FUNERAL OBSEQUIES

Hokitika Guardian, 31 December 1927, Page 1

FUNERAL OBSEQUIES

THE LATE J. J. KEANE. (Gisborne ‘ ‘Times.’’) d lie funeral of the late Air .1. J. Keane, engineer of the Cook County Council took place, njl sections of the community joining in to pay their last respects to the memory of one who was an esteemed citizen as well as an honoured public servant. The latter fact was first emphasised by the Cook County Council’s gift of a plot in the Alakarakn cemetery adjoining the last resting place of the Hon. W. T). S. MacDonald. In the morning Requiem Mass was celebrated at St. Mary's Church, a large number attending the service, whilst arrangements were made at the Cook County office for fitting observance of the last rites and for tributes to he paid by the councillors, staff and the public. That the late Air Keane was beloved and deeply respected by the whole of his staff is a truism. That was proved beyond all doubt by the gathering of men from all parts of the district to attend the obsequies. Alany of the staff working on jobs well out in the

country came considerable distances to attend the funeral, and one gang walked 2S miles from Hangaroa to Wnerenga-o-kiiri whence they were motored to town, arriving in the early hours of yesterday morning, to he present. Fully fifty of the men as. semilled at the Cook County Council Chambers yesterday morning, where they paid tribute to their late chief. The assembly, which was marked bj a note of deep sincerity and feeling, was presided over by the Chairman of the Cook County Council (Air Chas. Matthews).

An impressive two minutes’ silence as a mark of respect to his memory was carried bv the gathering standing. The funeral was one of the largest witnessed in Gisborne for some years, including over one hundred cars, and | bespoke volumes for the deep sympathy of the whole community, which was reflected in the sympathy which the cortege attracted. The cortege included representatives of both town and country bodies and organisations, among which were the Cook County Councillors, past and present, the Deputy-Mayor and Borough Councillors, Harbour Board, Cook Hospital

Board. Poverty May Power Board Unwa County Council. AVailcoliu County Council, the Public Works Department. and the City Band, in mufti and the Police Department.

A short hut impressive service was conducted in St .Alary’s Church by the Rev. Father Alurphy. and to the Strains of the “Funeral Alarch,” the casket was carried from the church by the following pall-bearers: Alessrs Chas. Afatthews, J. Tontbleson, G. W. .'ilbertson. ]), G. Robertson, A. Guthrie and F. T. Robinson. An unusual honour was bestowed by the men whose desire to take some part in the proceedings was granted by the officials ill charge of the urrangments. Fully one hundred employees on foot, under Air J. Gunn, bridge foreman, as marshall (lie having boon associated with AH Keane on the West Coast before coming to Poverty Bay), headed the cortege, and carried the casket in relays along Lowe Street to Gladstone Road, and up to Grey Street, the procession being marked with the deepest respect front the pedestrian and vehicular traffic in the streets. There the casket was trnnsferrred to the hearse, which was

covered with many beautiful floral emblems. Following the hearse waa a magnificent funeral pyre of wreaths arranged on a Cook County lorry. The length and slowness of the cortege to Grey Street caused many stoppages, and traffic was almost at a standstill. There were fully one hundred ears or more in the procession, a Fact which bore striking testimony to the high esteem in which Air Keane was held. On reaching the cemetery gates the Council employees formed a bodyguard, through the lines of which the coffin and a large number of the mourners passed on their way to the

graveside. The interment service was carried out by the Rev. Father Alurphy, assisted by Fathers Ryan, Brodie and Kelly, and was marked by deep emotion on the part of the large assemblage at the graveside. Just priof to the lowering of the coffin, StAlary’s Church choir, as a mark 08 special respect, sang “Nearer My God to Thee,” which created a deep impression . The deceased was a native of Blue Spur. His mother- resides .ip Pad? Street.,