LORRY LOADS OF FLOWERS

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 22983, 1 April 1940, Page 8

LORRY LOADS OF FLOWERS

TRIBUTES FROM ALL CLASSES MANY RECEIVED FROM OVERSEAS CP3JSSB ABSOCU.TIO* TELE GUAM.) AUCKLAND, March 31. Not for many years has Auckland seen such a wealth of beauty as was displayed in the floral tributes to Mr Savage. Thousands of flowers of every shade and hue, ranging from the most magnificent that money can buy, to simple tributes by children, all were silent expressions of tha deep esteem in which Mr Savage was held by every section of the community. It was a memorable spectacle. Red predominated in the flowers chosen. Many of the wreaths featured roses,. which are stated to have been Mr Savage's favourite flower. Most of the wreaths, displayed on trestles and mounted on 20 large motor trucks, were taken over the funeral rout: to Bastion Point 40 minutes before the procession moved off from the Railway Station. Many wreaths, brought from Wellington, and others collected between that city and Auckland, were taken to the burial ground. The wreaths came from far and near. There was one from the Prime Minister of Great Britain, Mr Chamberlain, another from the British Government, and one from the House of Commons. Other distinguished people and associations in Britain were also represented, as were leaders of the Governments of all the British Dominions. The administrator and people of Western Samoa and the Resident Commissioner and people of Niue Island and of the Cook Islands sent, wreaths. The inscription on that from the Governor-General, Viscount Galway and Lady Galway, was. “To the memory of one whose ideals and humamtarianism won the esteem of all. ’ There was not one section of the community' not represented m the wreaths received from all parts of the Dominion. Those represented were Cabinet Ministers and members of Parliament, including Opposition members, all members of the consular corps, the National Party, the French family, workers, old-age pensioners, company directors, local bodies, Labour organisations, Maori citizens, religious organisations, and members of the foreign communities. In Auckland, numerous wreaths were received from families who had been helned by Mr Savage. Their gratitude was summed up in words such as, “In loving remembrance of him who did so much for others and so little for himself,” or “To a beautiful life came such a sudden end, he. died as he_ lived, everyone’s friend.” In other inscriptions he was described as “A man with a heart of gold,” “A man in a million,” or simply as “great friend.”