LATE EARL BALFOUR.

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 17977, 24 March 1930, Page 7

LATE EARL BALFOUR.

FUNERAL RITES. VERY SIMPLE CEREMONIAL. '* SERVICE IN THE ABBEY. United Tress Assn.— Elec. Tel. — Copyright LONDON, March 22. The most simple rites were observed at the burial of the late Earl of Balfour in the private cemetery at Whittinghame in the shadow of the Lammermuir hills. While Urn funeral was taking place the nation was honouring the dead statesman in Westminster Abbey, Edinburgh Cathedral and Cambridge University Church. Besides the late earl’s own people the only others present in the church at Whittinghame were his immediate relatives, including the aged and feeble Atiss Balfour who for many years was her brother’s hostess. Miss Balfour was completely overcome by the service conducted by the Rev. Alarshall Lang, brother of the Archbishop of Canterbury, who took part in the service in Westminster Abbey. The village schoolmaster played a “ Dead Alarch ” on the tiny harmonium. Six of the oldest servants on the estate carried the white-palled coffin to a farm waggon drawn by carthorses, on which the late peer was borne on his last journey through the land which formed the route of his favourite walk. The way lay past an institute and a bowling green, which Lord Balfour had presented to the village. When the coffin was lowered into the grave Atiss Balfour was lifted from her invalid-chair and, assisted by relatives, walked slowly by the graveside. She sat on the excavated clay and showered snowdrops from a basket on to the coffin, sobbing bitterly meanwhile. The other members of the family followed, eacli sprinkling snowdrops into the grave. Hundreds of wreaths were sent from people in all .parts of the world. They included one from the High Commissioner for New Zealand, Mr T. M. Wilford, and Airs Wilford, inscribed “ A Tribute from New Zealand to a Great Empire Statesman.” Those at the grave-sido included a company of Japanese students from Edinburgh, who had asked permission to pay their personal respects to the dead earl. The grief of one of Lord Balfour’s sisters, the Dowager Lady Rayleigh, caused a poignant incident in Westminster Abbey. Although she had been urged not to attend, owing to her ill-health, she did so. -She sat in a bath chair near the choir stalls. While the choir was singing : “ I know that my Redeemer liveth," Lady Rayleigh's heart fell forward and her shoulders shook. She raised one thin white hand appealingly and a woman knelt beside her. Lord Dawson of Penn, the King’s Physician, left his place and hurried forward and look Lady Rayleigh’s hand. She raised her head and smiled. Then she clasped her hands and remained motionless until the service ended. The great congregation in the Abbey included the Duke of York, representing the King, Britain’s prominent statesmen, representatives of the services, Ambassadors from foreign powers, scientists, businessmen and representatives of all branches of public life.