MANY MOURNERS

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 980, 24 May 1930, Page 11

MANY MOURNERS

FUNERAL OF FLYING TRAGEDY VICTIMS CORTEGE MILE LONG From Our Own Correspondent TE AWAMUTU, Friday. A large body of mourners, which filled to overflowing the historic St. John Church, at Te Awamutu, round which lie buried many of New Zealand’s early pioneers, paid homage today to the two victims of the recent airplane tragedy. Members of the Auckland Aero Club were pall-bearers for the late Captain A. W. Saunders, members of the Rovers Football Club performing a similar service for their late club-mate, Mr. Alfred Minchin. Among the mourners were Squad-ron-Leader L. M. Isitt, representing Wing-Commander S. Grant-Dalton, director of the New Zealand Air Service; Mr. C. G. Downes, Mayor of Te Awamutu; Mr.. S. C. Maclty, chairman of the Coucil; members of the Auckland, Hamilton, Te Awamutu, Te Aroha and Cambridge aero clubs, and of the Te Awamutu Returned Soldiers’ Association. The service was conducted by the vicar, the Rev. S. R. Wareiug, assisted by the Revs. W. Butterworth (Presbyterian). W. Wills (Methodist) and C. G. Scrimgeour, an Auckland Aero Club member. While the service was being conducted the sun, which had been hidden by dull clouds earlier, shone forth brightly, and one ray penetrated the church windows to lightly flicker on the flag-draped coffin of Captain Saunders. Seventy cars carried the mourners to the graveside, the cortege being headed by the Te Awamutu Band, being nearly a mile long. The “Last Post” was sounded. A large number of floral emblems was laid on the two graves, which were close together, one wreath being made in the form of an airplane. After the funeral Squad-ron-Leader Isitt, Captain Bloomfield and Mr. Ernest Luks flew in three machines over the cemetery and saluted the graves before flying on to Hamilton.