THE LATE MR MASSEY

Hokitika Guardian, 14 May 1925, Page 3

THE LATE MR MASSEY

THOUSANDS I’ASS JUKI*. AIK AIASSKV’S OBSEQUIES. JCBTIULUN AND N.Z- (MHLB ASSOCIATION. W EDUNDTON, Miiy 1.1. Te-day tln* hotly of New Zealand's ivicst devoted servant lay in state at I’nrhfirnent Buildings, and many thousands passed reverently I>y the rails of the liier on which I lie casket lay, lovingly guarded by two soldiers and sailors with heads hawed and rifles reversed. The Icier was surrounded hy flora! tributes of the choicest Hewers that the lloininion could produce. while hundreds of others poured in all through the day.

The total nnmhcr ran into thousands. They came from high and low, rich and poor, the highest in the Kmjiire to hiituhle cottages in the country distric ts of the Dominion. The Dominion's sorrow is deep. The bereaved family's is deeper, hut the wonderful expressions of .sympathy that have come from all parts of the wurid have done much to ease the [uin of parting;. To-morrow morning from 10 to 12 o'clock the public will have i lie opportunity to |ay a l:is( tribute of respect. and to see the glorious mountain of (lowers that have been received. At olio o'clock a solemn procession will leave the Parliament grounds. it will pass through the heart of the city, and thence over Constable Street to Point Hit Is well. On the adjoining heights, thousands <d' citizens will assemble to hid adieu to one who rose from the ranks to hold the highest honour it is in the power of the Dominion to bestow. There will lie many full hearts to-morrow, and while his mortal remains are laid in mother earth, the thoughts of all will turn to that gentle lady, whose life partner he hits been, and to whom (die has licen a devoted wife. .Mrs M assey nntl family, having cx--1 ressed their desire that there should he a Masonic service at the crave, arrangements have therefore been made to enable the Masonic brethren to conduct a service. The brethren at. the grave will lie confined to the Dram' Is aloe Officers and the Kev. Brother Shires will officiate.

Con versing with a ‘‘New Zealand Times” reporter, .Mr Bob Semple (dated that, all the time he was in c position to Mr Massey he admired his hard fighting and his clean and fearless methods. “Me hit hard, and lie hit straight,’' said Mr Semple. “He was a lighter, and one scrapper admires another.’’

N.Z. HOBBY ONION’S TKIBITZ. WHLI.I NDTON. May 111. The New Zealand Rugby I'nion Executive met to-nighf. and passed a resolution placing on record its recognition and appreciation id the life work of Mr Massey, and its deep sense of the loss to New Zealand and the Empire by bis death. Air Dean paid a tribute, to Mr Massey's interest in. and his help given to the All Blacks during their tour abroad. SI K d. CK A ID’S Kri.ODY. LONDON, May 12. Sir .fames Craig, speaking in the Ulster Parliament, said that Mr Massey's whole soul was centred in the people of New Zealand, bill nevertheless lie had a warm place in his heart for his native eotnilry. ’I hey mourned a. distinguished Ulsterman whom all loved. X! 1.0 \Y KIIY AY DAT I IKK TO-DAY. WELL! NOTON. May If. The weather at It a.ni. was sliowery, hut warm. It, is estimated that, some twenty thousand persons visited I’arlianieut House yesterday, to pay their last respects to the Prime Minister,

1-TimiKK APPR K( T ATf ON. WEIJ-INGTOX. May It. Among the appreciations published are two by the Speakers ol hotlt Mouses. [|on. Oarncross lays stress on Mr .Massey’s fairness, and the fact that he was the only Prime .Minister who ever called to the Council men opposed to him in politics. Me did much to raise the prestige of the Council. Mr SLatliam speaks of his capacity for work and unswerving loyalty to tl»o King and Country.

lIKAYY ItAIX SKIS IS. WKI.r.IXCTOX, May IT Heavy rain set in at 10 o'clock and tho prospect is that the weather "id |,o had for the final obsequies of the late Mr Massey.

Throughout the mnniing, messcii-uim-h carrying lloral tributes wended their way to Parliament Mouse. There was nil enormous inimher ol wreaths. t!ie floral testimony to the memory ol the dead Prime .Minister being magnificent. Messages of condolence are still being received. Despite the rain many hundreds passed by the catafalque this morning to pay their last respects to the (lead. All simps and business places are closed, and only necessary work is being carried on. "WEATHER KURORT. WKI.IJNGTOX, May IT Heavy rain set in at 10 a.in., but it is lighter now i'll a.in.) and the "Weather Bureau reports there is very slight prospect of it clea.'ing during the afternoon. AT HOKITIKA. The town observed a close holiday to-day as a mark of mourning to the memory of the late Prime Minister. The whole of the business places, banks and Government offices were closed. 'Phe day was wet and sombre, and the streets were deserted. The hells tolled out at l o’clock for a period of ten minutes and at o'clock a memorial service was held in the Princess Theatre. where there was a good atton--1 dance.

THE CAST RESTING PI-ACT POINT HAI.SWET.T-.

A place with a history closely associated with the history of New Zealand is Point Hulswell, the spot which has beem chosen for the last resting place of the late Prime Minister. Records of the colony in the early Torties provide material for a romantic nod interesting story. The point was named after one of the earliest arrivals in A'ew Zealand. Edmund Sterr Tlnlswell. who landed in Wellington as far tick ns 18-10, having made the passage by the good ship Lady Xagent. Air Halswell was nominated as one ot three senior Justices appointed by Governin' Hobson when the first Executive Council was formed on Alay T 18-M. M hen lie arrived in Xew Zealand Mr TUIs-, v,eli carried letters from l-nnl Tdiu Russell, a .Minister in the Home Government. AY hen Governor Holwon visited Wellington a little later Air Tlnlswell was appointed Sub-protector of Aborigines, a post be held until he was appointed a .Judge of the Supreme Court. He held the position of Judge until superseded by Arc Justice Chapman. father of Sir Frederick Chapman' who recently retired from the Supreme Court Bench. Air Tlalswell lived in Wellington for very many years, in the vicinity of Happy Valley,

where lie built a house of an old English design.

Apart from its association with the beginning of New Zealand Point llalswll has also played a part in the defeme of Wellington and mention of the, spot at once brings to mind tno days when the IDi-sian scare of IVSf, caused New Zealand to look to Jier defences. In that year work was commenced on the glinpit at the Point, and tlm first oielit-imh gun was mounted there. Alter two mid a half years it was found difficult to -or lire a solid foundation, and it, became necessary to i oiierete the nil. In this comevtion |l K interesting to record that the engineer in charge of the work was Mr \ I), I Jell, a brother of Sir T'ran'Ys Bell, who i- at present Acting-Prime Minister. Stretching across the harbour from He- Point was a minefield, which had been laid in expectation of that Russian invasion which, fortunately did not materialise. Records show- that the lir.-t idiot from the gun was fired m Iblll. and ibis it is stated, had the effect of smashing windows and In nips within a nidi us of half a mile. The old gun was

mounted last week, and rolled down to tRe beach, below, find to-day it is being taken to pieces and finally tlisncsed of.

The Point boldly jut- out. into Ihe harbour. an I is the most prominent feature on that shore. The approem to the graveside is sleep and the roadway around the foreshore so narrow that the traffic problem oil the e.v.l----,.i.,ii of the funeral has eau-ed mm ii Hr.tight and elaborate arrangement, (nee the elevated site is reached there

~,,, extensive view ol Wellington and its harbour, with the ilutt Valley and the lofty peaks 'I 1 Tararua mountains in lie* ninth.