ROYAL WREATH

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 88, 8 January 1935, Page 10

ROYAL WREATH

Late Archbishop Redwood

THE LYING-IN-STATE Last Rites to Take Place To-day ORDER OF PROCESSION Throughout yesterday, in dull, muggy weather, throngs of people mounted the stiff grade of Hill Street to pay their last tribute of respect to the late Archbishop Redwood, whose remains lay exposed to view in the Basilica throughout the day. While there was not at any time a crowd, a steady stream of people passed the catafalque between 9 a.m. and 6 o’clock last evening, which, in the aggregate, must have numbered some thousands.

Nor were they all residents of Wellington. It was gathered from some of the groups that they had come from the country districts in order to pay their last respects to the dead Archbishop, whose ministrations in the early days extended into every nook and corner of the province, and who was as übiquitous as he was earnest in the attention he paid to the people of his diocese. The Rev. Father Riordan, of Otaki Maori Mission, with four Maoris, visited the Basilica yesterday and laid a Maori mat at the foot of the catafalque. Church in Mourning. Excellent taste has been displayed in the funeral drapings of the interior of the Basilica. While the broad drapings of black cloth, hung vertically in each case, give an air of gloomy mourning suitable to the occasion, the effect is heightened and relieved to some extent by the use of white muslin. That is to say, wherever black is used, there is a white offset. This even extends to the altar, the pulpit and the catafalque itself. Nowhere is the' draping overdone. The entire scheme w’as that of the Rev. Father Schaefar, whose artistic perception and sense of balance are never at fault. The “decor,” in its various details, was fabricated by the Misses Milligan, while the actual work of placing it in position was entrusted to Mr. W. Conroy. All did their work well. The various designs incorporated in the hangings and banners are traditional. Some have the letters “R.1.P.,” some “LILS.,” others the monogram of Christ, and others again the Mitre and Cross of episcopal heraldry. It may have been noticed that on either side the monogram of Christ (in Greek letters, which resemble an elongated “P,” with the lower half of the letter crossed) appear the small English letters “A” and “0.” These, of course, stand for Alpha and Omega, the first and last letter of. the Greek alphabet, as used in the Book of Revelations — Anil he said unto inc—“it is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.” Notable Wreaths. Two 'wreaths of note were received at the Basilica, yesterday. One was a beautiful and artistic wreath, made of the freshest of flowers, and bearing the card of H.R.H. the Duke of Gloucester. The other wreath, of colourful loveliness, was forwarded by his Excellency the Governor-General, Lord Bledisloe. Both wreaths were exhibited reposing upon the draped altar rails, at the head of the catafalque, throughout yesterday afternoon. Among other wreaths deposited against the altar rails were those from, the Prime Minister and members of the Cabinet, and from his Majesty’s Opposition. The Solemn Office for the Dead was recited at the Basilica at 7:30 last evening in the presence of a large number of the clergy and the general public. His Grace Archbishop O’Shea presided. The celebrant was the Rev. Father Hurley, Provincial of ' the Marist Order in Australasia, and the cantors were the Rev. Fathers Milligan and Durning. The choir, of priests, under the Rev. Father Schaefer, used the Gregorian chant for the intonation of the service. Last Scene of All. The last scene of all in the life and passing hence of Archbishop Redwood will be tlie Solemn Pontifical Requiem Mass which is to be celebrated at the Hill Street Basilica at 10 o'clock this morning. and the funeral ceremony whic.h is to follow. Such is the respect and admiration in which the late archbishop was held that the event is likely to prove an outstanding one in church history in this part _of tlie world. It is attracting members of the clergy from all parts of the archdiocese, and from Auckland to Southland, so that the gathering is likely to almost'equal that which honoured Jds golden jubilee as a bishop in 1924, ami his diamond jubilee last year. His Grace Archbishop O’Shea will be the celebrant and will personally deliver the panegyric on the great fhurclnnan with whom be had so long been associated, and through whose perspicacity he was nominated Coa l-jutor-Arclibishop many yeafs ago. The mimes of the rest of the clergy, who will be immediately concerned u ;he service of Mass have already beenannounced. A full choir of about 40 priests will sing the Mass under the direction > f ;be Rev. Father Schaefer. The Solemn Requiem Mass is likely Io occupy about an hour and a half, so that the funeral is not likely to start from the Basilica ’.mtil about 11.45 a.m.

Those who are to march in the procession—4 nd in many eases these will not be able to be accimmodated in the church—are to assemble at given points—the girls (in white) at the Guilford Terrace School at 10.30 a.m.: the boys at the Hawkestoue Street Marhst Brothers’ School at the same time: the Hibernians in Lower Hill Street at 11.15 a.m.; and the Children ef Mary in Guilford Terrace at the same time. . Other men who are '.o form part of the cortege- will assemble :n Hill Street at 11.15 a.m. The funeral will proceed to Karori by way of Hill Street. Molesworth Street, Lambton Quay. Bowen Street. Sydney Street, Tinakuri Road, and so by the main road to the cemetery. Those marching in the procession tnav drop out when opposite the Botanical Garden gates, as the walk up the long grades to Karori may be much too tirfng for some in the temperatures which are being experienced

His Lordship, Bishop Brodie, of

Christchurch, will officiate at the graveside. Order of Procession. The order of the funeral procession will be as follows: — Port Nicholson Silver Band. Children of Mary. Members of Hibernian Society. Men of Laity. Members of clergy, preceded by cross-bearer and acolytes. Members of Hierarchy. The hearse. Private cars. Order of Assembly. The order of assembly is as follows :— 9.30 a.m.: Clergy assemble in Guilford Terrace. 9.45 a.m.; Procession of clergy to Basilica, via Hill Street. 10 a.m.: Solemn Pontifical Requiem Mass. 11.45 a.m. (approximate): Funeral procession leaves. The League of Nations Union Council, New Zealand, will be represented at the funeral by Mr. William Page and Mr. W. B. Matheson. Traffic Arrangements. From 9 o’clock this morning Hill Street will be a one-way traffic thoroughfare. Traffic will only be permitted from west to east. All private cars and taxis with passengers for tlie service at the Basilica will have to approach the church from the Tinakori Road end Hill Street. After depositing their passengers they will have to continue on down to Molesworth Street, as no parking will be allowed in Hill Street. When toward noon drivers wish to pick up their passengers again, they will have to make the back route and approach the Basilica again from Tinakori Road. There will be. road marshals to see that this rule is kept, and to help people in regaining their cars or taxi-cabs. Streets To Be Closed. City streets through which the funeral will pass are to be closed for a iieriod to-day. .These are Hill Street, portion of Molesworth Street, portion of Lambton Quay, Bowen Street, Museum Street and Sydney Street West. Motor traffic with passengers for the service at the Basilica must enter Hill Street at the Tinakori Road end only. Hill Street will be closed to general traffic from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and the other streets for various periods between 11.30 a.m. and 1 .p.m. Message of Condolence. In addition to those published messages of condolence have been received from the following:— Mr. and Mrs. 11. O’Leary. Mrs. Grace White, Mr. Ultan McCabe, Dr. Hardwick Smith. Mr. and Mrs. N. Gamble, all of Wellington; Mr..»and Mrs. W. Devine. Palmerston North; Mrs, M. Duncan, Rev. J. E. AshleyJones, Wellington: Fathers Devoy, Wniroa; Doolaghty, Taihape: Cashman, Pahiatua; Guinane, Dannevirke; Murphy. Timaru; Crocker, Waipawa: Quealy. Petoue; Daly, Lower Hutt; McCarthy, Superior Marist Missions; Riordan, Otaki; Rev. Brother Benignus. Marist Bros., Auckland ; Rev. Mother Cecilie, Sisters of Compassion, Ponsonby, Auckland; Rev. Mother. Mt. Magdala. Christchurch. Arrangements have been made with the tramway department for the provision of special facilities to return people to town from the cemetery after tlie fnueral. SERVICE AT AUCKLAND Cardinal Macßory Attends Requiem Mass By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auelilaml, January 7. The Catholic community of Auck land paid its final tribute of respect to the late Archbishop Redwood this morning, when Pontitieial Requiem Mass was celebrated at St. PatrickCathedral, which was crowded His Eminence Cardin’al Macßory presideo, am the Mass was celebrated by Bishqp Liston. Among those in the congregation were the Mayor, Mr. G. W. Hutchison, and the town clerk, the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. M. J. Savage, tlie dean and members of the Consular Corps, and Archdeacons Maemurrav and Simkin, representing the Anglican Church.

Tile eulogy was delivered by Bishop Liston, wlio said that Ito could speak for the Catholic body of the Dominion in saying that their heartfelt thank-, went out to all their iellow-citize:«< who had been so ready to share their grief. They were touched boyonu words by the warm expressions of sympathy from the Governor-General, re present,'itives of religious homes, mid 01 hers