LONG JOURNEY OVER

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1022, 12 July 1930, Page 10

LONG JOURNEY OVER

BODY OF SIR JOSEPH WARD INVERCARGILL REACHED Press Association INVERCARGILL, Today. The train bearing the body of Sir Joseph Ward steamed into Invercargill last night with muffled whistle blowing, and came to a standstill with the mortuary van opposite the passageway through which the cortege was to pass. With the cessation of the train’s rumble, an eerie silence fell upon the station, while the huge crowd stood with bared heads awaiting the appearance of the cortege. The casket was placed on a guncarriage, and the cortege moved off. led by a guard of honour, with the Southland Pipe Band, of which Sir Joseph had been patron for many years, immediately in front of the gun-carriage, which was followed by the mourners. The procession moved off to the strains of a lament played by the band, and passed through a silent lane of people lining the route to the Basilica. The casket was received into the church by the Bishop of Dunedin, and a short service was held, the church being crowded.

SCENE AT OAMARL CROWD AT STATION Press Association OAMARU, Today. There was an impressive scene on the railway station when the express carrying the body of Sir Joseph Ward drew into the platform. Several hundreds assembled, including boys from St. Kevin’s College. The Mayor, Mr. Frank Crawshaw. expressed his sympathy with the family, and Sir Cyril Ward replied \ The Mayor placed a wreath on the coffin, and the chairman of the Harbour Board and of the County Council did the same. The doors of the mortuary van were I opened wide, and the crowd filed past j the casket, which was covered by a Union Jack and a Maori mat. “A GREAT MINDTRIBUTE AT SYNAGOGUE “Sir Joseph Ward's life . was identified with the growth of New Zealand. He was endowed with a great mind, a broad vision and the gift of political prescience. He was able to feel the pulse and gauge correctly the trend of public opinion; tactful and resourceful, he was a staunch and zealous Imperialist.” In these terms tfee Rev. S. A. Goldstein paid an eloquent tribute to the memory of Sir Joseph Ward, during the course of his sermon at the Syna- j gogue this morning. “Friend and foe are unanimous in their tributes, but the time has not yet arrived for viewing in perspective the value of the work he achieved. The historian will have to do that. The wisdom of many of his schemes may be and indeed often has questioned. Few. however, will question the benefit of his legislation bearing on so many aspects of life and on the well-being of the citizens of New Zealand .” One might say. continued Dr. Goldstein, that the great principle which governed the late Prime Minister was "the'greatest happiness of the-greatest number is the foundation of morals and legislation.” He tfas brimful of the milk of human kindness, broadminded. warm-hearted, sympathetic : and generous—a hard fighter on the i political arena who could not only give but take blows, and bear no malice. The feeling of sorrow his death had evoked was general. His life had been one of long and loyal service to his country.