AUCKLAND MURDER

Hokitika Guardian, 18 October 1933, Page 2

AUCKLAND MURDER

VICTIM’S BURIAL YESTERDAY.

I LARGEST CORTEGE FOR YEARS | {Pet Press • Association, , Copyright). , : AUCKLAND, October 17.. , • Over 200 taxi-cabs,and private motor cars, 1 constituting the largest cortege •iseen'jn Auckland..for many years, took .part in the funeral of James Hunter Blair, who was murdered in his taxidab on Sunday. His colleagues on the taxi. ranks and > the general public •*;jinited- in paying a most impressive tribute to the -nlemory ‘ of Blair. ; Hundreds stood bare-headed and silent as the coffin,,draped in the Union jadk, and adorned with wreaths, was borne from the residence. Long lines df taxi-cabs, disposed along neighbouring streets moved quietly into the procession as the hoarse turned into the‘New North Road, the’ vehicles being' grouped according to the organisation to which they belonged. On the 'radiator cap .of each cab fluttered a strip of black ribbon. : It is estimated that the .procession was “two miles long. At’ nil the main points along the route,.crowds had collected to. pay their respects to the victim of the. murder, the brutality of Which has aroused, wide paiblic indignation. At the cemetery there was another large assemblage. El air was buried, in the soldier 3’ section of the cemetery. Th service was conducted by the Rev, Evan/R. Harris,'of St.

James Presbyterian 'Church ; who, in the course of the graveside prayers', referred to the tragic nature of ’ Blair’s . passing. “Thou kno west, 0 Lord, how our hearts are stirred to syinpathing and to indignation,!’'.he said. “We are mindful of the frailty of life, of its subjection not- only to disease, but also to hatred, and‘even to crime. An enemy hath sown tares where thou has sown wheat. We- remember that the Devil was a, murderer from the beginning. We thank Thee for the magnificent tribute, paid to our brother at this graveside. Have compassion upon his wife and daughters. We pray that our minds may be freed from thoughts of personal revenge. Help 11s to commit our cause to Him who judges- righteously. Give us grace to pray, even fpr him whose, hand has done this four deed, that he may he brought to penitence.” Representatives of the Returned Soldiers’ Association stopped forward and cast into the open,grave replicas of red poppies of Flanders. .