FUNERAL OF MR. SEDDON.

Evening Post, Volume LXXI, Issue 147, 22 June 1906, Page 2

FUNERAL OF MR. SEDDON.

A brief Masonic service closed the ceremonies at the grave of Mr. Seddon yesterday, and the end came with the chanting of a few words of a native dirge, just after 4 o'clock. Thus terminated the most impressive obsequies that New Zealand has ever witnessed. Truly, aa was said in the Post yesterday, the procession was international. AH quarters of the globe were represented in the cortege. The foreign nations that had proxies were France (Mi. W. Nathan for Mr. H. Beauchamp), Germany (Messrs. F. A. Krull and E.i Focke), Spain (Mr. A. H. Turnbull), Portugal (Mr. A. Duncan), Norway and Sweden (Mr. A. Pearce), Denmark (Mr.' H. D. Bell), the Netherlands (Mr. H. F. Johnston, who also represented Belgian Consul-General) Italy (Mr. R. T. Robertson), United States of America. (Mr. K. Duncan for Mr. J. Duncan), Japan (Mr. A. S. Aldrich), Brazil (Mr. A. H. Miles), Paraguay (Mr. A. E. Keruot). Captain Elliott, of H.M.S. Encounter, attended for Vice-Admiral Sir Wilmot Fawkes), and Captain Braithwaite represented Lord Plunket. Twenty-four Legislative Councillors inarched with their Speaker, the Hon. C, C. Bowen, and over seventy members of the House of Representatives followed their Speaker, Mr. A. R. Guinness. j In addition to members of the Ministry, the honour of pall-bearers was accorded the Chairman of the Westland County Council (Mr. M'Guigan), the Mayor of Kumara (Mr. Murdoch), and two prominent Masons — Mr. F. O. Binns, Christchuroh (pro-Grand Master of New Zealand), and Mr. Malcolm Niccol (Grand Secretary). Military officers were a conspicuous force in the long file. The attendance I comprised Major Hume (commanding the firing party), Surgeon - Lieutenant Colonel Gollins (Wellington), Major An- 1 drew (of the 20th Horse, , Indian Cavalry), Lieutenant-Colonel Chaytbr (Blenheim), representing Lieut. -Colonel Wolfe) Mv3or Tatum, Major Davy, V.D., Captain Kenny (of Marlboroughj, Captain Dixon (Ellesmere Mounted Rifles), Captain Hamer (Foxton Defence Corps), Captain Thomas (Army Pay Department), Captain Henderson, Major T. B. Halpin, Major Cosgrove (North Canterbury Infantry Volunteers), Captain Hutson, SurgeonCaptain M'Gavin, Surgeon-Captain Purdy, (representing British Association), Captain Trask (District Adjutant for Otago, representing LieutenantColonel Robin), Lieutenant Fraser, Lieutenant Symon, Lieutenant Smythe, Lieutenant Salter (North Canterbury Rifles) Lieutenant W. F. Ross. Representatives of the warships in port included Commander Hills, of the Encounter, and SubLieutenant Kerr, of the Pioneer. The troops, young and old, that lined the route, made an impressive spectacle. Colonel Campbell was in command of over 600 volunteers, and Major Brandon's force exceeded 500. Colonel Loveday's battalions of cadets mustered nearly a thousand. Praise is deserved by the men, including police, who were in charge of the lobby at the Parliamentary Buildings yesterday while the public were admitted to view the coffin. There was, of 'course, a huge number of people anxious to gain, admittance, but perfect order was maintained so that all wera able to file through without any semblance of overcrowding. The Selwyn County Council was represented by the clerk, Mr. Wm. Jamieeon. Mr. W. B. Scandrett, Mayor of Invercargill, in addition to his own borough, represented Southland County Council, Southland Education Board, and the Borough of Campbelltown. i SERVICES IN AUSTRALIA. i SYDNEY, 21st June. Flags were half-masted at the Admiralty Depot at Garden Island and on all public buildings and shipping. ' At noon a large congregation assembled at St. Andrew's Cathedral to pay, ir unison with those taking part in the funeral rites at Wellington, a last tribute to Mr. Seddon. The build* ing was draped in purple and blade, and the altar decked with white flowers. Union Jacks were suspended. The service was choral. As the con"gregation gathered, the organist played "I Know that My Redeemer Liveth." The opening hymn was "Brief Life is Here Our Portion." Then followed the service for the dead, impressively sung by the choir, concluding with the anthem "Crossing the Bar," to Woodward's music. The solemn service terminated with the singing of the hymn "Ten Thousand Times Ten Thousand," the organist playing the Dead March in "Saul" and Beethoven's Funeral March. Archdeacon Gunthet officiated, assisted by Canons Langley, Sharpe, and Boyce. Among those present were Lord Northcote, Sir Harry Rawson, Mr.' J. A. Hogue (Chief Secretary), the Lord Mayor, Captain 1 Stoke Rees (representing tho navy), Mr. E. W. O'Sullivan, Mr. T. E. Donne, Mr. Jackson (of the Union Company), Mr. Pike (Bank of New Zealand), and a large number of New Zealanders. MELBOURNE 21st. June. Flags were flown at half-mast to-day on all public and many private buildings, out of respect to £he late Mr. Seddon. His former connection with the_ Victorian railway service was signalised in a special manner. The railway authorities issued a special order to the employees at the .Newport workshops that all work should cease between 3 p.m. and five minutes past, during which time all engines sounded whistles at intervals of one minute. It was further directed that each man should remain at his post in perfect silence during the five minutes' interval.