VICTIMS OF WAIROA TRAGEDY

Southland Times, Issue 24833, 27 August 1942, Page 4

VICTIMS OF WAIROA TRAGEDY

Funeral Service At Wellington (P.A.) WELLINGTON, August 26. A congregation that overflowed the Salvation Army Citadel in Wellington attended the funeral service this afternoon for Brigadier Annie Smyth and her sister, Miss Rosamund Smyth, who were found murdered at Wairoa. The service was conducted by the territorial commander of the Salvation Army in New Zealand, Commissioner J. Evan Smith, who said in his address that the motive of the sisters’ assailant was not known, but it appeared to have been some vindictive person who had resented Brigadier Smyth’s denunciation of sin. All knew how she attacked evil when she found it. Sne was an officer who had won esteem not only throughout New Zealand, but also in other Dominions by her devotion. She might as well be regarded as a martyr for the cause of Christ as the misisonaries who had died throughout the ages. Miss Rosamund Smyth was kind (unassuming and gracious and a respected member of the Wellington City Corps. Commissioner Smith expressed sympathy for their relations. The congregation included the Attorney-General, the Hon. H. G. R. Mason.

AIR CASUALTIES (P.A.) WELLINGTON, August 26. The following members of the R.N.Z.A.F. serving overseas are reported casualties (the rank is sergeant unless otherwise stated): — Dunn, K. G., killed on air operations; mother, Mrs S. M. Dunn, Whangaret. Hopkins, A. L., killed in aircraft accident; mother, Mrs W. Hopkins, Greymouth. Portman, S. L., killed in aircraft accident; father, Mr A. Portman, Dunedin. Randall, Fliglit-Sgt M. W., killed in air operations; wife, Mrs R. Randall. Christchurch. Harrop, N. C., previously reported dangerously injured, now removed from dangerously injured list; Hamilton. McGill-Brown, J., previously reported seriously ill, now removed from seriously ill list; Auckland. Lawless, Olive Tui Mate (W.A.A.F.), seriously ill; mother, Mrs F. Lawless, Swanson.