Many At Funeral Of Mr Gillespie

Press, Volume C, Issue 29498, 27 April 1961, Page 16

Many At Funeral Of Mr Gillespie

There had never been an electorate where the member had meant so much to the people, said the Bishop of Christchurch (the Rt. Rev. A. K. Warren) in a tribute to Mr W. IL Gillespie, Minister of Agriculture, whose funeral took place at Oxford yesterday. The St. Andrew’s Anglican Church was full, and the service was relayed to the adjoining Sunday school hall and to those who stood in the steady rain or remained in cars nearby.

Friends, colleagues, and representatives of many organisations with which Mr Gillespie had been associated, were among those who attended. More than 500 wreaths were sent.

Assisting Bishop Warren with the service were the vicar of Oxford (the Rev. G. H. Schurr) and the vicar of Rangiora (the Rev. K. O Bathurst).

William Henry Gillespie had served his country very well, said Bishop Warren. He had earned respect by hard work and honesty of purpose. On the death of his father. Mr Gillespie had assumed the responsibility as head of the family at the age of 14 and that had done something to his character that had made him always understanding of other persons' difficulties. He had no enemy, and had never pretended to be other than his own self. Mr Gillespie was a true friend, said Bishop Warren, who had been a member of the Senate of the University of New Zealand with him. He had served in Palestine in the Canterbury Mounted Rifles: his family had been connected with the land from the early days of the settlement, and he had been a farmer: and had taken his part in public life in service with numerous organisations as well as in Parliament. Agriculture had been Mr Gillespie’s special interest, however, said Bishop Warren. This had been evident during his membership of the board of governors of Canterbury Agricultural College, of which had had been chairman. He was glad Mr Gillespie had achieved the honour of being Minister of Agriculture and so charged with the highest post he could achieve in his field Had Mr Gillespie lived he would have made even a greater mark. His friends would miss his cheery greetings. Pall-Bearers The pall-bearers at the church were relatives of Mr Gillespie—his two brothers. Messrs E. and R. D. Gillespie, and four nephews. Messrs J. Gillespie, R. Gillespie. Melville Gillespie, and Murray Gillespie. At the graveside the pall-bearers were the Prime Minister <Mr Holyoake). the Minister of Finance (Mr Lake), Mr J. Watts, a former Minister of Finance Mr A. Burke, chairman of the National Party in the Hurunui electorate. Mr T A. McKellar, vice-chairman of the board of directors of the New Zealand Farmers Co-opera-tive Association. Ltd, and Mr T. D. J. Holderness. chairman of the board of governors of Canterbury Agricultural College

Other members of Parliament present were the Minis-

ter of Transport (Mr McAlpine), the Minister of Labour (Mr Shand), the Minister of Lands* Mr Gerard), the Minister of Broadcasting (Mr Kinsella), the Leader of the Opposition (Mr Nash). Mr G. G. Grieve <Awarua), Mr H. J Walker (St. Albans), and Mr N. E. Kirk (Lyttelton) Mr Gillespie’s private secretaries. Messrs H. Hewett and S. Helm, also attended. Representatives of many organisations with which Mr Gillespie was connected formed a guard of honour, and among those attending were representatives of numerous local bodies, university and educational organisations. the Returned Services’ Association, and several primary producer bodies. Among those from the producer bodies were Messrs J. Acland (Wool Board). J. D. Ormond and J W. de Gruchy (Meat Board). A. Linton iDairy Board). E N. Peacock and V. S. Lynskey (Town Milk Producers' Federation). D. J. Henderson (Milk Board). J. H. Parker and H. R. Sampson (Apple and Pear Board). The Department of Agriculture was represented by the DirectorGeneral (Mr P. W. Smallfield) and the Assistant-Director-General (Dr. I. J Cunningham). The Dominion Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs was represented by the president (Mr P. G. Morrison).