LATE LORD BALFOUR

Hokitika Guardian, 24 March 1930, Page 5

LATE LORD BALFOUR

PATHETIC FUNERAL INCIDENTS

(United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—'Copyright).

LONDON, March 22

The simplest rites characterised Lord BnJfourVs funeral at the private burial ground at Whittingliainc in the shadow »/ the Lammernniir Hills

while the nation was honouring him at; Wes tin ill i s ter All bey. There were other services held at Edinburgh Cathedral .and at Cambridge University Church. Resides his own people, who came to see the Laird of Whittinghame buried, the only persons present at the church there were only his immediate relatives, including the aged and feeble Miss Balfour ,whu was for long her brother’s hostess. She lias been completely broken up by bis death. The service was conducted by the

Rev. Marshall Lang, brother of tfte Archbishop of Canterbury (who was participating in the Westminister Abbey service.) while the village schoolmaster played the “Dead March” on a tiny harmonium, six of the oldest servants of the estate carried the white-palled coffin to a farm waggon which was drawn by cart horses, on which the last journey was made trough Lord Balfour’s favourite walk along lanes past the institute and bowling green which Lord Balfour presented to the village. When the coffin was lowered into the grave, Miss Balfour was lifted from her invalid chair Then, assisted by relatives ,she walked slowly to the grave and sat down on the excavated clay, whence she showered snowdrops from a basket on to the coffin, sobbing bitterly. The family followed, each sprinkling snowdrops. Hundreds of wreaths came fromm all parts of the world. They included one from Mr T. M. Wilford, inscribed • “A tribute from New Zealand to a great Empire Statesman.” Those at the graveside included a company of Japanese students from Edinburgh, who had asked permission to pay their personal respects to the dead Earl.

AT WESTMINISTER

LONDON, March 22. Lord Balfour’s sister, the Dowager

.ady Rayliegh’s sorrow caused a poig-

nant incident at the service at Westminister Abbey. The Dowager Lady Rayleigh, although she was urged not to attend, owing, to ill health, sat in a bath chair near the choir stalls. While the choir were singing “ I Know That My Redeemer Liveth,” her head fell forward, her shoulders shook, and she raised a thin white hand appealingly. A woman knelt beside her. Lord Dawson left his place, hurried forward, and took Lady Rayleigh’s hand and raised her head. Then sh smiled, clasped her hands, and remained motionless until the service was ended.

There was a great congregation, who included the Duke of York, representing the King, also Britain's most prominent statesman, and representatives of the services, ambassadors, foreign powers, scientists, businessmen, and all branches of public life.