FUNERAL OF THE LATEGEORGE BARKER.

Waikato Times, Volume XV, Issue 1277, 4 September 1880, Page 2

FUNERAL OF THE LATEGEORGE BARKER.

.^ ' •$ ■ : w -Considebino the short- notices" to the members of the Orange Lodge and to the Hamilton Infantry Volunteers, the funeral of the late Bandsman George Barker was | largely' attended, by r prangemen, Volunteers, and friends. The deceased had only been a member of tho Orange Lodge about four menths, and had it not been I for the promptitude of the Worshipful Master in giving orders that information ! should be telegraphed to him on the finding of the body, the, burial would have \ taken place at Ngaruawahia on Wednesday evening. Mr Knox rode down on | the morning 1 of -the inquest and carried out arrangements for conveyance of the remains to Hamilton. Mr Alfred Williams, who has for some time past been working With deceased, came up in charge of tho body, arriving about midnight, and placed :itin the Victoria Hall. Shortly after 2 q'clock on" Thursday, the Lodge was opened, and the preliminaries having been arranged, the funeral procession was formed as follows : — • „

Firing party Volunteer officers (Captain Dawson and Lieut, ttrcakcll)

Hamilton Light Infantry Band Coffin, covered with Union Tack, with deceased's cap, instrument, and belt upon it

Sons of Ulster, No. 9, L.O.L. Friends. Altogether the funeral presented a very imposing spectacle. It, was the first occasion on which the full regalia of the Orange institution had heen seen in Hamilton, the Worshipful Master wearing the iGbrand Lodge robes, which has been forwarded from Auckland for the oocasion. The band played the Dead March whilst passing through the streets, and after the funeral service of the Church of England had bean read by the Rev. William Calder and the Orange service by the Deputy Grand Master, three volleys were fired over the grave, and the baud played the Sicilian Mariners' Hymn, closing the service. On leaving the cemetery, the procession was reformed, headed by the baud playing several Spirited marches j back to the town. On reaching the Commercial Hotel, the firing party was dismissed and the procession broke up. Mr Price, for whom the deoeased has been working for some years, took care that nothing should be wanting, and it was noticeable at the grave side as the body was being lowered to its last restingplace that tho deceased had enjoyed the respect of a large number of residents in the district, although he was friendless, so far as near relations are concerned, in the colony. The sympathy so shown will in some measure relieve the grief of his relatives in the old country over his untimely end.