REMAINING VICTIMS

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20921, 28 September 1939, Page 11

REMAINING VICTIMS

NGARUAWAHIA SERVICE TWO ELECTRICIANS BURIED (Times Special Reporter) NGARUAWAHIA Wednesday. Although it was but a small gathering compared with the other funeral services of the Glen Afton mine disaster, about 100 people gathered at the Ngaruawahia cemetery this afternoon to pay tribute to the late Mr William Beil and the late Mr Raymond Turley, both electricians, whose bodies were recovered from the mine yesterday. About 30 cars comprised the cortege of the double fimeral which had proceeded to the Ngaruawahia cemetery from Glen Afton.

The bodies were laid to rest side by side. The comrades had died together as two of the first victims of the poisonous gas in the Glen Afton mine on Sunday. Mr Turley had tried in vain to rescue his mate, and died himself in the attempt. Both victims were buried beside the graves of the late Mr G. Hunter and the late Mr J. Marshall, two other victims of the tragedy, who were buried at Ngaruawahia yesterday. At the entrance to the cemetery members of the Ngaruawahia and Huntly Druids’ Lodges formed a guard of honour. The service at the graveside was conducted by the Rev. A. Ashwin, of Glen Afton. Over the grave of Mr Turley, the Minister of Agriculture, the Hon. W. Lee Martin, Past Grand of the Druids’ Lodge, recited the special Druids’ burial service. He officially represented the Government also.