MR T. STAPLETON.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 9199, 2 September 1895, Page 3

MR T. STAPLETON.

The news of lie death, <m August 27th, of Mr Thos. .Sup'e.on, h.> ioi,g and intimately connected with tin: Working Men's Club and a number "f ■»' \:> r nrt-anU.itiona in tho city, was >ecfi..:-.» with regret. Mr Stapleton was oil. who was always to the fore when any elm ity needed assistance, and never ypared himself. Ha look grea: interest in th.* Woi bin;.* ileu's Club, of which he was President fur some years. In the Masonic Cral: the deceased was also •well known and widely respected. He was an old member of the Canterbury Lodge, 1084, and one of its Past Masters. He was the head of the R0y..l Arch Chapters under the iScotti.th Constitution, and had also taken several of the higher degrees. The funeral of the late Mr T. Rtapleton took place at the Avonside Cemetery ou Thursday, August 29th, when th'Te was a large at tendance. The deceased gentleman having been a prominent member of the M'tsuuiu frateruity as well as belonging ti> several Friendly Societies, ho waa accorded a becoming fuoiral. Several very handsome wreaths were laid on tbe coffin, including one scut each by the District Grand Lodge of Freemasons and tho Oddfellows. 'Die order of the procession was as follows :—Oddfellows, Foresters, members of tho Masonic Lodges under the Scdiish Constitution, Conyers Lodge, Canterbury Kilwinning Royal Arch Chapter and Cantetbury Lodge, hearse and attendants, mourning coach with family, District Grand Lodge of Freemasons iv carnages, members of tho Christchureh, Richmond aud Sydenham Working Men's Clubs and friends. The coffin was of polished riimi and silver • mounted. The decased gentleman having been District Grand Senior Warden, tbe pall-bearers were Bro.<. M. Sandstein, H. McLellan, T. Forest, and J. G. L. Scott, P.D.G.S. W.s, and the beareis were Bros. Williams aud King, representing the Oddfellows, and Bros. Weakley and Howard, representing the Forentprw. Atnoni* tho District Grand Lodge Officers ptesetit were X W. Bro. V. Cunuinghum, D.G.M., and WW. Bro. R. 1). Thomas, D.D.G.M.. and W. Bro. Rev. j. A. Lixfoid, D.G. Chaplain. The funeral arrangements were earned out by Bros. W. 11. Gundry and W. R. Mitchell. The ceremony was conducled by the Rev. W. A. Pascoe, and the Oddfellowo' Ritual was read at the grave by Bro. \V. Woods, P.P.G.M.