THE FUNERAL OF THE LATE MR F. W. THIEL.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1259, 1 April 1878, Page 3

THE FUNERAL OF THE LATE MR F. W. THIEL.

The funeral of the late Mr Thiel took place yesterday, and as a Masonic gathering was one of the most imposing that has ever been witnessed in Canterbury, or, indeed, in New Zealand. Shortly after half-past one the brethren assembled at the Canterbury Masonic Hall, and after some preliminary ceremonies, formed a procession in the order given below. Some 600 Masons took part in the procession, every Lodge in the district being represented. The onerous duty of marshalling the brethren was entrusted to P.M. Bro. Coleman, who had for his assistants Bros. P.M.T. Stapleton, S. P. Craig, Kerr, Walker, M, .Sandstein, and Bergh, D.C., of Canterbury Lodge. These brethren discharged their duties most satisfactorily. The whole funeral arrangement, so far as the Masonic part was concerned, was under the supervision of W.M. Bro. Jubal Fleming, Canterbury Lodge. The following was the order of procession Tiler of the Canterbury Lodge, with drawn

Visiting brethren, not belonging to any lodge in Canterbury. W.M. Bro. C. J. Barker and officers and brethren of the i orinthian Lodge, LG. W.M. Bro. Smith and officets and brethren Thistle Lodge, S.C , Ashburton. W.M. Bro. Shearman and officers and brethren Somerset Lodge, E.C , Ashburton. W.M. Bro. J. L. Fleming and officers and brethren Robert Burns Lodge, S.C. Officers and brethren of Winchester Lodge, E.C. W.M. Bro. Fletcher and officers and brethren Canterbury Kilwinning, S.C., Lyttelton. Officers and bretln’on Akaroa Lodge, E.C. W.M. Bro. Webb and officers and brethren Lodge of Progress, E.C., Soutbbridse. Officers and brethren St. John’s Lodge, E. 0., and Caledonian, S.C., Timaru. W.M. Bro. ulatthows and officers and brethren Southern Cross Lodge, E.C., Kaiipoi. W.M. Bro. Er. C. Bishop and officers and brethren St. Augustine Lodge, E.C. W.M. Bro. P. Cunningham and officers and brethren Lodge of Unanimity, E.C., Lyttelton. Companions of Canterbury Kilwinning Royal Arch Chapter, lob, S.C. W.M. Bro. Jub.il Fleming and officers and members Canterbury Lodge, E C. D. Dist. G M., Bro. H. Thomson, suppor ed by Dist. G. Deacons Bros. Tombs ani Anderson. Dist. G. Chaplain Bro. Rev. De Berdt Hovcll and Bro. Rev. W. E. Paige. The officers and members of each lodge walked in the following order: — Til ir. Stewards with rods. Master Masons. Treasurer and Secretary. Senior and Junior Wardens. Past Masters. Wor.-hipful Master,' In the Canterbury Lodge Bro. T. Shailer, as the oldest member, immediately preceded the master, carrying the bible, square and compasses on cushion. The Body (borne on a bier by the following P.M.’s, assisted by Royal Arch Masons) : P. M. Willcox ' P.M. Smith P. M Grant P. M. Mitchell P. M. Dudley P.M. Mird P. M. McLellan P. M. Seymour P. M. Milsom P. M. Rentoul P. M. Alport 1 P M. Zeislcr Mourners and Private Carriages. The usual Church of England Service, chorally rendered, was then performed in the Mortuary Chapel, and at the grave, by Revs. Do Berdt Hovell and W. E. Paige. At the conclusion of this the Masonic service was performed hy Bro. Rev. W. E. Paige. The choral portion of the Masonic service was rendered by a choir led by Bro. IT. E. Towle, organist St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church, who presided at the harmonium. The choir comprised Bros. John Marshall, E. Hobbs, Ellisdon, Fnnston, Comovford, and Walton, &c. At the conclusion of the service, the brethren formed round the grave, throwing in evergreens. The procession then re-formed, and returned to the Canterbury Lodge.