CIVIC SERVICE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26626, 24 November 1947, Page 4

CIVIC SERVICE

FIRE VICTIMS CITY IN MOURNING GRIEF AND SYMPATHY P.A. CHRISTCHURCH, Nov. 23. Christchurch this afternoon mourned the 41 victims of the fire which destroyed the acre block of J. Ballantyne and Co., Ltd., last Tuesday. One thousand persons filled the Cathedral in the heart of the city, and thousands outside joined in the civic service. All along the three-mile route that the funeral procession took to the Ruru Lawn Cemetery, many thousands stood; It was, perhaps, the greatest crowd ever assembled in Christchurch. The only comparable numbers were on very different occasions—such as the city’s victory celebrations. Yesterday, a great hush descended on the city. The mood of the people expressed both grief for the dead and sympathy with the bereaved. In the centre of the Christchurch Cathedral stood a catafalque. It was draped in a simple white pall, with a golden cross, and was flanked with flowers. In front, was placed a w’reath from the citizens of Christchurch. On either side, it was illuminated by tall white candles. On the right stood Lieutenant D. Loram, representative of the Governor-General. Sir Bernard Freyberg, and behind him were the Prime Minister, Mr Fraser, members of Cabinet and members of Parliament, with 50 representatives of the Government departments. On the left was Mr E. H. Andrews and Mrs Hardy Cookson, the Mayor and Mayoress of Christchurch, with members of the City Council. Sir Patrick Duff, High Commissioner for the United Kingdom, was also present. Nearly 500 next-of-kin filled the space behind. On the other side were about 300 members of the staff of Ballantyne’s. The rest of the Cathedral was filled by about 250 representatives of Christchurch local bodies and organisations and others from centres in many parts of New' Zealand. Many Floral Tributes Some of the crowd which stood in the Square before the givic service wept quietly, but most stood in silence. They watched 14 station wagons, provided by the armed forces, bring 41 coffins into the centre of the Square, where they stood during the service. After the service the clergy and national leaders filed out of the west door to join the funeral procession, while the Cathedral bells were rung in a half-muffled peal. Thdre were 13 large lorries laden with wreaths. Flowers had been sent from all parts of New Zealand, and - all yesterday morning old and young went to the King Edward Barracks to leave the.ir flow'ers. Ministers of the churches who took part in the civic service issued a message to the bereaved: “We realise that in the ordinary way many of you would have much preferred to have had a quiet and simple service in your own church, taking your loved ones to your own place of worship for the the last rites,” the message stated, “ but since in these tragic circumstances this has been impossible, we have placed within the cathedral a form of coffin symbolising—like the grave of the Unknown Warrior—any one of those who have died. This catafalque is draped with a beautiful white pall, enriched with a big golden cross, and it stands in a bower of flowers—the gifts from the community of Christchurch, symbolising the love and sympathy the people of this city have for you in your hour of sorrow. Around it are tall lighted candles, symbolising the Light from Him that is the Light of the World. May He bring you comfort and consolation.” Family Sorrow “ It is as members of a family that we sorrow for them and sorrow for those who are nearest and dearest to them,” said the Primate of New Zealand, Archbishop West-Watson, speaking in the cathedral. “All churches will to-day be gathering around their common resting place as we pay our last tribute to those who so lately were linked with us here as members of our city family and who, as members of God’s family, in Christ, we commend to a Heavenly Father’s gracious keeping. “In this family life of our lovely city, the firm of Ballantyne’s is like an elder brother who for more than 70 years has lived among us, honoured and respected, watching its younger membership grow to maturity and setting them the standard of all that is best in civil and commercial life. They and their staff were so much our friends that, to many of us, this disaster brings personal grief." Archbishop West-Watson referred to the presence of the Mayor and councillors, the representative of the Governor-General, the Prime Minister, Ministers of State, members of Parliament, and the High Commissioner for the United Kingdom. “Their presence,” he said, “reminds us that we are not alone in our sorrow but that the hearts of our fellow countrymen all over New Zealand and beyond its shores are moved by that sorrow. We deeply appreciate their presence and all the messages of sympathy have brought home to us the fact that we are not alone as we face one of the darkest hours in the life of the city of Christchurch.”

at Graveside

After the combined and Roman Catholic burial services at the Ruru Lawn Cemetery, many persons remained to inspect the graves and the profusion of flowers. The full realisation of the tragedy was impressed on those who attended the ceremonies at the graveside. For some of the mourners the strain proved too great and they were assisted away. The public .was deeply conscious of the solemnity of the occasion and the proceedings were conducted in a reverential silence.

The huge semi-circular common grave was strewn with flowers. Hundreds of spectators gathered at the cemetery hours before the cortege arrived and the station waggons, bearing the coffins, drove in the gates. A band played the Funeral March as the bearers brought the coffins to the graveside.