DOUBLE FUNERAL

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 282, 27 August 1942, Page 4

DOUBLE FUNERAL

Victims Of Wairoa Tragedy TRIBUTES TO CHARACTER

A congregation that overflowed the Salvation Army Citadel, Vivian Street, Wellington, attended the funeral service yesterday afternoon for Brigadier Annie Smyth, 8.A., and Sister Rosamond Smyth, who were found dead at Wairoa and who are believed to'have died on August 10. The service was conducted by the territorial commander of the Salvation Army in New Zealand, Coenmist sioner J. Evan Smith, who eaid in an address that the motive of the sisters’ assailant was not known, but- it appeared that some vindictive person had resented Brigadier Smyth’s denunciation of sin. AU knew how she attacked evil when she found it. But the manner' of her death was not important; the important thing was that she had died. She was an officer w’ho had won esteem not only throughout New Zealand but also in other Dominions by her devotion. She might as well be regarded as a 'martyr for the cause of Christ as the missionaries who had died throughou t the ages. -He had first met her in Tokio in 1926, when he was impressed with 'her kindness, and many times since he had noticed her selflessness. When advised to leave Japan for her own safety she declined to do so to save her skin', as she said. When she came back to New Zealand she asked to be given further duties and he sent her to Wairoa. Rosamond Smyth was a kind, unassuming and gracious character and a respected memiber of the Wellington City Corps. Commissioner Smith expressed sympathy for their relatives. Lieut.-Colonel F. Burton also spoke, his testimony to the characters of the two sisters being given weight by his statement that (he had known them very many years and had frequently visited them and their mother in their home. He” urged his hearers to imbibe their spirit. Prayer was led by Major Jean Bennett and a passage of scripture was read by Mrs. J. Evan Smith.

The cortege to the Karori Cemetery was led Iby the Salvation- Army City Band. At the graveside Brigadier E. Smith spoke and. the divisional commander, Brigadier C. Gray, led the prayer. The chief mourners were the deceaseds’ sister and two brothers. The pall-bearers for Brigadier Smyth were Brigadiers P. Atherfold, C. Bracegirdle, C. Gray, A. Hildreth, J. Powick and A. Souter. The. pall-hearers for Sister Rosamond Smyth were Majors H. Lord and H. Parkinson, Adjutants F- Hay and B. Stone, and Captains G. Gray and D. Hoten. In addition to officers and soldiers of the Salvation Army and congregation included the Attorney-General, Mr, Mason, Airs. Knox Gilmer, Mr. 11. W. Shortt, president of the 'Wellington Justices of the Peace Association, Air, C. -S. Falconer, Dominion president of tlie Y.M.C.A., seven representatives of the Wellington College Old Girls’ Association, Sub-Inspector G. Lambert, Senior-Sergeant G. J. Paine. Mr. R. A. Wright and Mr. C. Collins, former city treasurer. big response Detective’s Appeal For Information Dominion Special Service.' WAIROA, August 2(5. Chief-Detective Young’s appeal tor information for any person likely to shed light on the date when either Brigadier Annie Smyth or Miss Rosamund Smyth was last seen has brought ■i vast number of replies. "Every piece of information is followed up carefully and we welcome them all,” said Chief-Detective Young. Yesterday Detective-Sergeant J. J. Murray, Wanganui, and Detective J. C. Urquhart, Wellington, joined (tie investigators. Constable J. McAlpine, formerly .stationed at Wairoa, and now at Bulls, also arrived. His many years of local knowledge will be valuable.

Lieutenant Elizabeth Smith, Te Aruron, now on self-denial collecting for the' Salvation Army in the back country of 'Wairoa. said no arrangements had yet been made for carrying on the work of Brigadier Smyth.