HIS LATE MAJESTY THE KING

Taupo Times, Volume I, Issue 6, 20 February 1952, Page 1

HIS LATE MAJESTY THE KING

MEMORIAL SERVICES At 11 a.m. on Friday last a menu orial service to the late King was held in St. Andrew's Church, Taupo, there being a crowded congregation, indluding the Deputy-iChairman of the Town Board,' Mr J. D. Swan, members of the board and ihe Town Clark, Mr S. Torepe. Following observance of the two minutes silence the service was taken by the Vicar, the Rev. C. G. G. Salt, and the lesson was read by the Rev. H. W. Johnston, Cf the Presbyterian Church. In a short and moving address the Vicar referred to the late King's leadership of his people through troubled years, based on his Christian faith, fortitude and devotion to duty, and stressed the call to service that the accession and example of H.M. Queen Elizabeth II presented to all her subjects. The organist was Mrs A. 'Stott, by whom the Church had been beautit'ully decorated with purple hy~ drangeas and lupins and white gypsophila. AT St. PATRICK'S. At St. Patrick^ Church, Taupo, on Sundav, February 10, a circular from His Lordship, J. M. Liston, Bishop of Auckland, was read before a large congregation asking for prayers that God in Hfs mercy might give consolation to the King's family in their intimate personal sorrow and watch over his people in these days of universal sorrow. It had pleased the Supreme Ruler of men and nations to call to Himself the sovereign of a world-wide people, whose burden of vast responsibilities was laid down and whose sou! had returned to its Maker to give an account, as all alike must do, of the fulfilment of tremendous duties. In this hour of grief in which Catholics were united with their fellow citizens such were their first and abiding thoughts. The Bishop then ordained that in order that the faithful might come together in the country*s mourning and offer to God their fervent supplications a mass be offered in every parish church. On the day of His Majesty's funeral, February 15, Holy Mass was offered up at 7 a.m. for that intention by the Rev Father J. de Bree. Sucb an occasion, where members of both Maori and pakeha races are united both in faith and loyalty, may fittingly recall a very ancient Maori saying which may be freely translated "He has gone along the patfy that calls thousands, along the path that beckons millions, along the path that sends back no message."