICE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 4, Issue 123, 30 June 1941, Page 5

IMPRESSIVE SERVICE

TRIBUTE TO LATE LIEUT. H. O. STEWART GATHERING AT PAH A large and representative number of both Maori and pakeha residents of the Whakatane Borough gathered at Wairaka Pah on Sunday morning when a military funeral was held as a tribute to the late Lieut. Horton O. StcAvart, whoso death in action AA r as recently announced. The ReA r . Wharetini Rangi conducted the service,' which Was arranged by the Maori members of the Whakatane Home Guard. Amongst those Avho occupied official positions were His Worship the Mayor (Mr B. S. Barry), Mr L. Luxton (representing the County Council and the Whakatane Home Guard), Major Haeusler and Captain J. W. Wilson (Hauraki Regiment), Major Thomas (Waikato Regiment), Lieut. G. C. Southey (C.O School Cadets and headmaster of the deceased officer's school), Mr L. Brown, Mr K. Runciman and Mr C. A. Head (President, vice-presi-dent and secretary respectively of the local branch of the R.S.A.). Platoon Commander T. Kereti was in charge of the Maori Home Guardsmen, Avliose bearing and efficiency was outstanding. Mr Mayo (conductor) and the Boys' Band provided the music. The ceremony took place at the meeting house, in front of which figured a photograph of the late officer together with emblems of his race and rank. The order of service was as folloavs: National Anthem; Hymn "Our God Our Help in Ages; Past"; Funeral service in Maori; Address; Prayer; Volley by Home Guard Firing Party; "Last Post" by Master Broadmore; One l minutes silence; "ReA r eille"; Hymn "Piko Nei Te Matenga" (When our heads are bowed with Sorrow); Benediction. The ceremony concluded with the mafch past of the l Home Guard pi.itoons.