FIREMAN’S FUNERAL

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 301, 17 September 1934, Page 10

FIREMAN’S FUNERAL

The Late Mr. H. Whitcher Tribute to the esteem in which the late Deputy-Superintendent H. Whitcher, who was for 21 years a member of the Pctone Fire Brigade, was held, was shown by the large number of mourners at Ills funeral on Saturday. The funeral is said to be one of the largest held in Petone for a number of years, and there were nearly 100 motor-cars in the procession. Firemen In full uniform marched in front of a Petone fire engine, on which the casket reposed, covered with floral tributes. Then came several lire engines from other brigades, followed by the mourners’ coaches. Superintendent J. P, Gaynor was in charge of the Petone men.

Tito pall-bearers were: Fireman J. R. Gaynor, A. Shardlow, L. Horne, M. Hughes, .1. O’Brien, and A. Seiwood. The service at the I’etone fire brigade station was conducted by the Rev. G. V, Gerard, and the service at the graveside by the Rev. 11. E. K. Fry. The Wellington Fire Brigade was represented by Station Officer A. F. McJennett, with one of the new fire engines ami a squad of men, the Lower Hutt brigade by Deputy-Superintend-ent .1. J. Doran with a fire engine and a squad, the Upper Hutt brigade by Superintendent W. 11. Wakelin with a fire engine and a squad, the Gear Meat Company by the company’s fire brigade and a squad under Captain Smith, and the Eastbourne brigade by a squad. Among the mourners were: Mr. R. Girllng-Bu.teller. chief inspector of fire brigades; Messrs. ,1. E. . Quinn, K. Mason. .1. Kerr, and E. N. Campbell, members of the I’etone Fire Board, nml Mr. H. Birth, the secretary; Mr. .1. W. McEwen, ex-chairman of the board; Councillors G. London. J. C. Burns, and V. A. Noble, representing the I’etone Borough Council; Mr. W. G. Codder (chairman), Mr. C. I’. Brockelbank, and Mr, O. Silbery (secretary), representing the I’etone and Lower Hutt Gas Lighting Board; Mr. J. McKay, representing the Westport Fire .Brigade; ex-Superintemlent C. Lepper, ex-Captaln E. Horne. ex-Firemen H. Wild. R. Vincent. W. Dryberg. L. Meehan, A. Rose, and A. Cook; and Constables R. A. Morris. H. McNamara, nml S. U. Higgins, representing the I’etone Police. Mr. I). McKenzie, Mayor of I’etone, nml chairman of the Petoim Fire Board, was unable to be present bWAUtc ot JllntWA.