LATE BISHOP GRIMES

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2418, 25 March 1915, Page 7

LATE BISHOP GRIMES

SAD RITES IN CHRISTCHURCH INTERMENT TAKES PLACE TO-DAY (Br TcleKra.pl.—Press Association-! Chrlstchurch, March 24. The widespread and very real love and veneration in which tho late Bishop Grimes was held by his flock, and the regret and respect felt towards liini by the public of Christchurch generally, was very eloquontly testified to this morning by the largo gathering that ,so patiently waited tho arrival of the remains of the late Bishop and by the respectful grief manifested on all sides. Moornouso Avenue, from tlie station entrance westward almost to Colombo Street, was filled with people, and subsequently tho side-walks along the routs of the procession were lined with crowds. By 8.30 portion of the procession as far as it was possible had been accomplished. A quarter of an - hour later the hearse conveying the body of Bishop Grimes emerged into tho avenue from tho southern side of tho statiou. The procession finally formed in order, and those comprising it were the cross-bear.-ers, altar boys, the clergy, Nazareth House children, Mount Magdala children, St. Bede's scholars, boarders and 6chool children of Our Lady of the Missions Convent, school children of St. Mary's Convent, and representatives from houses on the West Coast, Marist Brothers' school boys, school boys from St. Mary's, visiting clergy, the hearse, Guard of Hibernians, motor car (Sir George Clifford, Mr. H. H. Loiijjhnan, and J.. A. Cassidy), carriages (visiting clergy), the Bishop's car (with curtains drawn), Marist School cadets (under Lieut. Roche), members of the H.A.C.8.5., and mourners. At the head of the procession was a crossbearer holding aloft a cross, accompanied by altar boys bearing lighted candles.' The banners borne by two branches of Children of Mary, the Sacrod Heart Convent, and St. Mary's Parish lent colour to the array, as did also the Hibernians with their sashes of green. A mediaval not© was added by the quaint lanterns borne by the guard of Hibernians with the hearse. The prelates and • clergy present included His Grace Archbishop O'Shea (Wellington), the Right Rev. Dr. Cleary (Bishop of Auckland), the Right Rev. Dr. Verdon (Bishop of Dunedin), the Ven. Archdeacon Devoy, Monsignor Brodie. Mon--Bignor M'Kay, Chancellor Holbrook, Dean Hills, Dean Holley, Dean Smythe, Dean Regnault, Dean Vinsfeld, ' Dean Carew, Dean John M'Kenna,' Dean O'Donnell, Dean Tubman, and Chancellor Price. The Mothers Superior of tho various institutions were_ present. At about 8.50 the procession started and at 9.10, to the solemn tolling of tho Cathedral bells, the casket was conveyed from the hearse into the Cathedral, the front of which was draped in black. The mourners stood in the portico, whilst the casket was being borne into the sacred edifice. Dean Hills received the body which was conveyed to a position in front of the altar. The interior of the Cathedral was draped in black and purple, the altar and pulpit being draped in black. The tnourners went into the Cathedral Where a short service was held. Dean Hills said the Miserere, the clergy responding. This was followed by Aves to which the people responded. Then followed the removal of the top of the casket, disclosing the mortal remains of Bishop Grimes. Those present filed slowly past and looked with sorrow on the features of their beloved Bihsop. Tlie body lay in state all .to-day and the interment, in the- Chapel- of- Holy Souls will take place to-morrow morning.

THE LATE BISHOP'S LAST HOURS. DYING WISH TO BE BURIED IN THE CATHEDRAL. The Very Rev. Chancellor Price who accompanied the late Bishop Grimes to Sydney, returned to Christchurch this morning.' Chancellor Price was with Bishop Grimes to the last and in view of his close association with the deceased prelate felt acutely the painful experiences he went through. Chancellor Price said his Lordship stood the passage from New Zealand to Sydney very well and on arrival at Lewisham Hospital was examined by a prominent surgeon, Dr. Stewart Mackay, and by the leading physician, Dr. Veitch. They found that His Lordship was suffering from a dilated stomach and mitral regurgitans of the heart. They were hopeful of being able to restore him to health, though they were of opinion that owing to the heart affection His Lordship would never be able to undertake any strenuous work,' as the least excitement might result in a sudden collapse. With care they thought His Lordship might live many years. On the Friday night before his death His Lordship had an attack of appendicitis, but the physician thought it might pass away in about twenty-four hours. Instead of doing so it became more acute, and on Saturday at midday it was decided that an operation was absolutely necessary. The same evening Dr. Stew, art Mackay operated, and His Lordship stood the operation splendidly, leaving the operating table-feeling well. When the effect of the anaesthetic wore off, His Lordship said that he felt much more comfortable. Up to i p.m. on Sunday His Lordship was getting on as well as the doctors and nurses could expect, but then a slight attack of pneumonia supervened, and gave His Lordship no chance, and he gradually sank and expired about one o'clock on Monday morning. His Lordship was conscious up to two or three hours before his death. When Chancellor Price conveyed to His Lordship the intimation that there was no hope, Bishop Grimes gave his blessing to his people, and asked for their prayers. His Lordship spoke of the twenty-seven years he had laboured amongst the people of Christchurch, and expressed the wish that his remains should rest in the Cathedral. Last Thursday a Requiem Service was held at St. Patrick's Church, Sydney, at which Archbishop Kedley and the new Papal delegate and about sixty priests wore present. The following day the body was removed on board the Manuka which, after a somewhat rough passage, arrived at Wellington just in time to connect with the ferry steamer.