IN THE ALBERT PARK.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 112, 14 May 1925, Page 8

IN THE ALBERT PARK.

AN IMPRESSIVE SERVICE. ADDRESS BY REV. L. FLETCHER. There was an impressive ceremony at Albert Park, under tho direction of the Rev. Lamb Harvey, when a solemn and stirring oration was delivered by the Rev. Lionel B. Fletcher. Extracts' from tho Scriptures were read by the Rev. John Wilkinson; prayer was offered by the Rev. D. C. Herron; the lesson was road by the Rev. E. Drake, and the Rev. J. Lamb Harvey pronounced the benediction. Hymns were sung by the gathering to the accompaniment of the Auckland Municipal Band, which also gave an expressive rendition of the "Dead March." In the course of his oration, the Rev. Lionel Fletcher saitl that when a great leader died it was as though the trumpets of Cod sounded throughout the world, calling the people to peace. In tho presence of death the discord of party strife ceased. The preencee of t.eath brought the best feelings of mankind into play. The grief for Mr. Massey was real, and was felt by every section of the community. Every flower that fell to-day in the grave of the Prime Minister was it real tribute to his worth in the hearts of men. When Moses died. God cried to his people to arise and cross the river of .lonian, nnd it seemed to-day as though God was calling the people of New Zealand to carry on the great work of their dead leader, who had served God •villi a simple heart and his people with a single purpose. It would be found, probably, that the great work and exhaustion of his ofiice had prematurely brought tho Prime Minister to his mortal end. Even as the soldier fell in the service of his country, so had Mr. Massey. Well, he would have so willed it, and the speaker was sure that if the voice of the Prime Minister could be heard today it would be urging: "Go forward!" The hymns suns were: '"All People That on' Earth Do"Dwell," "O God, Our Help in Ages Past." "Now the Labourer's Task is O'er. - ' and "For All the Saints.'' The large congregation stood in earnest reverence throughout the service, despite the drizzling rain, nnd dispersed at the conclusion of the service after singing one verse of the Nntional Anthem. The Auckland Chamber of Commerce was officially represented at the funeral to-day.

The Birkenhead Borough Council, which met last evening, decided to abandon all business till next week. The Mayor. Mr. E. G. Skcates.. stated that a wreath had already been dispatched to Wellington, from tlie Borough Council and the council unanimously resolved to forward the following telegram to Mrs. Massey:—"The Birkenhead borough extends to you its sincere sympathy in your sad bereavement, nntl mourns the loss of a great citizen of the Empire who can be ill snared."

MESSAGES FROM OVERSEAS. WELLINGTON, Wednesday. The Speaker of the Legislative Council, Sir Walter Cnrncross, to-day received the following cablegram from Melbourne: —"The Speaker of the Legislative Council and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Wellington: The President and Speaker, on behalf of the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, extend the deepest sympathy to Mr. Massey's relatives and mourn with New- Zealand in the loss of her distinguished Prime Minister."

Sir Walter Carncross also received the following cablegram from London: "The members of the United Kingdom branch of the Empire Parliamentary Association in both Houses of Parliament express to your branch sincere sympathy in the grcnt loss your Parliament and nation have sustained by the death of your Prime Minister, who played such a great part in Empire affairs."

Mr. Lloyd George cables: "I deeply regret Mr. Mnssey's death. He was a fine Imperial patriot. I shall never forget the support of his unflinching comradeship on the War Cabinet in the days of the Empire's greatest trial."

Lord Derby says: 'T should be deeply obliged if you would convey to the family of the late Mr. Massey my most sincere sympathy. 1 saw a great deal of him at different times during the last few years and fully realise his sterling qualities. The Empire has lost one of its most sterling supporters."