THE LATE T. E. TAYLOR.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 1024, 1 August 1911, Page 4

THE LATE T. E. TAYLOR.

Christchurch, Sunday. In the presence of a great gathering of Christchurch citizens, the mortal remains of the late Mayor, Mr T. E. Taylor, M.P., were to-day laid to rest. Around the marshalling area, along the line of route, and outside and within the cemetery gates the people massed, all anxious to have a part in paying the last great tribute to the departed head of the citv-.

The cortege was perhaps the largest of its kind yet seen in Christchurch.

Early this morning the casket containing the body ot the late Mayor was brought from the residence on Cashmere Hills to the City Council buildings, and there placed on a black draped table in the big Council Chambers, opposite the Mayoral chair and within the horse shoe area, bounded by the table used at Council meetings.

The interior of the Chamber was heavily draped in black, while all around, on tables covered with white cloths, were arranged the multitude of wreaths which, since Saturday morning, had poured into the office.

At 10.30 the big crowd assembled outside commenced to file quietly and steadily in. As they reached the top of the stairs the people entered the Chamber filed round the body within the horse shoe area, viewed the casket and the wreaths and left by the small door at the south end.

The long stream ot citizens’ continued without interruption up to 1 o’clock, when the doors were closed.

By 2 o’clock all the citizens carriages in the official section of the procession were in position. The choir and the Linwood Band were stationed on the east side oi the terrace, opposite the Council Chambers, and the units composing the head of the procession were in their places. The band played one of Mr Taylor’s favourite hymns, ” The Day Thou Gavest, Lord, is Ended,” and the assembled choirs,

under the leadership of Mr Simpson, leader of the St. Albans Methodist Church choL, sang the hymn through. A few minutes later the casket, borne by members of the City Council, was brought down from the chamber and placed on the open hearse. Then the choir sang the late Mayor’s favourite hymn, “ O Lord, Who by Thy Presence hast made Light,” and at the close the long cortege moved off, the prevailing silence being broken only by the slow tolling of church bells.

The procession was about two miles long. In the carriages in the official section were members of the family of the late Mr Taylor, the Acting-Prime Sir James Carroll, and other Ministers and members of the Legislative Council and House of Representatives, also the full membership of the City Council, and representatives of practically all the other local bodies and different organisations.

A striking feature of the procession was the presence on loot of about 2,000 men belonging mostly to trades’ unions, all the local unions having representatives. His Excellency the Governor was also represented at the funeral. Alt along the line of route the people crowded. There was another big crowd in the locality of the cemetery, outside the gates, but the utmost orderliness prevailed.

At the graveside the scene was most solemn. The service was conducted by the Rev. L. M. Isitt, Rev. C. H. Garland, Rev. C. H. Laws and Rev. S. Henderson. “ Lead Kindly Light,” one of Mr Taylor’s favourite hymns, was sung and Rev. C. H. Laws offered up appropriate prayer. Rev. L- M. Isitt, in the funeral oration, referred to the outstanding features of the life of Mr Taylor, and said one of the lessons of his life was that they should struggle on for Christ likeness in word, thought and spirit. Addressing Mr Taylor’s comrades in arms he urged them to greater efforts, so that the hope of Mr Taylor’s life, should be consummated, and the people of New Zealand freed for ever from the degrading influence of drink.