THE FUNERAL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1790, 22 June 1906, Page 2

THE FUNERAL.

MR CARROLL AND THE NATIVES,

MOST IMPRESSIVE SPECTACLE,

XPer Press Asaociation.)

Wellington, last night. Tbe femoral of the late Premier took place to-day Immense orowds of people thronged tbe route taken by tbe cortege from the Parliamentary Buildings to Sydney street cemetery, where the interment took place. Shortly before eight o’clock this morning tbe coffin was removed from deceased’s late residence in Molesworth street to the main lobby of Parliament Buildings, where tbe hundreds of floral tributes received by tbe family during the paßt week bad been arranged. THE NATIVES. ; *

Those representatives of the Maori raoe who had assembled from all parts of the colony bold an impressive tangi. “ The sun has set,” said the Native Minister, Bpeaking in the Maori tongue to tbe mourners of bis raoe; " the people have lost (heir provider—the totara tree of tbe forest has failed Com?, trenH where he trod while alive. De-th i- no respecter of persons, M-u is like a bu<t r fly.’’ Mr Carroll then read an address to MrSeddon, wbtob be handed io Gapta a Seddon, who with bis two tin,the- stuod by the oofliM. Following this l-m-nis w-re dn-iver-d, tbe women keeping up » o mtinuou- w-1 ing, mats and otber tok-ns bring pUc d by tbe ooffin VIEWING THE COFFIN.

After tbe doorß of tbe building were thrown Open to tbe pub io, ami io the succeeding hours a stream of people filed through the lobby, paying their last re« speot to tbe memory of the deceased. Oyer thirty thousand peop!,e thus viewed the ooffiD.

CROWDED STREETS

By noon the streets in the vicinity of Parliament and Government Buildings were thronged. Every poiet of vantage was crowded. On the lawn in front of tbe House of Ropresenta'ives stood a detachment of military and the bandsmen, and at two o’clook the coffin was removed

from tbe building and plaoed on a gun oarrisge, around which the Ministers of the Grown stood as pall bearers. PROCESSION STARTS.

In a few minutes the gun sounded, and

tbe precession moved towards St. Paul’s Cathedral, the band playing the Dead March from Saul. CHIEF MOURNERS.

Mrs Seddon, Captain R. J. Seddon, Mr Y. T, Seddon, Master Stuart Seddon, Misses Mary S. Seddon, May E. Seddon, and Ruby Seddon, the Rev. and Mrs Bean, Mr T. and Mrs Dyer, Dr and Mrs Morioe (daughters aDd sons-in-law), Mr E. Seddon (brother). Mrs Gunliffe and Mrs McKay (sisters), Mr G. Spotswood (Mrs Seddon’s brother), Captain Hennab and Mrs Hennah (Mrs Seddon’s sister), Mr W. S. Hennah (Mrs Seddon’s nephew) and Mrs Hennab, Mr Hennah (Mrs Seddon’s I nephew), Miss Elsie Hennab (Mrs Sed-

don’s niece), Mr Reed and Mrs Reed (Mrs Seddon’s niece), Mr N. Seddon (Mr Seddon’a oousin) and Mrs N. Sed Jon were the ohief mourners.

OTHER MOURNERS. After members of the family followed His Exoellenoy the Governor’s carriage representative of His Exoellenoy, the Admiral, Sir J. G. Ward’s carriage, the Commandant of the New Zealand Forces, Judges and ex-Judges of the Sopreme Court, the Speaker and members of the Legislative Couhoil, tbe Speaker snd members of tbe Hauee of Representatives, ex Ministers of the Crown, ex-members of Parliament, foreign Consuls, representatives of other ooleniee, ineluding representatives of Nsw Z :alanders in Sydney, and, following these, representative men from all parts of New Zsaland,

AT ST. PAUL’S. At the ohuroh the remains were met by Dr, Wallis, Bishop of Wellington, aud

other clergy. When the Bishop bad read the usual test the choir Bang hymn No. 23>, the SOth Psalm, and then hymn 27> 11 Abide With Me.” On the completion of the service the oortege moved off, the oholr chanting “ Nuno Ditnitus.” LEAVING THE OHtJBOH. Leaving the church the oortege tamed out of Mulgrave street with semi-ciroular movement to Pipitea street, paet the Girls' j High Sohool,and across Hobson street,into

Davis Btreot, amid over tho same cordon of watching thousands held back by the lines of volunteers, Highlanders, Maori * Corps, North Canterbury Mounted Eifles, j and sundry others, not forgetting the sohool cadets. THE SAD PROCESSION, The same unimpeded progress, without hitch, saw the cortege pass along Thorndon quay into Lambton quay, where the . % _ orowd began to thicken, and the view opening out, showed the bend of Welling* ton Terrace some distanoe ahead lined with spectators, who bad ohosen this spo for a distant but commanding view point.

A STRIKING SIGHT.

But it was on entering Bowen street, which rises gradually from Lambton Quay, that the greatest press and the most striking sight was witnessed. Here on the rise at the top of the street were gathered so many people that they presented a sea of human heads, rising gallery wise from the level of the procession to the top of the ominence on which they stood, But in the middle of the human sea, like something stretched across it, appeared a quivering band of green—something that lived and moved, and seemed to beckon to tho cortege. As it drew up it was seen to be the green wreaths of the Maoris, now waved in the hand in the manner of the poi, and quivering in unison with their wild native chant. It was a master stroke of effect, both visually and orally, and one not to be forgotten. THE MIGHTY CROWD.

For a moment the prooession lingered. Then on it went to its destination, via Museum street and Sydney street, and so to the cemetery gates. Here was gathered now the full foroe of the mighty crowd, requiring all the authority of law and order, tracked up by the volunteers, to keep the human wave in check. This was, however, done.

AT THE CEMETERY.

At the .cemetery gates tho body was received by representatives of the head quarters stall', Colonel -Webb, Major Joyce, and Major A R. Hislop, V.D.A. A detatchincnt of blue jackets from the cruisers Encounter and Pioneer, under Lieut. Frauen, of the former • vessel, formed a guard at the graveside, and a gun party, 2i i men from tlie Encounter, tlie gun crew of 18, and six bearers under warrant officer Wearing, awaited the body at the entrance to the cemetery. . The nine-foot wide winding gravel pall}. from the Sydney gates to the submit of . the hill where the grave is situated was . lined with naval volunteers, A detachment of marines from the Encounter formed a line on the north side of, the grave under marine Lieut. Skafe. The Garrison Band, which headed tho

cortege, drew past the cemetery gates to permit the artillery gun carriage to pull up close to the Encounter’s twelvepounder Armstrong field gun carriage and limber.

UP THE HILL. The transfer of the coffin to the smaller gun carriage occupied less than two minutes and the men-of-warsmen started' up the hill at a smart walking pace. It was necessary for all other vehicles to be abandoned, owing to the narrowness of the pathway and the procession proceeded up the hill, headed by the Bishop, AT TEE GRAVESIDE. Soon the graveside was reached, and the body of New Zealand’s great statesman lay above the tomb. The chief mourners gathered around, with members of Parliament aud others, and Bishop Wallis commenced his duties. CONSECRATED GROUND. It was first necessary to ooußeorate the ground, which was done in the following words: “In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, I solemnly oonseorate this burial ground, and pray that His bleesing may ever be upon this place, and sanctify it and keep it holy that it may be a fit resting place for the bodies of His servants uutil the day of the Lord - Jesus when He shall come to judge the quiok and the dead.—Amen.” CONCLUDING SERVICE. The grey winter afternoon was waningji-. fitful watery clouds were passing, and the wind sang mournfully among the trees as Bishop Wallis, in clear voice, commenced the short but beautiful concluding servioe of the Anglican Church for the burial tbe dead, “ Man that is bora of woman hath but a short time to live, and is full of misery. He eometh up and is out down like a flower " A few raindrops fell at this moment. It seemed that Nature was attuned to the oircumstanoes. Deliberately the Biehop proceeded with the impressive service, and the hearts of the listeners were full of grief as. he spske the words, "We therefore oommit his body to the grave ; earth to earth, ashes to ashes, duet to dust; ia the sure and certain hope of the resurreotion to eternal life.”

Tncn came the Lords Prayer, which was repeated by the vast congregation. A few more sentences familiar to all, but perhaps never listened to by mauy of those present under such significant circumstances, and the Bishop concluded, “ The grace of pur Lord Jesus Christ and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost be with us all -forever more amen.” MASONIC RITES. A very brief Masonic service was gone through. Bro. Malcolm Niccol, Grand' Secretary, and a Past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of New Zealand, con- • ducted t e service, concluding with a Prayer, and the customary droppin g in the grave of the late Brother a sprig of acacia, the Masonic emblem of t£" immortality.

WEEPING WOMEN. Thus the religious portion of the cerelponial was over, amid" the ill-supresscd' sol,is pf fear stained njoufners, and con-v clqded to the accompaniment of weephjgf of women,

THE LAST POST But there was one more token of respect to be paid to the departed. In the course o f his busy life Ml’ S eddon carried ont the duties of Minister of Defence, and he was therefor# honored by tlic firing of throe volleys by a detachment of the permanent force. The men were drawn up on the eastern side of the grave, and as soon as the devotional service was over the firing took place. After the first and second volleys a bugler sounded a bar of " The Sunset,” and after the third “ The Last Post,” the ceremony was over. ..

SERYICEB THROUGHOUT THE COLONY.

Special t-o Ihc Times. :Eotorua, last night. A maesmemoriai meeting was held today in the sanatorium grounds, in whioh all denominations took part, a special feature of the service being au anoient requiem particularly well sung in'Maori by a large number of leading natives. The local band oonoluded the impressive service by playiDg the dead maroh.

Maetoriou, last night. Publio memorial serviaes were held to* day, and were largely attended. Addresses were given by the clergy.

Ohristohurob, last night. This afternoon resembled a Sunday, all the shops, offioes, and hotels being oiosed. A memorial service was held in the oathedtal, and a military servioe was held in Cranmer Square. In addition massed bands played the Dead March in Victoria Square, AU the servioes were very largely attended. * *

Dunedin, last night. Dunedin in particular, and Otago generally, observed to-day as a day of mourning f r the late Premier. Business was com* pletely suspended, and for an hour eventhe eleotrio tram oars were no! run. The day woo beautifully flue and verywwuj ';

ifor the time of the year, and this perhaps lad to the enormous crowds turning out to take part in the memorial services or witness the parade of volunteers and cadets, which was the largest for many a day. Nearly 1900 voluntoers and oadots paraded, and were marched through Princes end George streots, which woro lined by groat orowds. The first lot of volunteers broke oil to attend St. Matthew’s (Anglioan) Church. The uest lot broke off to attend the First Church, and another to go to St. Joseph’s (Catholic) School grounds, while tho bulk of tho , oadets went on to Knox Ohuroh. Attheso places memorial sorvioes wore held by Chaplain-Captain Ourzon-Siggars, Dr Nisbotf, Father Coffey, and W. Hewitson. Ail the buildings woro crowded. In addition a Methodist united memorial service was held in Trinity Methodist Church. At the oloso of these services a mass .meeting or servioe was held in tho Triangle, under : C the auspices of tho Couuoit of Churches. This beiDg held whoa the volunteers’ parade broke up, was very largely attended. Memorial servioos were also hold in North-oast Valley, South Dunedin, Bt. Hilda, Bavensbonrne, Port Chalmers, Green Island, Mosgie), and in nearly all country towns. Bomo striking eulogies were passed on the late Premier. It is antioipatsd that when all the returns are to haud, tho number of volunteers and cadets who paraded in Olago distriot will bo found to reaoh four thousand. The hotels wore oiosod from .2 to 4 o’olcok.

Invotoargill, lost night, Alter a wet forenoon the weather was fiDe for the Seddon memorial service, which was hold in the Garrison Hall, whioh oould not contain one fourth of the people who desired to attend. Tho cere* menial, which was of the same order as those in other centres, was preceded by a procession in wbioh volunteers, cadets, friendly societies', and other public bodies took part. The playing of funeral marohes by the Garrison and Municipal Bands was a marked feature of the proceedings, Hokitika, last night. Keports from all parts of Westland go to show that in every towo, village, and j settlement people oongrpgated at the I appointed time for the funeral to pay | their tribute of respect to tbeir be!o>od reprcs-ntatiyo. Bervees were bold every- I where, the olergy and laity delivering eloquent sermons and speeches, stress being laid on the law Mr Seddon’s sterling | religious belief, j la Hokitika, in spite cl most wretobod j wea'her, large crowds assembled at the j drillshed, where th • volontoers, cadets, and returned trooper', beaded by two bands, proceeded to ihe various churobes. i where orowded congregations were assembl d.

Westport, last night. A general holiday was observed in Westport to-day, and during the afternoon '“fr-very largely attended memorial service wast held in Victoria Theatre, a large number of people being unable to enter the hall. The service was conducted by ■ the local clergman. A choir of 75 voices, with the City bands led the singing. The service closed with the dead march impressively played by the band.

Tnames, last Digbt. Ths united district memorial service held at the Thames to-day proved to te cue of the most repreeontative gatherings seen on the goldfields. All denominations and residents, no matter what their political creed,*combined to do honor to the memory of the departed statesman. The members of the local bodies, heads of churches, representative pakehas and Maoris, volunteers, bands, veterans, cadets and the general publio, to the number of several thousands, assembled at tbe Victoria Reserve, where an impressive open .air memorial service was conducted. Speeches eulogistic of the late Premier rand his great work on behalf of the people were made by the Mayor, Mr Burns, representatives of the churches, and others. Combined church choirs assembled and led the singing. The bands played the Dead March in Saul, and there were appropriate dirges, The whole ceremony was a unique and striking testimony to the high esteem in whioh the late Premier was held, aad his Btorllng worth as a leading representative of tbe people.

Feilding, last night. i. Business was suspended and flags were “flown at half-mast. Over a thousand people attended the memorial servioe for the late Premier. Addresses were given by the Mayor and olergy. A parade of volunteers and Friendly Societies was held. The bands played the Dead March, The servioe concluded with volley firing ,jjjs the “ Last Post.” V' Ashburton, last night.

All places of business closed all day in honor of the late Premier. A memorial service was held in the domain in the iiternooD,in beautiful weather. Mounted and infantry volunteers, cadets, sohool ohildren, borough and county councillors, friendly societies, fire brigade, and two Ijibrasa bauds joined in the procession. The '''service was most ituprpssive, the great concourse of the general pubjio heartily joining in singing Beddon’s three favorite hymns, " Nearer My God to Tbee,” "Abide with Me,” " For Ever with the Lord." Wanganui, last night. One of the largest orowds seen here for a considerable time took part in the memorial Bsrvioe this afternoon. The Garrison Band pipyed he ‘ Garland of Fiowers ” and the “ Dead March ” in Saul. Two addresses were delivered bv Ciergym n ; hymn< were euDg, and prayers offered, . New Plymouth, last night. Business w-Kentnoly suspended all day. Memorial services were held at St. Mary’s, also a united service in thp reoreatmn grounds a' the hour of the fun-rah wh.oh the military attended It is estimated there werejonr thousand present. Aidresses and" prayers were delivered by several olfergymen, including a sterling panegyrio by tbe Rev. Brooke, president of the Methodist Conference. Appropriate hymns were sung, and bands played the "Dead Maroh in Saul.” Similar united servioes were held at loglewood, Stratford, Eltham, Hawers, and practically every . towDship in tbe province. -4- Marton, last night._ -• An impreisive united memorial service was hdld at Marton to-day. Tbe opera house was filled with people. The special hymns were suDg by a oombined ohoir, ‘ an d address ?e delivered by several minis* terSi all makiog eloquent reference to the life of tfie late Premier- Th P volunteers pnd' brass band attended, and the dead maroh was played.

Timaru, last night. All businesses olosed and all work ceased In the town at noon. Beautiful weather favored the open -air memorial servioe in Alexandra Square, Consequently the gathering was one of the largest ever seen in Timaru. AH Protestant Ministers took part in reading tho English burial servioe. There was a good muster of volunteers and sohool cadets. The Marine Band led the procession of two fire brigades and > others from the Post Office, and the Battalion Band played the Dead Maroh at the close of the service.

Nelson, last night.

Between four and five thousand citizens, volunteers and cadets attended the liicuiofittil service fit the ccntr&l school "rounds this afternoon. The ceremony was very impressive, and the Bishop of Nelson delivered an eloquent panegyric on the "deceased statesman, Business -was entirely suspended after noon, the hotels also being closed, and the chief post office, municipal buildings, and some shops were draped. Similar services wore held til Tukttka, Moutcka, Richmond, amlother parts of the district.