Burial of Sir John McKenzie.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume III, Issue 188, 13 August 1901, Page 3

Burial of Sir John McKenzie.

Dunedin, August 9. The closing scene in the career of Sir John McKenzie was enacted at Palmerston South to-day, when his mortal remaihs were conveyed to their last resting place, amidst the sorrowings of his many friends and his former constituents.

The Premier, the Hon C. H. Mills and several members of the Legislature arrived by the Hinemoa at Oamaru early in the morning, and took a special train for Palmerston South. Bn route a short stop was made at Shag Point station, while the party went to Hoabhfield, the residence of the McKenzie farhily, to take a last look at their old colleague and comrade. The massive frame had shrunken almost to a shadow. The face showed abundant traces of the severity 6f his last illness. The Premier and the Hon T. Y. Duncan stayed with the family, and the remainder of the party went on to Balmersfcoh, where . they were joined by a number of legislators and other prominent! public men from Ghtistchurch,< Dunedin and other centres. The Dunedin and Southland pipe bands also came up by the southern express, and the large party left Palmerston at one o’clock for Heathfield, to take part in the final ceremony. ' Before the body was removed from the house a short Presbyterian service was conducted by the Rev. Jas, Clark, of Palmerston, and the Rev. Nico\l, of Hampden. The coffin was then borne from the house to the heafse oh the shoulders of Mr Seddon, and the Hons W. Mall-Jobes, W. 0. Walker, T. Y. Duncan* J. Carroll and G. H. Mills.

Passing through Palmerston, the cortege wasi about amile inlength, and comprised some 75 vehicles, 60 horsemen and 600 on foot; It took fifteen minutes to pass a given point* being. the ; largest funeral ever seen in- the district. Everywhere along the roiite through the township were signs of mourning, flags being' half-toast, all business premises closed* and Hinds drawn