THE LATE MR. OKEY.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 September 1918, Page 6

THE LATE MR. OKEY.

DABGE AND RETOE&E^TAmyj; 1

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The funeral of the late Henry J. H. ; Okey, M.P., which took place on Satur-j day afternoon, was one of the largest,, and probably the most representative,! ever seen in New Plymouth. The cor-i tegc left the residence of Mrs Stohr,! Devon Street West, at 2 p.m.. and was a lengthy one, reaching from (Morley street to past the (Post Office- The casket was borna to the hoarse and from the hearse to the graveside by Messrs CCarter, J. C. Morey, C. E. Bellringer, J. S. Connett, J. Gibson, and W. Ambury. Immediately following the carriages in ivhich the close relatives of the deceased rode, came the Ministerial car, with the Hon. Sir James Allen (Acting-<Prinic Minister and Minister of Defence;) aim

the Hon. D 11. Guthrie (Minister of Lands). Other of the Legislature present were the Hon. W. C. F. Carncross, ML.C, Mr C. A. Wilkinson, MP., and Mr W. T. Jennings, M.P. Following these came representatives of local bodies, including the members of the Taranald County Council; New Plymouth Borough Council, New Plymouth Harbor Board, Taranaki Education Board, Taranaki Agricultural Society, Taranaki Chamber of Commerce, and Slip Taranaki Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, also a contingent of Veterans and Returned Soldiers. Following the representatwes of public bodiees, came citizens from .every section of the community and representing all shades of political opinions,' whose presence betokened the recognition of services faithfully performed in the interests of the whole district-

The route taken was along Devon Street. All the business premises in

town were closed during the hour of the funeral, and large crowds of people lined the route, bearing silent testimony to tho high esteem in which the deceased was held.

The service at the grave-side was conducted by the Rev. W. A. Sinclair (Methodist), minister of the'church, of which the late Mr. Okey was a member, and the Veu. Archdeacon Evans. The service was made most impressive by a panegyric delivered by the Rev, W- A. Sinclair, and at the conclusion a portion of the hymn "Abide With Me" was sung. The benediction was pronounced by the Rev. W, CannelL

A large number of beautiful floral tributes were sent by friends, and these covered the hearse, and were afterwards placed on the grave.

At the Stratford A. and P. Association's meeting on Saturday, a vote of condolence was passed to Mm Okey and family in the death of Mr. H- J. H. Okev, M.P. for Taranaki. Mr. Boon, president, remarked that although MrOkev did not get into the limelight as a politician, he was a sterling workers—indeed, one of the best in Dominion politics. He had greatly assisted Mr. O. A. Wilk'nson, member for Egmont, in looking after the Stratford electorate during Captain Sine's> | b3ence at the front. The motion was carried in silence, all standing. %