THE LATE PREMIER.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4829, 13 May 1925, Page 2

THE LATE PREMIER.

CEREMONY AT SCHOOL.

CONDOLENCE FROM SCHOLARS.

The news of the death of the Rt. Hon. W. F. Massey. Prime Minister of New Zealand, has been received with unfeigned regret, and expressions of sympathy with his relatives and the Dominion have been received from all parts of the Empire. The State funeral is to take, place-to-morrow afternoon at Fort Haswell, Wellington, a, point overlooking the harbour, which has been specially set aside and proclaimed a burial place. His Worship the Mayor (Mr W. Marshall), accompanied by Cr. H. J. Hare, visited the Paeroa District. High School on Monday morning. The headmaster (Mr G. H. Taylor) had the pupils drawn up in hollow square formation in front of the main building. from which the flag was flown al half-mast.

in an impressive but simply-word-ed address the Mayor explained to the pupils the great loss that the Dominion and the whole Empire had sustained by the death of the Rt. Hon. W. F. Massey. The speaker dwelt on the outstanding qualities and characteristics of the late Prime Minister and pointed out how he had believed and lived up to the gospel of hard work, tasks undertaken being thoroughly pursued and completed. The great Imperial spirit, of the late Mr Massey was spoken of, and how his forceful character and clearness of vision had made him so beloved and respected hi the eyes of the Englis.ispeaking world. The speaker counselled the children to try and follow out the great ideals of their Tate Premier, who had unbounded faith in the piosperity and future welfare of the Dominion.

A resolution of (sincere sympathy with Mrs Massey and her family was passed by the scholars, and the Mayor was asked to convey the resolution to the proper quarters in Wellington. At the conclusion of the address the flag was raised and duly saluted, and the National Anthem was sung, after which the flag was lowered to halfmast again.

Ak no definite instructions had been received from the authorities a holiday was not proclaimed.

TO-MORROW’S ARRANGEMENTS.

The schools under the direction if the Auckland Education Board will observe a whole holiday to morrow, and also the banks, solicitors’ and Government offices. His Worship the Mayor, with the co-operation of the various ministers, has arranged for a public memorial service to be held in the Gaiety Theatre, commencing at 2.15 p.m. Business people are requested to close their premises at noon.

This morning the Mayor received a telegram from Sir Francis Bell which stated that. Ministers of the Crown would appreciate it if all classes of the community would discontinue all activities for ten minutes from 1 p.m. to-morrow. Arrangements have been made for the sounding of the Mill whistle as a signal at 1 p.m. and again at 1.10 p.m. It is earnestly hoped that resident; will comply with the request of the Acting-Prime Minister in this reaped, and also that as many as possible wifi attend the public memorial service at the theatre.