FUNERAL OF MAJOR WITHERS.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3703, 29 May 1883, Page 4

FUNERAL OF MAJOR WITHERS.

(N.Z. Herald, May 23.) _ As announced, the funeral of Major Edward Withers, tho officer commanding the Auckland Volunteer district, avlio died on Saturday morning, took place yesterday afternoon, and no higher marks of respect could bo paid to tho veteran officer than those Avhich Avero accorded. It Avas not only amongst tho Auckland volunteers that this feeling was shown, but in tho out-dis-tricts as well the same spontaneous feeling was ovincod amongst all branches of the force. Tho Waiuku Cavalry had very short notice, yet they A-vcrc present in good strength, although many of them had to ride forty miles to the railway station. The Thames volunteers had no opportunity of being present in a body, but they Averc represented by Captain Wildman, Adjutant Grant, and Lieutenant Potts, of the Thames Naval Brigade. Major Withers' old comrades of tho 05th, as well as those of other Imperial regiments Avhich had served in New Zealand, made a point of being present to show their respect for the comrade aa-lio Avith them had bore the brunt of Ne*v Zealand warfare.

On behalf of the Thames Volunteers, Captain Wildmau and Adjutant Grant yesterday forenoon Avaitcd on Mrs Withers and presented the following letter of condolence : —" Mrs Withers, Auckland. Dear Madam, —On behalf of Captains Douglas and Small, and other ollicers aud members of Thames volunteers, avlio havo been unable to attend to-day in paying a tribute of respect to the memory of their late commanding we beg to tender to you an expression of our sincere sympathy with you in your deep sorrow. It may bo some consolation to you to bo reminded that Major Withers had dravra to himself not only the respect and esteem of those avlio had the honor of being under his command, and lie Avill long be remembered by us Avith affectionate regret. Trusting that you and yours may find support and comfort _in affliction from them avlio alone can give them,—We are kc, E. T. Wildjiax, Captain Naval Artillery : J. Grant, Lieutenant and Adjutant Thames District." As already stated, the Waiuku Cavalry arrived in town by tho morning train from Pukekohe, having ridden overland to the station. There Averc 21 men all told, Captain Hamlin being- in command, and tho other officers Avero Lieutenant Barriball, and Sub-Lieutenant Barriball. Captain Hamlin informs us that had notice been received in time more than double tho number Avould have been present in his troop. Major Eccles, Aide-do-Camp to His Excellency, attended the funeral in uniform. There Averc excellent musters of the various A'oluutecr companies. It seemed a grim coincidence that the Garrison Band should be in attendance in uniform for the first tiino at Major Withers' funeral. He had exhibited the greatest anxiety to have the band in uniform on tho Queen's Birthday for tho review, and had even made an offer to contribute to the expense. The offer Avas, of course, declined, but tho uniform was procured, and the Garrison Band appeared in it for the first time yesterday, not at a revicAV in honour of iter Majesty's Birthday, but to pay the last honors to tho esteemed commander avlio had taken such an active interest iv its formation.

Captain Lcroy, senior A'oluuteer officer, had command of the volunteers. There were excellent musters, of all the companies, more especially of the Victoria and Navals. The Waiuku Cavalry, under Major Hamlin, wore alloted the duty of drawing tho guncarriage. The companies marched out as follows :—Naval Artillery, commanded by Lieutenant Parker aud sub-Lieutenant Smith ; A battery Artillery, Captain Payne, Lieutenant Nome,' and sub-Lieutenant Geddes ; Victoria, Captain Mahon, Lieutenant Skiunor, and sub-Lieutenant Self; No. 3, Captain Isaacs, Lieutenant Robinson, and sub-Lieutenant Hitchins ; Hobson Company, Captain Dignan, Lieutenants Clifton and "Connolly, and sub-Lieutenant Flynn. On tho parade wo also noticed in uniform Major Derrom, Major Morrow, Captain Anderson (late Engineers) Captain Birnic (late Scottish), and other members of old volunteer corps. Major Burns, commanding the New Zealand Regiment of Artillery, and Stif/coii; Dawson and Tenncnt were also on parade in uniform. Superintendent Thomson, of the A. C. force, was not only pre-;ont to testify his ra?poet to an old friend, but he had thoughtfully arranged for the presence of a contingent of the police force at tho cemotery, to prevent any interruption or want of order, and his instructions avcto ably carried out by Sergeant White. Major Lusk Avas also present.

Shortly before three o'clock tho companies marched in the order named to the house in Avhich the remains of Major Withers lay, in Upper Queen street. The volunteers formed in front of the gun carriage, and when the coffin, covered by tho Union Jack, and bearing a floral Avreath and the sword and accoutrements of tho deceased officer, Avas placed on it, the procession left for the cemetery, marching to the solemn strains of Beethoven's Dead March in Saul. The pull bearers were —Majors Moitoav, Burns, and Captain Anderson. Mr Withers, son of the deceased Major, avus chief mourner. After the bier Avas led the Major's horse, with boots and spurs reversed, and then came the old soldiers of the 05th. The troops, with reversed arms, headed the march to tho Church of England Cemetery, Symonds street, Avhere they opened out, allowing the gun carriage and coffin to go through. The cortege was met at the entrance by the Right Rev. Dr. Cowie, bishop of Auckland, avlio commenced the solemn burial service, and at the grave the lesson and a portion of tho burial service avus read by the Rev. T. W. Tebbs. The Avhole of the troops fired three volleys over the grave, and the earth then closed over the remains of Major Withers.

We are informed by the sexton that Major "Withers isiiiterred beside two of his children who Avero buried in the Auckland cemetery more than twenty years ago,

There avus a largo croAvd in the streets and along the line of march. A considerable number of citizens followed in procession and in carriages. After the funeral service tho A'oluuteer companies re-formed and marched back to the drill shed, where they Averc thanked by Captain Leßoy and dismissed.