LATE MR LYONS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 11 April 1939, Page 5

LATE MR LYONS

LAST TRIBUTES PAID. MOVING SCENES IN SYDNEY BASILICA. By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright SYDNEY, April 10. More than 50,000 people today filed in parties of 10 past the casket containing the body of the late Prime Minister, Mr J. A. Lyons, lying in state at Saint Mary’s Basilica, and paid their last tribute and respects. Leaders of political, commercial and social life, men and women of all stations and even children moved in the solemn procession past the catafalque all day. Perhaps the most pathetic moment was when the six eldest children of Mr Lyons arrived to take a last look at their dead father. Archbishop Gilroy and other Roman Catholic dignitaries were present and received the Governor-General, Lord Gowrie, and members of the Commonwealth Ministry. There will be a solemn Pontifical Mass at the cathedral tomorrow, followed by the State funeral through the citv to the Circular Quay, where the body will be put aboard the destroyer Vendetta for conveyance to Devonport for burial in the grounds of St Joseph’s Church, where Mr Lyons and his wife worshipped for many years.