CHURCH PIONEER

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 311, 26 August 1932, Page 5

CHURCH PIONEER

LATE REV. F. H. SPENCER LAID TO REST AT KARIHI The ohsequies of the late Rev. Fredericlc Hamilton Spencer, which took place yesterday were largely attended, particularly by the older Maoris of the district, who had known the deceased for many years and by their attendance were paying their last • tribute to his memory. The popularity which he had enjoyed was also evidenced by the number of other mourners who attended the services. During the morning an impressive service was held in St. Luke's Church, at Ohinemutu, the Rev. Archdeacon F. W. Chatterton, assisted by three Maori ministers, Rev. M. Eruini, Rev. M. Tumatahi and Rev. Tureiapuha, conducting the ceremony. Addresses were given by Archdeacon Chatterton and the Rev. Eruini. The Arclideacon, in the course of his address, referred to his personal acquaintanceship with the deceased during the past 50 years, and his knowledge of the many characteristic good works done by him during this period. During the service a number of hymns were sung by the Maori choir. At 2 p.m., the cortege left the church, followed by cars and two buses, for the mausoleum erected by the deceased at Kariri, on Lake Tarawera. As the procession passed through the town, heads were bared and traffic stopped as a tribute to the memory of an early church pioneer. Arriving at Lake Tarawera, the followers, totalling about 100 persons, transferred to two lauhches and the ashes of the deceased were conveyed on their last journey across the lake to the site of the mausoleum at Kariri. The service at the mausoleum was conducted by Rev. Archdeacon Chatterton, the large congregation assembling round one side of the tomb. Following the singing of Maori hymns, the casket containing the ashes was placed inside the mausoleum, the service ending with the hymn "Lead Kindly Light" and the pronouncing of the benediction by the Archdeacon.