SOLDIER'S BURIAL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 250, 22 October 1935, Page 3

SOLDIER'S BURIAL.

SPECIAL TRIBAL HONOURS. LATE COLONEL ERASER. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) ROTORUA, this day. Special funeral honours in native style were paid to the memory of Lieut.-Col. E. CI. Eraser by the Ngati Whakaue tribe at Ohinemutu to-day. Colonel Eraser, whose death occurred yesterday in Auckland, during his four years' residence at Ohinemutu had taken a very close interest in the tribe and its various activities. He was accorded a military funeral by the Rotorua branch of the U.S.A., with which he was connected in an executive capacity, and was buried in the soldiers' cemetery at Ohinemutu.

Colonel Eraser's experience in military matters extended over nearly 40 years and included service in two campaigns. He first joined the Volunteers in ISS7, and in 1902 saw service, in South Africa, where lie was awarded the Queen's Medal, with three clasps. On his return to New Zealand he still retained his interest in the volunteer movement and served until the outbreak of the Great War as warrant

officer with the rank of captain. He sailed with the Main Body in 1914, and too'k part in the landing at Gallipoli, where he was seriously wounded. He was invalided to Malta, but after leaving hospital there returned to New Zealand to take up the position of chief machine instructor at Eeatlierston camp.

Colonel Eraser .retained this position until the close of hostilities, and, joining the First Battalion of the Auckland Regiment, was ultimately appointed to its command. He also took a close interest in the R.S.A. and South African Veterans' Association, being president of the Auckland branch of the latter association for some years. He received the volunteer officer's decoration some years ago, and was • chairman for the first Main Bodv reunion dinner held in Rotorua in May of this year.

Colonel Eraser took an active interest in all sporting activities, particularly athletics" and swimming. He was patron of the Rotorua Wrestling Association, president of the Rotorua Athletic Club and vice-president of the Ohinemutu Swimming Club. He was appointed by the Government a member of the advisory committee of the Auckland District Discharged Soldiers' Re-establishment Board.