THE FUNERAL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XIV, Issue 2961, 1 May 1893, Page 2

THE FUNERAL.

(MR PRESS ASSOCIATION).

Wklli>gton, April 30. Never in the history of Wellington wag there Kuch »n assemblage as met this morning to pay the Jast respeci to the memory of the late Premier. NotwithHtandiim that the fuiuual was anuounced for 6.30 a.m., the «<ieeiß bore a busy aspect long before that hour. Shortly afcer daybreak eager spectators assembled in front of the Ministerial residence in Tinakori Road, in which Mr Ballance died, and about ti.3o a.m. the volunteers began to muster in force, followed shortly afterwards by the friends of the-deceased. A. strong detachment of police, under Inspector Peuder, kept the Ministerial grounds free, except of those persons who had the right or entry. A detachment of the Permanent Artillery who were to form the firing party, were the first to invest the grounds, and were drawn up in line in front of the main entrance. The friends of Mr Ballance who had arrived early had an opportunity cf viewing the body, bul shortly before 7 o'clock the coffin was screwed down and preparations niido fur the funeral. Innumerable wreaths were delivered -«t the residence, sent from all parts of the colony, and by persons and associations of all Sriitical opinions. By seven o'clock jiptain Hickford of the Katoomba, with several officers and twenty-five seamen arrived, and from this out the assemblage increased, as carriages containing the members of the Government, many Councillors, and prominent citizens arrived, and drove into the ground* and formed in line in front of the residence. About 7.15 the coffin was carried from the drawing-room and placed on a guncarriage in charge of a detachment of the D Bnttery, and a second or two later the mournful sound of the Dead March, played by the Garrison Band, announced that the remains of Mr Ballance were proceeding to their last resting place. The volunteers and the men from tha Katoomba, (he latter wearing crape bandsj headed the cortege, Af'.er these came the firing party, and the gun-carri-age with the coffin covered by the Union Jack followed. Mr McKnijjht, of Palmerston North, was chief mourner, with the Messrs Anderson, brothers of Mrs Ballauce, the Ministers acting as pallbearers. The procession, which extended the whole length of Hill street, comprised * all the leading citizens in Wellington besides the numerous friends of the deceased, who had arrived from all parts of the colony, including the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and several southern members. The streets were thronged throughout the line of proces- ' sion, and at the railway station immense crowds had gathered. 'It was quite 8 a,m. before the station was reached, but little time was lost in placing the coffin on board. Ac 8.15 the train, conveying about 500 invited by the Ministers, left for Wanganui, and was followed a few minutes later by the public train, which was largely patronised. Flags were flying half mast all day. Wanganci, April 30. The remains of the late Premier were interred to-day in the presence of a great concourse of people. Visitors and reporters commenced to arrive by Saturday's train, and by the time the last special got in to-day the town was thronged. The fact of the funeral being with Masonic honors attracted an immense number of Masons from all over the colony, as many as forty lodges being represented,' The Governor, the Ministry, both Houses of Parliament, Volunteer Corps, Fire Brigades, and ether public men and bodies, sent numerous representatives. Early in the afternoon the firebell began to toll for the dead, and people began to fill the thoroughfares, all wending their way towards the railway station to witness the arrival of the special train, This was timed to get in soon after two o'clock, but ib was three o'clock, before jb arrived, and by that hour it was with difficulty that standing room was obtained on Taupo Quay near the railway station. The Napier train arrived just before two o'clock," bringing a full complement of mourners from Naiper, Waipawa, Danevirke, Woodville, Palmerston, Fielding, and Marton, including the Manawatu Mounted R fles. The Government train, carrying the remains, brought up a large complement of Wellington and southern people. The Governor's representatives were Captain Hunter Blair and Captain Clayton, and all the Ministers, Sir Robert Stout, the Speakers of both Houses,and a large number of Legislative Councillors and members of the House* representing districts from Auckland to Dunedin were present. Mrs Ballanoex was accompanied by Mrs Anderson and Miss Griffiths. The Wellington and Auckland Masonic Lodges regretted that; they did not know it was to be a Masonic funeral, or they would'have been officially represented. "' ■ , ; .When the remains arrived a procession was drawn up in the. following order, forming the largest funeral cortege* Wanganui had ever seen:—Firing Party, including Permanent Artillery, Wanganui Garrison Band, Wanganui Town Band, Obaki Native Band, Freemasons, Guncarriage with Coffin, (Pall-bearers walking on either side), Tylers, Chief Mourners, Governor's Representatives, Foreign Consuls, Members of the General Assembly, The Mayor and Councillors of Wanganui, Members of the Harbor and River Trust Boards, " Wanganui Herald" Staff, Bank of New Zealand Officers, Civil Servants, Alexandra Cavalry, Volunteer Officers, Old Members of the Wanganui Cavalry, Wanganui Fire Brigade, Foresters, Railway Employees, The General Public. The whole formed a gigantic procession which, including the public following on the footpaths, must have numbered somathing like 4000 or 5000 people. The great consource moved slowly to the cemetery, taking the route of Victoria Avenue, along Guy ton street and Cemetery road. In the cemetery a large square was reserved for the mourners, police, representatives of whom were present from al/nost every station between New Plymouth and Waoganui under Inspector Thomson, and the Alex* andra Cavalry, keeping back the large crowds anxious to get as near a view as possible of the ceremony. The chief mourner* assembled close to the grave, accompanied by prominent Masons. The ceremony was performed by the Rev A. O. Williams, P.C.S. of the Tongariro Lodge, assisted by Bros J. H. Keesing, P.M., and J. Stevens, W.R.M. The Masonfc odes ■' Solemn strike the> Funetal Chimes.," and ♦'Days and Moments quickly Flying" were sung, and the usual service was read. The words "We cherish his memory here below; we commend his spirit to God who gave it; we commit his body to the grave," were repeated three times by the Masons with appropriate signs. The Masonic apron, the emblem of purity, was deposited in the grave, after which Brother Keesing pronounced the Benediction, "Merciful and Almighty, may the virtues of our departed Brother be ever green in Thy memory as they will be in ours." The brethren then deposited green acacia twigs ir. the grave, accompanied by the words "Also my Brother," and the ceremony was brought to a conclusion by the firing party of 230 men. A great Lumber of wreaths were sent, a fire brigade ladder-carriage being oovere4 with them*

All the Ministers were present as well ac the Hon Messrs Shrimski, Jennings, McCullough, Richardson, Jenkinson, Kigg, Walker and Kelly, of the Legislative Council, and the following members of the House of Representatives :— Th<j Speaker, Messrs P. Thompson, W. L. Rees, E. M. Smith, W. 0. Smith, J. G. Wilson, Buick, Buchanan, G. Hutoheson. R, Moore, Joyce, Wi Parata, hapa, Hall-Jones, McGuire, G. Fisher, MilJs, W. Earnshaw, Dawson, Sandford, Tanner, and Richardson. Sir John Hall wires regretting that he was unable to attend, as he was ill in bed.