The Late Major Parris.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 220, 21 September 1904, Page 2

The Late Major Parris.

MILITARY FUNERAL. The esteem in which the late Mujor Harris was held by those of our eurly settlers who wero associated with him in the stirring days of the Maori troubles, was amply demonstrated by the large attendance at the funeral yesterday. In deference to a known wish of the deceased gentleman the ceremony was a military one, and the lopul corp's turned out in force to do honour to one who had served his country so well. The volunteers paraded at the Drill Hull, under ilajor Okey, the corps represented beingTaranaki Hities, under Captain Weston and Lieutenant

Captain Mills and Liou tenant Mesixjnger; Waitara Kifles, Captain Ur »y; and Inglewood Rifles, Captain Leech. Lieutenant-Colonel Ellis, olticcr commanding the district, was also on parade, iiia staff officers ibeing Captain and Uuartermastur Cock und Captain an<l Adjutant Malone. Naturally the veterans turned out in groat force amongst those present iboing Cap-

tal ; T ' s „, blandish, J. H. Armstrong, and lhos. Wilson, Lieutenants (j. M. Ivyn®don and i)avies, Sergieaints N. Golding and J. JJulHn, and MeaSis K. Okey, C. Tunibridge, T Furl(>n S. s«n., John Northcotej Williams, J. Hoskins, W. Jl. Scott n. , n MoV M' l< ?' Walkor - J - Handy, J.' 0 JDonnell, S. Allen, C'ronin, H Hooker, and J. (J. George ' In the cortege were many prominent men

ol the town, including the May 0 r (Mr K. Cock) who was one of Major J arris lellow-commiussioners of the harbour board sinking fund, and tinchairman of the harbour board (Air , B '. Connptt), At leaving the house IB iiawson Street, the Garrison Hand, under JJandmaster J Gordon, pl fl yed "The ile n d March i" Saul,", the whole parade acting

asalirmg party. The ibearens were old lriends and of the Major's, Messrs A. Standish, 0. Samuel H. Weston, VI. 11. Skinner, W. I). Webster, and W. L. Newman On arrival at St. Mary's a short service was held in ttae churoh by (lie Hov. F. G. Evans, assisted By

the Rev. p. A. iiennett, who delivered m impress'ivo panegyric, emphasising the cordiftl relations existing between Major p ß rris and tho native race, dwelling on the sense of loss felt by the Maoris. The preacher pointed out thiat the custom of wearing the branches of tho Jvawakawa tree had a doublo sdgniflcftnce, ■lt that tho bitter tasite of the leaves typiluvi the pang* of parting while the green .boughs signified that the memory of tho departed would ever remain fresh i n the hearts of the mourners. The old feeling of hostility had long since given place mi° nC 180011 comradeship. i The Iflst scene of tt H was tho I Wing of - three volleys' over the grave the soldier's lvqu-iem—the band vZCp* tbe " Hymn °< the !