ABOARD THE RENOWN

Wairarapa Age, 17 February 1927, Page 3

ABOARD THE RENOWN

DEATH OF A BANDMASTER. IMPRESSIVE FUNERAL. GREETINGS FROM SAMOA. MELBOURNE, February IG. A wireless message from the Renown states that the ship was cast into gloom by the death of Bandmaster J. E. Burnett, of the Marine Band, conductor of the jazz orchestra, who succumbed during the night to pneumonia and pleurisy. The burial service was impressive. The body was brought to the quarterdeck. There the whole of the ship’s company assembled to the strains of Chopin’s “Funeral March,” the Marine Guard presenting arms as the cortege passed, afterwards reversing arms, as the body, covered with the Union Jack, rested on the guard rails, preparatory to its committal to the deep. It was a touching moment when the hammock-ed-shape slid quietly from the ship and plunged, into the depths. The Renown, whose course was deflected slightly at the request of the Duke of York for the purpose of viewing the islands, passed along the southern coast of Upolu in the Samoan group. A wireless message was received from the Administrator (General Richardson) wishing Their Royal Highnesses good luck and a pleasant voyage to New Zealand, where a hearty welcome awaits them from the Samoan native representatives, anxious to express personally the loyalty of the people of the islands to the King. The Duke of York sent a reply, expressing thanks and informing the Administrator that the Renown’s route would take her close in to land. The officers and crew are at present interested in New Zealand pamphlets, folders, books of facts about the country, a thousand of which were distributed throughout the ship.—(P.A.).