IMPOSING FUNERAL CORTEGE.

1 COMMENT AT THE SUPREME j COURT. The funeral of tho late Sir Frederick Whitaker took place yesterday afternoon, and was of a most imposing character. The Provincial Grand Lodge, Scotch Constitution, of which the deceased was Provincial Grand Master, met ab tho Freemasons' Hall, Princes-street, ab 2.15 p.m., and was opened by Bro. W. McCullough, D.P.G.M. After a brief service read by the Chaplain the order of procedure was arranged as follows:—Bro. Edgar, acting P.G. Tyler; Bro. J. F, Lepine, P.G. Bible Bearer; Bro. the Rev. W. Caldor, P.G. Chaplain ; Bro. Thos. Cantley, G. Sec. (in the unavoidable absence of Bro. Thos. Slater) with roll; Bro. J. R. Hendry, P.G. Marshal; Bros. R, Farrell, Wm. Caron, the Rev. J. Hill, A. G. Baddiley, A. Brodie, and W. H. Skeet, Pall-bearera; Bro. F. . Rundlo, P.G. Swordbearer ; Bro. Wm. Anderson, P.G.S.M.; Bro. W. McCullough, P.G. Master Depute ; Bro. J". Cleal and Bro. A. Campbell, P.G. Stewards; Bro. J. P. , Bennett, P.G.I.G. The cortege formed at the residence of the deceased, Symonds-streeb,- the Masonic brethren in advance, the Grand Lodge officers surrounding the hearse. The mourning carriages were occupied by Mr Alfred Whitaker, son of the deceased, Masbers Fred ' and Walter Minnett, and Master Fred Whitaker (grandchildren), and in addition there were over sixty vehicles containing representatives of the various institutions and friends of the deceased. Atoongsb those present were the Hons. P. Dignan, W. Swanson, and Dr. Pollen ; Messrs T. Thompson, J. Palmer, W. F. Buckland, and J. M. Shera, M.H.R.'s ; Mr E. Heskebh (Vice-President), and members of the Law Socioty ; Messrs C. E. Button, C. F. Buddie, and A. Hanna, members of the firm of Whitaker, Russell, and Buddie (Mr Thomas Buddie being unavoidably absent); His Worship the Mayor (Mr J. H. Uptop), Mr W. Crowther (Mayor-elect) and a large number of City Councillors; Professors Pond and Thomas, representing the University Council, of which the deceased was a member: Mr Justice Conolly, Mr H. C. Brewer (Registrar) and Mr G. YV. Basley (Deputy Registrar), representing the Supreme Court; Messr3 R. Udy and V. E. Rice, Chairman and Secretary of the Board of Education ; Messrs W. P. Moab and A. F. Etheridge, representing bhe Crown Land Board ; Sir J. D. Connolly (American Consul), Sir William Fox, Mr Reader Wood. Sir Frederick Whitaker was Chancellor of the diocese and a membor of the Standing Commission of the General Synod. Bishop Covvie was unavoidably absent, but waa represented by Archdeacon Dudley. Dr. Purchas, one ot Sir Frederick's oldest friends, was also present. A very large number of other prominent citizens were present in their private capacity. Tho cortege proceeded from the residence of the deceased through Alten Road and Parnoll via Sb. Stephen's Avenue to Sb. Stephen's Cemetery. At the entrance to the cemetery the procession was met by Sir George Grey, Dr. J. L. Campbell, and other residents of the vicinity, and Sir George Grey and Mr J. Dilworth fell in with the procession immediately behind the chief mourners. At the entrance to the cemetery the Masonic brethren opened out right and left, forming an avenue to the Mortuary Chapel, to which the coffin was borne. The opening sentences of the Church of England burial service were here said by the Rev. C. M.. Nelson. Before pronouncing the blessing ab tho grave, the Rev. Mr Nelson said : " And so we lay to I rest the mortal remains of Sir Frederick Whitaker—one of our foremost citizens. In view of the Masonic service to follow, I will nob detain you except to say thab Sir Frederick was a loving husband, a fond fabher, a righteous statesman, an upright and honourable man. May he rest in peace, and may God grant us all to mccc him in a bebber place in bhe great hereafter." The 90th psalm in tho burial service vvas most impressively read by the Rev. Dr. Purchas, and the lesson from lsb Corinthians 15th chapter was read by Archdeacon Dudley, after which the coffin was borne to the grave. The service there was concluded by the Rev. C. M. Nelson. The Rev. W. Calder and P. G. Chapman also read the Masonic service, and the Rev. James Hill, P.G.D.M., of Devonporb, delivered an appropriate Masonic oration. The body of the deceased having been interred alongside bhe remains of his wife, the Masonic brethren passed round the grave, and the ceremony, which was a most impressive one, concluded. Tho musical service was conducted by Bro. Major Pirie. Numerous very beautiful wreaths were sent by personal friends, and on behalf of representative institutions, including the following:—Mr and Mrs Firth, Sir John Hall; Ara Lodge, N.Z.C.; St. Andrew's Lodge, N.Z.C. ; Grand Lodge of New Zealand ; Mr and Mrs G. S. Graham, Colonel Burton, Misses Buddie ; Provincial Grand Lodge, S.C. ; St. Andrew's Kilwining, No. 451, S.P., Wanganui ; Lodge St. Andrew ; Lodge Ponsonby, 708, S.C. ; Misses Courtayne, Mr S. Vaile, Mr and Mrs L. D. Nathan, Mr W. P. Moab and members of the Ara Lodge, Miss Roberson, Mr 3 Moss, and Mr C. Buddie.

Telegrams expressing sympathy with the family were received from His Excellency the Earl of Onsiow, Sir R. Stout, Sir J. Hall, Hon. E. Mitchelson, Mr A. E. G. Rhodes (M.H.R.), Hon. Mr Mahtell, Hon. Mr Cadman, Mr G. Tolhurst, Hon. E. C. J. Stevens, Mr Walrond, Hon. P. A. Buckley, Mr Parfitt, Mr Irving, Hon. W. P. Reeves, Hon. T. W. Hislop, Hon. G. F. Richardson, Mr E. T. Gillon, Mr R. A. Loughnan, Mr W. A. Ridings, Mr A. M. Smith and many others.