CARPET OF FLOWERS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 April 1940, Page 5

CARPET OF FLOWERS

Patterned by countless wreaths, a carpet of flowers, red, white and blue, spread before the vault, awaited the thousands who converged on Bastion Point across the heights of Orakei. Below them was the panorama of the harbour on which 200 of Auckland’s pleasure-boats roads at anchor, sail furled and pennants or ensigns at half-mast. A passing ‘freighter, inward bound, dipped her Red Ensign to join in the tribute that came from the sea. Overhead a solitary aeroplane circled to show her silver wings. Even in the open air, far from the constraint of the city streets, the crowd was still silent. Men and women spoke little and only children on whom the significance of the occasion was lost disturbed the quiet with occasional chater. Samoans grouped at the top of the hill above Bastion Point and Maoris in native costume with the greenery of mourning waited mutely for the time when they would honour in the style of their forefathers the fallen chief. Long before the mounted policemen heading the funeral procession appeared over the top of the hill a hush enveloped the vast crowd. A quiet that deepened told of the approach of the cortege, and the mourners stood as they realised suddenly that the end of the journey was near.

ESCORT OF MINISTERS Down the dustj r road the procession moved toward the headland and the vault chosen to be the Prime Minister’s grave. The pall bearers lifted their sad burden from the gun carriage _ and with an escort of Cabinet Ministers they carried it to a platform sombre in mourning, where Bishop Liston, attended by assisting members of the clergy, performed the last rites. The pungent smoke of incense filled the air and to the multitude that watched came snatches of sonorous Latin unfamiliar to many of those present, but their deep meaning abundantly clear. Many in that throng were deeply moved, particularly older members of the Labour movement who had been associated with Mr. Savage since his earliest days as an active member of the party. Prayers repeated in English brought home more strongly the beauty and significance of the Roman Catholic service. While a choir of priests, bareheaded and wearing the habits of their orders, sang “Jesu Salvator Mundi,” the coffin was slowly borne under an archway of summer flowers. Cross and candle led on the brief journey, with the late Prime Minister’s colleagues of the Cabinet and the chief mourners following. Enacted within a bower of flowers the final scene was hidden from the crowd as the body was laid to rest on ground made blessed by the Bishop s prayer. The silent throng could no longer see, a wall of wreaths separating them from the vault silhouetted against the sky. Trumpeters sounded the* “Last Post," the clear notes faded into silence, and the crowd stood a moment in prayer, eyes raised to the crosse of white flowers that blazed in the sun. a symbol of sacrifice and life eternal.

FARMERS' UNION TRIBUTE. MR SAVAGE RESPECTED BY ALL. Tribute to the late Prime Minister was paid by Mr Hugh Morrison, Provincial President of the Wairarapa Farmers' Union, at a meeting of the executive this morning. “He was an honourable, likeable man." observed Mr Morrison. “He was respected by all, even those politically

opposed to him. We all feel deep legret realising that he was a very fine man’. I had met him on several occasions and knew that he was always out to do the best he could for the people. When war broke out he put all his weight behind the Empire.” Mr Morrisson added, referring to Mr Savage’s words: "Where Britain goes, we □ o.". Mr Savage's passing was a matFer of deep regret to all sections of the community. Members stood in silence as a mark of respect.