BURIAL AT SEA.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIII, Issue 109, 9 May 1892, Page 3

BURIAL AT SEA.

The last rites rendered to the body of Miss Hewitt, who in her will clearly set out her desire to be buried ab sea, are thus described in the "Hawke'a Bay Herald :"

—"Mr P. S. McLean was made executor under the will, and saw that all arrangements were carried out in a befitting manner, so as to avoid shocking any person's susceptibilities, and to provide against the most remoto chance of the coffin ever being waehed ashore. Holes were bored in the coffin so that the sea water would enter it, and ab the feefc of the body were securely placed weights amounting to a total of 175!b. The coffin was taken from the High School to the Spit with all the decorum of an ordinary funeral, and the hearse wa3 followed by coaches containing a large number of the deceased's friends. Upon arrival at the port the coffin was placed upon the deck of the s>.s. Fanny, which was fittingly prepared for the occasion. A number of the mourners went out with the steamer to witness the final ceremony, and Dean Hovell was on board by arrangement in order to read the burial service. The Fanny steamed oub eight mile 3 from port, and seven miles from the nearest land. By the time that dietance had been covered the daylight had departed, but the moon shone oub clear and bright, making a glorious pathwayof light bo the horizon, and in thab radiance tho body was committed to the deep. The Fanny hove to while the funeral ceremony was in progress, and ab the words 'Wo now commit her body to the deep' the coffin glidod foot first, and almost withoub a splash, into tho broad path of light formed upon tho ripples by the moon's rays. The 3cene was a very Bolemn and suggestive one."