OUR LATE PREMIER.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8164, 22 June 1906, Page 5

OUR LATE PREMIER.

WELLINGTON, June 21.

The funeral of tbe late Premier took place to-day. Immense crowds of people thronged tbe routo taken by the cortege froui tbe Parliamentary buildings to the Sydney Street Cemetery, where the interment took place. i Shortly before 8 o'clock this morning the coffin was removed from the deceased's late residence in Moles worth Street ito the main lobby of the Parliamentary Buildings, where the hundreds of floral tributes received by tbe family during the past week had been arranged. The representatives of the Maori race, who had assembled from all parts of the colony, held an itnprassive tangi.

"The sun has set," said the Native Minister, speaking in tbe Maori tongue to the mourners of his race. "The people have lost their prorider. The totara tree of the forest has fallen! Come, tread where he trod while alive! Death is no respeotor of persons! Man is like a butterfly." Mr Carroll then read an address to Mrs Seddou, which ho handed to Captain Seddon, who with his two brothers, stood by the coffin. Following this, laments were delivered, the women keeping up a continuous wailing. Mats and other tokens had been plaoed by the coffin. After this the doors of the building were thrown open to the public, and in the succeeding hours a stream of people filed ( through the lobby, paying their last respect to the memory of the deceased. Over thirty thousand people thus viewed the coffin.

By noon the streets in the vicinity of Parliament and Government Buildings were thronged and every point of vantage crowded. On the lawn in front of the House of Representatives stood a detachment of military and bandsmen.

At 2 o'clook the cuffin was removed from the building and placed on a guu carriage, around which the Ministers of the Crown stood as as pall-bearers. In a few minutes the gun sounded and the prooession moved towards St. Paul's Cathedral the Band playing "The Dead March in Saul."

At the ohuroh the remains were met by Dr Wallis, Bishop of Wellington, and other clergy. When the Bishop had read the usual texts the choir sang hymn No. 231, the 90th Psalm and then bymn 27, "Abide With Me."

On the oompletion of the servioe the cortege moved off, the ohoir chanting "Nunc Diuiitfcus." Leaving the ohuroh the cortege turned out of Mulgrave Street into semi-cirou-lar Pipitea Street, past the Girl's High School, and across Hobson Street into Davis Street, amid ever the same cordon of watching thousands, held back by the lines of Volunteers, Highlanders, Maori Corps (North Canterbury Mounted Rifles). The same unimpeded progress without a hitoh, saw the cortege pass along Thorndon Quay into Lambton Quay, where the orowd began to thicken, the view opening out showed the bend of Wellington Terrace some distance ahead lined with spectators, wbo had chosen this spot for a distant but commanding viewpoint; But it was on entering Bo wen Street, which rises gradually from Lambton Quay, that the greatest press and the most' striking sight was witnessed. Here, on the rise at the top of the street, were gathered so many people that they presented a sea of human heads, rising gallerywise from the level of the procession to the top of the eminence on which cbey stood. But in the middle of the human eea, like something streaked aoross it, appeared a quivering band of green; something that lived and moved and seemed to beckon as the cortege drew up.

it was seen to be the green wreaths of the Maoris now waved in the haud in the manner of the poi, and quivering in unison with their wild native chant. It was a masterstroke of effeot, and one not to be forgotten for a moment. The procession lingered: then on it went to its destination, via Museum Street into Sydney Street, and so to the Cemetery gates.

Here was gathered now the full i force of the mighty crowd, requir-1 ing all the authority of law and order, baoked up by the volunteer*, to keep the human wave in oheok. This was, however, done at the Cemetery gates. The body was received by the representatives of the Headquarters' FJiaff. A detaohment of bluejackets from the oruisers Encounter and Pioneer formed, a guard at the graveside, and a gun party of 23 men from the Encounter awaited

THE FINAL SCENE.

A MOST IMPRESSIVE CEREMONY.

[By TET,BaB>PH —Pbess Assocvtion.]

the body nt the entrance to the Cemetery.' The nine-feet wide winding grave? path from the Sydney Street gates to the summit of tbo hill where the grave is situated was lined with naval volunteers •■ ,

A detachment of marines from the Encounter formed a line on the north side of the grave.

The Garrison Uand, whioh headed the oortege, drew past the Cemetery gate to permit the artillery gun carriage to pull close to the Encounter's ]2-pounder Armstrong field gun carriage and limber. The transfer of the coffin to the smaller gun carriage occupied lees than two minutes, and the meu-of-warsmen started up the bill at a smart walking pace. It was necessary for all other vehicle* to be abandoned, owing to the narrowness' of the pathway, and the procession proceeded up the hill headed hy the Bishop. Soon the gravertide was reached, and the body of New Zealand's great statesman lay above the tocrb. Thon Bishop Wallis commenoed his duties. It was first necessary to consecrate the ground, which was done in the the following words:— "In the nam** of the Father, the Son and the Almighty Ghost, 1 solemnly consecrate this burial ground, and pray that His blessing may ever be upon this place and sanctify it and keep it holy that it may be a fit restiug place tor the bodies of His servants until the day of the Lord Jesus, when He shall come to judge the quick and the dead. Amen."

The grey winter afternoon was waning, fitful watery clouds were passing, and the wind sang mournfully among the trees as Bishop Wallis, in a clear voice, commenced the short but beautiful couoluding aervioe of the Anglican Ohuroh for the burial of the dead: "Man that is born of a woman hat'a bat a shart time to live and is full of misery. He cometb up and is cut down like a flower." A few raindrops fell at this moment. It seemed that Nature was attuned to the oircuuistauoes deliberately.

The Bishop proceeded with the impressive service, and the hearts of the listeners were full of grief as be spake the words: "We therefor commit his body grave Earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust, in sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life." Then a very brief Masonic service was gone through. Thus the religious portion of the ceremonial was over.

But tbere waa one more token of respect to be paid to the departed. In the course of his busy life Mr Seddou carried oat the duties of Minister of Defence, and he was therefore honoured by the lirim? of three volleys by a detachment of the Permanent Force. The men were> drawn up on the eastern side of the grave, and as soon as the devotional servioe was over the firing took plaoe. After do first and second volleys a bugler sounded a bar of "The Sunset," and after the third volley "The Last Post." The ceremony was then over.

.MEMORIAL SERVICES.. MASTERTON. v The meroorirJ service held in the Mastoiiou Showgrounds, yesterday, waa largely attended. A procession, headed by Captain. Ciiailers,. left the Eovougn Council Chambers for the Sbowgi'oauds about 12.40 oc'ook. The order o? the procession waa as follows:—Salvation Army Baud (8), under Bandmaster H. We'Vtngton; IVasterton Rifle Volunteers (J.2), under Captain Charters and Lieuta. Morton and Brighting; Veievaus (5), Messrs 0. Stacey, H. Maiab, W. Robin, G. Woods, and J Page; Fire Brigade (21), under Captain Jenkins; Salvation Army (5), and Fire Police (7), under Secretary L. H, Lewis. Then followed the staff of the Masterton Borough Council, about 100 School cadets, under Captain Bunting, about the same number of school children, a uumber of members of the various Friendly Societies, a large bffdy of citizens, and several vehicles, The route taken was via Chapel Street, Hall Street, and Queen Street, to the Showgounds. A choir, under Mr A. Nicol, was stationed on an elevated platform. Mr E. Sutton presided at the organ, and Mr Reihana Boyes aooompanied on the violin. After a hymn, "When the Heads are Bowed With Woe" was sung, the Lord's Prayer was repeated by the Rev. A. M. Johnson. This was ? followed by a short Scripture readf ing by Mr P. Gordon. A prayer was i offered u.) by Adjutant Powick, f and the hymn "Days and Moments \ Quiokly Flying" was sung. The Rev J. N. Buttle delivered a short Scripture reading, and the hymn "Abide With Me" was sung by the choir. The Rev A. M. Johnson spoke a few words in referenoe to Mr Seddon's death. "We were face to face to-day with Death," said the speaker, "and ] mast acknowledge him, the | messenger from the King of Kings. Death had overtaken Mr Seddon i swiftly and silently. The late Pre- | mier had eatf 'Today we will rest, ' to-morvoiv r*3 mil work,' but the Great Ruler had destined that his work was finished. The grief over Mr Seddon's death was universal. In his days of prosperity the late Premier did not forget his old friends."

The Band then played "The Dead March in Saul," and the eerviue was brought to a conclusion. A short memorial service was held at Si. Patrick's Uhiroh, yesterday

afternoon. A large congregation assembled, rnd recited trie Rosary. The IJe*. Dean MoKenna gave a short sermon. Prior to the service bet ohurou beli was tolled for some time.

The service at St. Matthew's Chuvch after the united service on the Showgrounds was characterised by a reverent and solemn tone. The service was the same as that read in Wellington at the funeral of Mr Seddon. The choir rendered the musio introduced and the specially selected hymns "A Few More Years Shall Roll," "On the Resurrection Morning," and "Now the labourer's Task is Done," added to the impressiveness of the service. Mr R. Sutton played tne "Dead March," and the quiet aud confident recognition of Christian hope which marked the service was emphasised by the singing \A the Nunc Dimittis as a recessional. One of the bells of the Post Office clock was tolled from 2 o'clook to 2.30 o'clock by Mr A. Hende sou.

AUCKLAND. By Telegraph—Press Association. AUCKLAND, June 21. All business was suspended in Auckland tnis afternoon when several memoral services were helrt. Au official military service was held in St. Matthew's Anglican Oburob, the great building being crowded in every part with soldiers, magistrates, representees of public bodies and Government institutions and general public. Bishop Neligan gave a most eloquent and impressive address. There were also crowded congregations at the services held by the Ministers' Association, Masons and Friendly Societies, and service was also held in the Jewish Synagogue. The city was orowded, there being a large influx of visitors from country disr lots. Mauy memorial servioes were also held in country towns. ASHBURTON. ASHBUKTON, June 21. All places of business were closed all day in honour of the late Premier. A memorial service was held in the Domain in the afternoon. FEILDING. FEILDING, June 21. Over a taousand people attended the memorial service held to-day. Addresses were given by the Mayor and clergy.

MARTON. MARION. June 21. An impressive UDited memorial service was held in Martqn to-day. The Opera House was filled with people. Special hymns were suug by a oombined choir, and addresses were delivered by several ministers. WANGANUI. WANGANUI, June 21. • One of the largest crowds seen here for a considerable time took part in the memorial servioe this afternoon. The Garrison Band played "The Garland of Flowers" and "The Dead Maroia in Saul." Addresses were clergymen, and hymns were sung and prayers offered. i OTAGO. DUNEDIN, June 21. Dunedin in particular and Ofcago generally observed to-day as a day of mourning for the late Premier. Business was completely suspended, and for an hour even the eleotrio tramoars were not run. Enormous crowds turned out to take part in the memorial services or to witness the parade of Volunteers and Cadets whioh was the largest for many a day. Nearly 1,900 Volunteers and (Janets, paraded. At the close of the church services a mass meeting or service was held in the Triangle, under the auspices of the Council of Churohes. This being held when the Volunteer parade broke up, it was very largely attended.

Memorial services were also held in North East Valley, South Denied in, St Kilrta, Ravensbovirne, Port Chalmers, Green Island, Mosgiel, and in naarly all country towns.

CHHISTOHUKCH.

CHRISTOBURCH, June 21. This afternoon resembled a Sunday, all the shops, offices, and hotels being closed. Memorial services were held. In addition the massed bands played the "Dead March" in Violoria Square.

SYDNEY.. .Received June 21, 5.5 p.m. SYDNEY, June 21, Flags were flying at half-mast in Sydney to-day. At noon a large congregation assembled at St Andrew's Cathedral to pay, in unison with those takingjparfc in the funeral rites at Wellington, u last tribute to the late Mr Seddon. The building was draped in purple and black, and the altar deoked with white flowers. Union Jacks were suspended from the arching and pillars.

As the congregation gathered Jtbe organist played. "I Know That My Redeemer Liveth." The opening! hymn was "Brief Life is Here Oar Portion." The service terminated with the singing of the hymn, "Ten Thousand Times Ten Thousand." Archdeacon Gunther officiated. He was assisted by Canons Langley, Sharpe and Boyoe.

GAZETTE EXTRA OK DIN ARY. ; WELLINGTON, June 21. The following Gazette extraordinary was issued tonight:—"His Exoellency the Governor has been pleased to confirm as members of the Executive Council of New Zealand :—-The Hon. William) HallJones, Hon. Sir Joseph George Ward.gK.O.M.G., Hon. Jas. CarrolV Hon. James MoGowan, Hon. Thomas Young Duncan, Hon. Charles Houghton Mills, Hon. Albert Pitt and Hon. Mahuta Tawhiao, Potatau Te Wberuwhero.— 3. P. Andrews, Ac 4 .ing Clerk of the Executive Council. The following appointments have been made:—Hon. William HallJones, to be gPrime Minister, Colonial Treasurer, Minister of Liabour and Minister of Education; Hon. Charles Houghton Mills, to be Minister of Immigration; Hon. Albert Pitt, to be Minister of Defence, uy command. AT REST. The tireless one is tired. He rests now That was so fev'rish in bis lion haste' To act. He stormed through life. He would allow No Idleness to rust him, scorned ttie waste Of time no*, spent in marching to the fight. But now he sleeps. The strong man's strength at last has failed him quite* The Slayer reaps. On that last day the ship was steering home With him who longed to see his land again, His honours thick upon him. All the time Was awed with red. But he was spared the pain Of any chance decline in strength or name. His measure filled To brimming he has quaffed the cup of fame, And nothing spilled. While yet the chorus of Australia's praise Was ringing in his ears on Tasman's Sea. ■ ■ j The summons yame, and then his splendid days Were drawn to sudden end. He. felt the pang of Toil's surcease. He died in hnrness while his glory , rang. , Ho won his peace. —Evening Post.