LATE DR. WITHERS

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16259, 9 July 1918, Page 5

LATE DR. WITHERS

THE FUNERAL.

The funeral of the lato Dr. T. J. Williors, ot boutii bridge, wmch took place on Sunday afternoon, was 1 110 largest evor lieid ill tuo district. Over 120 vehicles, inostiy motor-cars, followed the hearse Horn the residence at Southbridge, andotuers joiuod ill en route to tyie Eilesmere Cemetoiy. For many years the late Dr. Withers was a prominent and zealous Freemason. He was a Past Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of New Zealand, Past Master of Lodgo of Progress (Southbridge), aud a member of Lodge Ahurewa (Dunsandol). A short service was held at tho Lodge of Progress before the funeral, at tho conclusion of which the members, together with a number of brethren' from Lodges Waihora and Ahurewa, and Most Wor. Bro. J. J. Dougall, Past Grand Master, 11. Wor. Bro. S. Clifton Bingham, P. Prov. G.M., and Very Wor. Bro. F. C. B. Bishon, Prov. G. Sec., marched to the late Dr. Withers's residence, whero they formed up in single file between the entrance gate and the hearse. At the cemetery «the Masonic brethren marched ahead of the hears 3to the graves!do. Tho service at the grave was conducted by the Rev. J. S. Reid, of Dunsandel, Moderator of the Southbridge Presbyterian charge, assisted by the Rev. G. Lindsay, of Ricrarton, late Presbyterian minister at Southbridge. The Masonic service was read by R.W. Bro. S. C- Bingham, P. Prov. G.M., and V.W. Bro. F. C. B. Bishop, Prov. G. Sec. At the conclusion the Masonic brethren filed past tho grave, and oach deposited a sprig of acacia— the omblem of immortality—upon the coffin. The pall bearers were: — Messrs F. Lill, T>. T. Wrnight, A. W. Scott, W. M. Gabbie, W. Scott, and W. Abbott. Every local body and organisation in the "district was represented, and there wote' m&ny people present from Christchurch and elsewhere.

'liie late Dr. Withers took a very keen intorest in the voluntoer movement from the the oid Ellesinere Mounted Rifles Corps was formed, and was medical officer to tJie corps up to the timo it was merged into A Squadron of the C.Y.C., on the adoption of the present training system. He was also medical oiiicer to A Squadron. In the absence of the 0.C., the C.Y.C. was represented at the funerai by Major T. H. Overton, while Captain J. Coe and Lieut. W. A. McMillan represented the A Squadron. Many beautiful wreaths were placed upon the grave. Perhaps the finest tribute of all was a wroath with a card attached, bearing the following inscription:—"ln memory of the Doctor, from the women of Southbridge." Other wreaths were sent, by the Southbridgo Town .Board (of which the late Dr. Withers was a member up to the time of his death), the Southbridge Patriotic Committee, Ellesmore Bowling Association (of which the doctor was a past prosident), Southbridge Red Cross Branch, St. John's Presbyterian Church (of which the doctor was an elder for many years), Old Oak Lodge of Druids, Lodge Waihora, Lodge of Progress, Lodge Ahurewa, Mr and Mrs F. Lill and family, Mr and 'Mrs M. Barnett and family, Mr and Mrs L. Ruddock, Mr and Mrs C. V. Roi and Mr R. L. Bonnett. The late Dr. Withers leaves a widow, two sons, and three daughters. Two of the daughters are in the nursing profession. The eldest son, Major R. L. Withers N.Z.M.C., has been at the front nearly four yoars. He served for some time with the Mounted Brigade in Egypt, and later was transferred to France. The second son is serving with the C.M.R. in Egypt.