MR MASSEY’S FUNERAL

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, 16 May 1925, Page 9

MR MASSEY’S FUNERAL

SEVENTY THOUSAND SPECTATORS

By releyrnpli—Press Association,

WELLINGTON, May 15. The arrangements for yesterday’s funeral passed off without a hitch throughout, despite the length of the procession, which included about three hundred motor-cars and eight large lorries laden with floral tributes; and the great amount of organisation needed to handle the traffic and in tho allocation of the cars to the respective interests represented (especially in view of the heavy rain immediately preceding tho start). It is estimated that fully seventy thousand people viewed the procession on tho way to ,Point Halswell. It certainly seemed- as if threequarters of Wellington’s population was in the streets. All were most reverent in mien, and there was an entire absence of untoward incident. Ambulances were placd at intervals along the route, but their services were fortunately not required.

MAORIS’ ELOQUENT FAREWELL

By Teletrrnph—Press .Association

WELINGTON, May* 15. The Maori farewell ceremony in Parliament Buildings prior to the beginning of the Pakeha rites was generally conceded by those privileged to be present to be the most impressive part of the whole proceedings. Tho wonderful eloquence, clothed in the beautiful words gf the Native poet's mind, threw all the' white man’s orations into the shade of cold formality by contrast. Tho chiefs breathed love and reverence for “The White Chief” gone to rest, and thankfulness for the benefits the Native race had reaped through his labours.

TRIBUTE BY LEVELS COUNTY

COUNCIL

At a special meeting of the Levels County Council yesterday the chairman (Mr T. B. Garrick) referred in sympathetic terms to the death of the late Prime Minister. Mr G.arrick said than Mr Massey had been a man among men—one who had stood out as an Imperialist, and whose equal New Zealand had never before seen. Looking back, they would remember that when he had become Leader of the Opposition he did not have more than a comparatively few followers., and the way he had fought his wav up mid filled the high and honourable position of Prime Minister for the past thirteen years showed that he must have been a wonderful man.

It was proposed by Mr Donald Grant, and seconded by Mr R. G. Gleland: —■ “That this Council records its sincere regret at the death of. the Right Hon. tlio Prime Minister (W. P. Massey); expresses its deep appreciation of the great work which lie did on behalf of New Zealand and the Empire, and o fie ns to Mrs Massey and inemb»i-s of her family its most sincere sympathy in her irrepariable loss. And that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Mrs Massey.”