SERVICE AT SEA

LOST LAUNCH CEEW NEW PLYMOUTH CEREMONY i WREATHS LAID ON WATER i [BY TELEGRAPII —OWN CORRESPONDENT] NEW PLYMOUTH, Sunday The tributo of the Moturoa district to two fishmen, Mr. W. F. McLeod and his son Aligns, who were lost at sea in the launch Mokau on the night of February 1,. was, paid in moving and unusual fashion yesterday. At 10.15 a.m. a long file of 15 fishing launches began a slow journey three miles out to sea to conduct a memorial service. Mr. A. H. Inteman's Sicilia led the procession with the members and relatives of the bereaved family aboard, the long line being ended by the trawler Waitohu. As the launches came out into the open sea the steamer Fordsdale gave a short blast on her siren as a signal for the workmen at the port to cease work and commence a two minutes' silence. As a further tribute to the men lost at sea the waterside workers decided to subscribe two hours' pay from each man to the bereaved family. The 15 launches carried between 150 and 3.80 mourners, including the relatives, fellow fishermen, official representatives of the New Plymouth Waterside Workers' Union, European and Maori friends and four clergymen. Thfi tribute was spontaneous and affecting. After a short service and the singing of a hymn in Maori, there cam© the sad notes of a bugle and the final wailing of the Maori women. As the launches turned round on the homeward journey Bugler T. sounded the "Last Post" and the "lieveille" and as a conclusion to the service Mr. J. McLeod, a brother of the late Mr. W. F. McLeod, lowered the many wreaths over the side.