THE FUNERAL OF CAPTAIN FAIR CHILD.

Evening Post, Volume LVI, Issue 5, 6 July 1898, Page 6

THE FUNERAL OF CAPTAIN FAIR CHILD.

•' ♦ The last tribute of the people of the colony to their well-tried aud faithful servant, the late Captain John Fairchild, was paid this afternoon, in according him one of the largest funerals that has 3'et been seen in Wellington. The (lags of the shipping and public buildings were flown at half-mast, the Parliament of the country was adjourned for half-an-hour, the Government oilices vtere closed for the afternoon, the Governor of the colony sent representatives—all in honour of a gallant sailor and a conscientious officer of tlie Public Service. The funeral proeesMon u;i^ of great length, the hcar«t', piled hi_,rh uilh urcalhs ol" winter flowery, bemu 111 Manners-street m!i«;i tins la^t of Hie carriages ware leaving Hawker-slreel. Every sh;ide, of public opinion refined to be represented, from the hciii^ ot drpirt incuts of the Government loe.il bodies, shipping interests, &c, to citizens of all ch^es, wlnlo crowds of people lined the M reels and watched it go by on Us way In the Karori Cemetery. Tho chief mourners were Master Hector Fairchild (youngest son of the late captain), Messrs. C. lJeaive, A. J. Barnard, W. P. James, and G. Allport. His Excellency the Governor's representative was Captain Alexander, Private Secretary, while the Hon. Charles Hill - Trevor, A.D.C., attended on behalf of the household staff. The Premier and many members of both Houses were also present. The coffin was carried from the house to the hearse, and from the hearse to the grave, by six of the crew of the Tutanaekai, and the officers of that vessel acted as pall-bearers. Among the large collection of wreaths which were sent were tributes from the Countess of Raufurly, Captain Alexander (Private Secretary to the Governor), Capt. Ward and Hon. C. Hill-Trevor (A.D.C.'s), the Ministry, Ministers and their Secretaries, the Premier and Mrs. Seddon, the officers and crew of the Tutanekai aud Hinemoa, the Union Steam Ship Company, the Marine Department, and the General Post Office. The Rev. Mr. Johnson, curate of St. Peter's Church, conducted the burial service.