WAIROA MURDER VICTIMS

Evening Star, Issue 24284, 27 August 1942, Page 4

WAIROA MURDER VICTIMS

IMPRESSIVE FUNERAL SERVICE (P.A.) WELLINGTON, August 26. A congregation that overflowed tho Salvation Army Citadel attended the funeral service this afternoon for Brigadier Annie Smyth and her sister, Miss Rosamond Smyth, who were found murdered at Wairoa. The service was conducted by the territorial commander of the Salvation Army in New Zealand, Commissioner J. Evan Smith, who said in an address that the motive of the assailant was not known, but it appeared that some vindictive person had resented Brigadier Smyth’s denunciation of sin. All knew how she had attacked evil when she had found it. She was an officer who had won esteem, not only throughout New Zealand, but also in other dominions by her devotion. She could as well be regarded as a martyr for the cause of Christ as the missionaries who had died throughout the ages. Miss Rosamond Smyth was kind, unassuming, and gracious, and a respected member of the Wellington City Corps. Commissioner Smith expressed sympathy with the relatives of the deceased. The congregation included the Attor-ney-General (Hon. H. G. IR. Mason).