FUNERAL OF THE LATE MR. GEORGE CLARK.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VI, Issue 312, 13 December 1873, Page 3

FUNERAL OF THE LATE MR. GEORGE CLARK.

As mentioned in our last issue, Mr. Chirk, of- the Masonic Hotel, died at a late hour on Sunday night. His remains were followed to the grave on Wednesday last by a large concourse of friends, amongst whom were thirty members of the Masonic fraternity. :- The late Mr. Clark was a prominent member of the Masonic brotherhood, Tiaving been the first Master of the local lodgo, Lodge St. George, 1128, E.C. He had desired that whenever his death should occur, the beautiful service peculiar to Masonic funerals should be read over his remains. Agreeably with this request, the Masons assembled on Wednesday at their Lodge Boom ; and after the Lodge had been opened in the appropriate degree, the brethren proceeded in due order to the late residence of their deceased brother. The procession was then arranged as follows :—: — Tyler. Visiting Brethren. Members of Lodge St. George, two abreast. The Deacons. The Treasurer and Secretary. The Wardens. The Pastmaster. The Volume of the Sacred Law, borne by the oldest member of the Lodge. The W.M. of Lodge St. George. The W.M. of Lodge of Otago. Two Tylers. The Heabse. Mourners. Friends on foot. Friends on horseback. The usual Church of England service was read at the grave by the Rev..G. P. Beaumont, after which the full Masonic f uneral service was held, conducted by Bro. Budge, W.M., Lodge St. George, assisted by Bro. A. H. Burton, W.M., of Lodge of Otago, Dunedin, No. B'ti, The brethren in general joined in the various responses, and gave the fitting honors. In accordance with time-honored usage, fie sw rel scroll was deposited in the grave by the Secretary and each brother dropped upon the coflin the sprig of evergreen. The proceedings were brought to a close with a most impressive Masonic prayer, and the procession having re-formed, the brethren returned to the Lodge Room, and the Lodge was closed: