THE LATE MR T. E. TAYLOR

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 31, 31 July 1911, Page 8

THE LATE MR T. E. TAYLOR

IMPRESSIVE FUNERAL CEREMONIES. STRIKING TRIBUTES TO THE DEAD. By Telegraph—Press Association. Christchurch, Last Night.

In the presence of a great gathering of Christchurch citizens, the mortal remains of the late Mayor, Mr. T. E. Taylor, M.l\, were to-day laid to rest. Around the marshalling area, along the line of route, and outside and within the cemetery gates, the people massed, all anxious to have a part in paying the last tribute to the departed head of the city. The morning was overcast, and soft rain fell, and the general air of sadness was most pronounced.

A GREAT CORTEGE. The cortege was perhaps the largest of its kind yet seen in Christclmrch, but the complete arrangements made enabled the (lifl'erent sections to be marshalled anil placed in their proper positions, with every dignity and without confusion. The. head of the procession left at half-past two, and the Selwyn Street Cemetery was reached three-quarters of an hour later, when the service at the graveside was brought to a close. SOLEMN CIVIC FUNCTION. A most solemn civic function took place early this morning. The casket containing the body of the late Mayor was brought from the Cashmere Hills to the City Council building, and there, placed on a black draped building in the big Council Chamber, opposite the Mayoral chair, andwithin the horseshoe area bounded by the table used at the Council meeting's. The interior of the chamber was heavily draped in black, while all around on tables, covered with white cloths, were arranged the multitude of wreaths which since Saturday morning had poured into the office. At half-past ten the main gates to the building were opened, and the big crowd assembled outside commenced to file quietly and steadily in. As they reached the top of the stairs the people entered the chamber and filed round the body within the horseshoe area, viewed the casket and the wreaths, and left by the small door to the south end. THE REVERENT MOURNERS.

The long stream of citizens continued without interruption throughout the whole of t lie morning, and right up to 1 o'clock, when the doors were closed. A change \vu> made in the method of admission followed during the morning, to deal more effectively with the concourse of citizens. The main entrance gates wert closed, and the people were admitted by the door at the south end of the chamber, reached by a small staircase from the outside of the building, the exit being through a door at the rear of the structure. By that means any chance of congestion inside the chamber was thus avoided, for previously it was found that the people could enter faster by the big door than they could leave by the small door, and there was the risk of the chamber being overcrowded. Shortly after 1 o'clock the last person had left, and preparations were then put in hand for the funeral.

STARTING THE PROCESSION. All the cards were taken from the wreaths and collected together by the assistant town clerk, to be handed later to Mrs. Taylor. The wreaths were then removed from the chamber and placed on a special hearse, this hearse following immediately behind the coffin. Such wreaths as could not be placed on the special hearse were arranged on the lamp brackets of the carriages behind. By 2 o'clock all the carriages in the official section of the procession were in position. The choir and the Linwood Band wera stationed on the east side of the terrace opposite the Council offices, and the units composing the head of the procession were in their places. Outside the barricades the people crowded. At twenty minutes past two the band played the tune of one of Mr. Taylor's favorite hymns. "The day thou gavest Lord is ended," and the assembled choir, under the leadership of Mr. Simp-i son, leader of the St. Alban's Methodist! Church Choir, sang the hymn through, accompanied by the band. A few minutes later the casket, borne by members of the City Council, was brought down from the chamber through the main entrance, and placed on the open hearse. Then the choir sang a second hymn, the late Mayor's favorite, "0 Lord, who by Thy presence hast made light," and at the close of this hymn the long cortege moved off, the prevailing silence being only broken by the slow tolling of church bells.

A GREAT PROCESSION. The procession was about two miles long. In the carriage were members of the family of the late Mr. Taylor, the Acting-Prime Minister and other Ministers, and members of the Legislative Council ami the House of Representatives; also the full membership of the City Council and representatives of all the other bodies and various organisations. ° THE WORKERS' TRIBUTE. A striking feature of the procession was the presence on foot of about two thousand men, belonging mostly to trades unions, all the local unions having representatives. His Excellency the Governor was also represented at the funeral. All along the line of route the people crowded", and there was another big crowd in the locality of the cemetery, outside the gates, but the uttermost orderliness prevailed throughout. The whole of the marshalling and progress of the procession, the excellent arrangements made by the Deputy-Mayor, M. J. J. Dougall, l Mr. R. c. Bishop and Police Inspector Xilly contributing to that end. AT THE GRAVESIDE. At the graveside the scene was most solemn. Prominent among those present, in addition to the members of Mr. Taylor's family and relatives, were Sir James Carroll, Acting Premier, the Hon 0. Fowlds and Hon. D. Buddo. The service was conducted by the Rev. L. M Isitt, the Rev. C. H. Garland, the Rev! C. H. Laws and the Rev. S. Henderson. "Load, kindly light," one of Mr. Taylor's fui-orite hymns, was sung, and the, Rev. Mr. Laws offered up an appropriate pi aver.

Mr. Isitt, in his funeral oration,' referred to the outstanding features of the life of Mr. Taylor. He said the lesson of his life was that they should struggle on for Christ-likeness in the world, in thought and spirit. Addressing M.\ 'laylor's comrades in arms, he urged thm to greater efforts, so that the hope of Mr. laylor's lite si Mild be consummated and' the people of New Zealand he freed for ev;r front the degrading influence of strong drink. About 150 wreaths were sent, and these made a striking display in the Council Chamber, while the body was lying in state.

REPRESENTATIVE MEMORIAL , MEETING. Christchurch, List Night. A meeting, attended by representatives of all sections of the community, was held this afternoon to consider the question of starting a memorial fun-1 to tic l.'.tc Mr. T. 10. Taylor. Mr. H. W. Bish'.qi, S.M., prosided, and suited, on the authority of the late Mr. Taylor's solicitor (Mr. C. E. Salter) that Mr. Taylor's mother was practically penniless, and his wife, five daughters and one son were not sufficiently well-off to raise them above the worry of educational and other considerations. It was decided that a memorial fund should be initiated to the late Mayor of Christchurch, Mr. T. E. Taylor, M.P., for the benefit of those dependent on him. It is intended to vest the sum raised in trustees to be appointed. Subsequently a numerous committee, consisting not only of prominent public men in Christchurch, but also in other parts of the Dominion, was set up. Subscriptions to the fund will be received by the town clerk of Christchurch (Mr. 11. R. Smith), by the treasurer of the fund (Mr. C. E. Salter), and by the secretary (Mr. J. McCombs). There was collected in the room the sum of £2(17. The Labor representatives'present stated that they intended contributing through their unions. The Farmers' Union also intend to subscribe through their various branches.

MEMORIAL SERVICES. AT ASHBURTON. Ashburton, Last Night. A "T. E. Taylor" memorial service was held in the Theatre Royal this afternoon under the auspices of the Ashburton No-License Council, and was largely attended. All sections and creeds of the community were represented, and the Mayor and Borough Councillors were officially present. An appropriate sermon was preached by the Rev. W. J. Elliott.

AT WANGANUI. Wanganui, Last Night. Feeling references to the death of I M. T. E. Taylor, M.P., were made in the | [ churches to-day. \ SYMPATHETIC RESOLUTIONS. i Wellington, Last Night. ', At a meeting of the City Men's Bro- , therhood to-day Mr. Edward Tregear ' and Mr. A. W. Hogg, M.P., made feeling , reference to the loss occasioned to social ' reform by the death of Mr. T. E. Taylor. A resolution was passed condoling with the widow and family, and regretting the loss of a capable and self-sacrificing > man. > A resolution of regret and sympathy • was passed yesterday at a meeting of i the Seamen's Union. I MSMORIAL SERVICE. i There was a big gathering at the T. i E. Taylor Memorial Service in the The- . atre 'Royal at the conclusion of the ; church services last night. The Rev. ! J. W. Burton presided, and the various 1 non-conformist ministers, Mr. H. J. H. ; Okey, M.P., and members of the united • choirs, together with several temperI ance workers, were gathered on the . platform.- Mr. G. H. White conducted ■ the choir and orchestra, no-license cam- ! paign hymns being sung. The speakers ■ were the Revs. B. Hutson, of Welling- ■ ton, and R. J. Liddell, of New Plymouth, [(Messrs. H. J. H. Okey, M.P., and C. E. ■ Bellringer. ; The Rev. B. Hutson remarked that the , late Mr. Taylor had been only a private ■ member of Parliament, only a business i man, a man "with a bee in his bonnet," i and a man mad with that idea of prohi- ■ bition, but probably no other man dying . in Christchurch would have been hon- > ored as this man was being honored. ■ He paid a tribute to the late Mr. Tay- ; lor's personal worth and to his selfsacrificing works. The temperance move- ■ inent was respectable to-day because some men had died to kill the drink traffic. He referred to leaders of the No-license movement in New Zealand who had lived the "killing life" that others might live. One of these was the late Mr. Taylor, who ignored the! ' warnings of health, and had given his life for his fellows. The Rev. Hutson 1 quoted Mr. Taylor's message to Labor, that they must link the cause on to religion. So in the temperance cause they must not put Jesus Christ in the background. The speaker referred to the progress of tho No-license movement, and securing of the National Prohibition issue, for which the late Mr. Taylor had given his life, and asked his hearers not to grieve for the departed brother but to follow hard in the path that he had opened out. Let them erect as a monument to him a country which knows no alcohol as merchandise, no licensed poison sold in the name of refreshment. After the singing of a hymn the Rev. R. J. Liddell spoke, referring to the very general and genuine regret 'expressed throughout the Dominion when the telegraph wires brought the message, "T. E. Taylor is dead." New Zealand had lost one of its greatest leaders, a man who had sought to lift the life of New Zealand on to the highest plane. He counted it as an honor to havo known Mr. Tavlor. Mr. Taylor [would be missed in the public eye, for he had moved through the land with marvellous activity, denouncing wrong and persuading men to be true to God and their conscience. He would be missed in Parliament, for he was easily the most remarkable member of it. One thing of which they could be proud was that T. E. Taylor always stood for clean politics, and cast his vote ever on the side of righteousness. He would be i missed in the home, for he was a "home man," and one of the striking features

of his career was the absolute blamelessncss of his home life. He would be missed in tile prohibition ranks, for he was a living denial of the charge that we lived in 1111 age of lowering of ideals. He believed that when the last liquor bar in Xew Zealand had been closed, and the history of the prohibition cause came to be written, the name of the late T. E. Taylor would stand high on the roll of those who had striven to bring about the dawn of this new era. He had made mistakes, of course, for, as the French proverb said, "He who makes no mistakes makes nothing." They sorrowed because he was no more, but the speaker urged his hearers to make Mr. Taylor's dying message their motto, and make "the year 1811 our year of emancipation." The deceased leader would be missed because of his Christ-like example. They would not say good-bye to their friend, brother and fellow-worker, bit ''good-night" only, trusting that in some fairer clime they would bid T. E. Taylor "good morning."

Mr. U. J. IT. Okey, M.L'., said that it was only during the last two years that he had known the late Mr. T. E. Taylor. Prior to that he had not liked the man, but to know him was to admire and love him. Representatives of all shades of politics in Parliament would regret his death.

Mr. C. E. Bellringer paid a warm tribute to his old friend and fellow-worker in the temperance cause, and trusted that his death would nerve the Nolicense workers to redoubled effort The greatest honor they could afford him was to take up the work that his nerveless hand had dropped, and to do it as he would have done it. He moved, ''That this meeting conveys to Mrs. T. E. Taylor our profound sympathy with herself and family in the great bereavement she,has .sustained in the death of her beloved husband. We mourn the loss and reverence the memory of one who, with unquenchable courage and indomitable purpose, through long years advocated and supported the cause of Xo-lieense and National Prohibition. We receive, his dying message with chastened hearts and, Cod being our helper, we will be true to our Cod and our opportunities, and make this year Mill the year of our emancipation." This was seconded by Mr. C. Ahier and carried.

A collection was taken up during the evening to pay expenses, any balance to be devoted to providing for Mrs. Tayllor and her children. In announcing this the chairman gloried in the fact that this great man had died comparatively poor, for that proved his utter sincerity.

IN THE CHURCHES. At (he Whitcley Memorial Church the Rev. Burton paid a striking and eloquent tribute to the memory of the late Mr. Taylor, preaching from the saying of John the Baptist. "I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, mate straight the way of the Lord." The rev. gentleman enunciated the truth that the progress of the human race had been the progress of a few leading men in their generation, whose voices uplifted the people, and who were generally looked upon as fanatics, men far in advance of their fellows. Every great reform was the work of-a few great, earnest, far-seeing men. John the Baptist was a man who set himself against all wickedness, doubleness and sham, a man , of great exaggeration, a man who spoke I not shibboleths but said sharp, biting things, a man impatient and impetuous so that man could scarce hold him, a man who because of these things made possible the coming of the Lord. Tonight, said the preacher, they were thinking of a prophet of their own day, a man with the spirjt of prophecy in his blood, whom the finger of God had touched, a great leader whom God had laid low. He was no priest; he Was a seer, a Utopian thinker, but at the same i time a man who was savagely practical. This was evidenced in the faet that the last great work in which he threw his tremendous activitiees was the cleansing of the streets of Christchurch. The late T. E. Taylor was a man of great faults. He lacked balance, he had not that judgment and that restraint that one would expect to find in a strong thinker and the self-control of an outstanding leader. He did things that we could not help wishing he had not done, and he had said things that perhaps we wished he had not said. But the fact remained that by no event since the I death of that great Premier, Richard Seddon, had the people of New Zealand | been so touched as by The death of Mr I.E. Taylor. He had lived a manly life and died a manly death, and the people honored him for it. They honored him for his death. The manner of it showed the sincerity of the man. He had cringed before no mortal enemy, and when the end came he had cringed, not before the great destroyer, Death, The feeling expressed throughout the Dommjon was a tribute to New Zealand, ito 3 tlmt ™i Stm ■ howd «>e knee to manliness, goodness, and unselfishness, lie rev. gentleman then dwelt on Mr. Taylor g Ktymig messages, and particularly on that, "I have tried to live an m, «MW» life." An u„s* lfifi h m " great and true life, and a happjone He spoke straight-men in earnelt had naked truth. He referred to Mr TWtorti sincerity, his p l uck , and , his to the end. The man had gone and the low of such qualities would oe S by the nation. After preaching on tV necessity for work, Mr. Burton conlnW loyally, there weere as a reward the wreathof immortality and theMastert LoX'» thOU ' nto the iV tliy

Special 'hymns were sun* nnA «... 1 • J«d,a.,,„ n , e ,,,„,, 5h ~™««r ».li«t oftte add«„ .J iS",JJ: 'Mr F r"1r momente Quickly flying." £w «-n ! as ? ra ' )ed in ««*. whicfc TwLj ceed ' impressive. The Good Templars attended the sterviee litZI itZr ° y . Primitive Methodist