FUNERAL OF JOHN PASCOE.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XIX, Issue 1742, 18 February 1863, Page 4

FUNERAL OF JOHN PASCOE.

Yestebdat afternoon the last sad offices were paid to the remains of John Pnscoe, late chief boatswain's mate on board H.M.s.s. ' Orpheus,' who met his death by drowning, in consequence of the wreck of that vessel, on the 7th instant, on the Manukau bar. The event occasioned great interest amongst the inhabitants of this city, and by the time announced for the procession to start, a very largo gathering of persons had assembled in the barrack sq\iare, many of whom were habited in deep mourning, and who joined in the procession on its formation. Shortly after 3 o'clock, all the arrangements being complete, the cofliu was removed from the military dead-house, by several of the deceased's surviving comrades (now drafted to the ' Harrier '), and placed on one of the Royal Artillery gun carriages, drawn by six fine horses. The position having been taken up immediately after the band, the procession was then commenced in the following order : Nineteen rank-and-file of the 40th regiment, with arms reversed — forming the firing party, in charge of Mr. Hobbs : the band with muffled drums playing the Swedish "Dead March :" the coffin drawn on Eoyal Artillery gun carriages ; six pall bearers walking at the side. The surviving sailors (12) followed as chief mourners. Then came about 40 members of the Auckland Naval Volunteers, under the command of Captain J. J. Fitzgibbon, and were succeeded by the 40th regiment, commanded by Colonel Leslie, C.8.. with other officers ; Lieut.-Coloncl Nelson, Captain Trench, and Captain Armstrong. Next came the Koyal Engineers, and were followed by the Royal Artillery in charge of Captain Mercer, Lieutenants Hunter and Piekard : Dr. Temple; General Cameron, C. 8., with staff; Colonel Gamble, Colonel Hutchins, Major McNeil, A.D.C., and Major Paul, with Captain Bulkeley, A.D.C. to his Excellency the Governor, and Lieutenant St. Leonard of the 65th. ; Paymaster Stoney, Dr. Eobertson, Messrs. Ilamlin, "Whelan, Dudgeon, Burton, Philips, H. De B. Adams, purveyor to the forces. F. L. Jones, Dep.-Com.-General Jones. Mr. Chislctt, Collin, Barnes, and others of the military followed. The members of the Colonial Govern, ment headed the procession of civilians who had attended to do -nonor to the memory of the deceased, and those who perished with him. "We noticed the Hon. A. Domett, Col. Sec, the Hon. Dillon Bell, Native Secretary. Mr. F. Whitaker, Attorney General, Mr. W. Gisborne and many of the most influential merchants of the city. The grave was situate in the Protestant burial ground, immediately opposite the entrance gate : and should a memorial be at some future day erected, would form a prominent ] object at the entrance. The burial service was read in a most impressive manner by the Uight Rev. Bishop Patteson. Upon the coffin being uncovered for lowering into the grave the following inscription was disclosed on the plate : — TO THE MEMORY OF me. johit pascoe, it s., CHIEF BOATSWAIJTS MATE HM S 'ORPHEUS,' DROWNJkD FEBRUARY 7, 18G3. AGED 20. "When the coffin, which was handsomely covered and mounted, had been lowered to the bottom of the grave ; the firing party took up their position and fired three rounds of blank cartridge (the deceased ranking relatively in the army as sergeant-major.) The procession was then reformed, the band struck up a lively air, and the troops were marched back to the Albert Barracks, where they were dismissed from duty. The whole proceedings were conducted with the most seemly and decorous behaviour on the part of the spectators.