FUNERAL OF THE LATE KENNETH KERR.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 36, 10 January 1884, Page 2

FUNERAL OF THE LATE KENNETH KERR.

Tsr remains of the above well-known and deeply-regretted gentleman were home to their last resting-place, in our little oeraetry, yesterday afternoon. About two o'elook the coffin was borne from the scene of his late suffering by a few mourning friends snd placed in the hearse. Ae the vehicle moved away a large concourse of friends who had known and admired the departed in life now followed hie remains to the grave, as a last tribute to his memory. The cavalcade consisted of a long line of vehicles and mounted equestrians. On arriving at the cemetry, which is about three miles distant, the coffin was taken on the shoulders of the bearers and a procession formed, headed by the Bev, J, Hui, who in his usual impressive and earnest tones read the words of our beautiful funeral service, commencing: “ I am the resurrection and the life eaith the Lord ; he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.” On arriving at the grave the coffin was lowered to its narrow home. Ac the solemn tones of the divine fell on the ears of those standing around the grave, many of the heads bowed low, most features showed the intensity of the feeling within, and many fully realised ths truth of those words " man that is born of a woman hath but a short time to live, and is full of misery. He cometh up and is cast down like a flower; he fleeth as it were a shadow, and never continueth in one stay.” After the hopeful, comforting words “ I heard a voice from Heaven saying unto me, Write from henceforth blessed are the dead which die in the Lord,” the responses *• Lord have mercy upon us " and the Lord's prayer were earnestly and fervently joined in by all present. At the conclusion of the service several friends leaned over the grave, and, casting a handful of earth on the coffin, took a last and longing look before leaving. Amongst those standing around were Messrs. Finneran, Bennett, Cooper, Graham, Matthews, Woon, Joyce, Lewis, McKay, Mogridge, Dr. Leggst, Grey, Hardy, Ward, Dickson, Wilson, Cuming, Berry, snd many others. The coffin-plate bore the inscription, “Kenneth Kerr, died Jan 8, aged 44.” The deceased was highly respected by all members of the community as a man of great courage aud ability, and during his long and painful sufferings the bravery and fortitude which had always characterised him through life in every action, and which earned tor him the respect of even hia enemies, never for one moment deserted him. Before we close these few lines we cannot do ether than pay a well-earned tribute to the lady who is left to mourn his loss—nay rather let us use the more beautiful term " woman," for a true and faithful woman she proved herself through the long and trying months of his suffering. Night and day she has attended him with a tenderness, care, and devotion seldom witnessed and never excelled. We, in conjunction with many others, sympathise most deeply with the widow in her greet affliction. Ths deceased leaves two little daughters of tender agO' i