THE LATE MR. TAYLOR

Evening Post, Volume LXXXII, Issue 26, 31 July 1911, Page 3

THE LATE MR. TAYLOR

ENORMOUS CONCOURSE AT FUNERAL (IT IXLSOKAPH— 2SXSS ASSOCIATION.;) CHMSTCHtmCH, 30th July, tti the presence of a great gathering of Chrietchureh citizen*, the mortal ?e* mains of the late Mayor (Mr. T. E. Taylor, M.P.) were to-day kid to «*t. Around the marshalling area along the line of route and outride and vfithin the cemetery gates the people massed, all anxiotw to have a part in paying the last great tribute to the departed head of the city. The morning waa overcast and soft rain fell. The ooftege wa«, perhaps, the largest, of its kind yet seen in Christchurch. The head of the procession left at half^past two 1 , the iSelwyn^std'eet cemetery was reached three-quarter of an hour later, and the service at the graveside brought to a close a most solemn function. Early this moruing the casket eon* taining the body of the late Mayor was brought from Caahmere Hills to the City Council building#, and there placed on. ' a black draped table in the big Council Chamber, opposite the mayoral chair, and within the horseshoe area bounded by the table used at council meetings. The interior of the Chamber was heavily draped in black, while all around oft tabled covered with white cloths were arranged the multitude of wreaths which since Saturday morning had poured into the office. - At half'pant ten the main gates to the building were opened, and the big crowd assembled outside commenced to file quietly and steadily an. A# they reached the top of the stairs the people entered t the Chamber, filed roufid the body within the horseshoe area, viewer} tlie casket and wreaths, aad left by tho Mttall door at the south efld. The long #ti ( 'eam of citizen* Continued without in* terruption throughout the whole of the morning, and right up to 10 o'clock, when tlie doors were closed. THE PROCESSION. The «ky had cleared, and the sun waa shining mistily through, tlie grey clouds when the word wad given to the leaders of the cortege to proceed. Th* way was clear, though lined by watch' iiig thou«ands, and the leading band 9 moved forward to a slow march. They were in uniform, bub, with the exception of 'the Linwood Band, they carried no instruments. Their presence wae the bafldemen'a collective tribute to the departed. The Oddfellows, with whom Mr. Taylor had been associated, Mowed the bands. The Prohibition League eection etruck a distinctive note. The fciydefthaffl league Was in front with its banner, on which is emblazoned ita motto, following on were the Jepresentatives of various leagues, local «fld clia« tridt, from north to eoiith, anxious to do the final honour to one of their most distinguished leaders. The ministers of religion, many of them co-workers in the No-license cause, followed the league representatives, and preceded the hearee. The flower -laden hearse,- which followed, bore many beautiful tribute, as did some of the mourners' carriage*. Very sin* cere sympathy was manifested towatda the principal mourners, those who had been bound to Mr. Taylor by the ties of blood or intimate association. Then came the City Councillor*, the representative* of the Ministry, and a long «uc« cession of vehicles carrying representatives of almost every public body a«d public interest. The organised pedestrians who fc4low« ed made the mc*t impressive pwt of the cortege.- They were in a solid body, four and five feet deep. Seme of them wore t the distinctive colours of their organisation or union, or the coloured scarves of their friendly seietiea. This section was primarily, however, an indication of the sentiment o< organised Labour towards the late Mayor. There were men and boys, women and girls, all joining in this final and sorrowful tribute to one whom all admired" and esteemed, Following the pedestrians came a long line ol matuf cars and ta*i-eabs, containing citizens who were attending the obeeqnies whether in a private or » representative capacity. One could only agree that the civic funeral had been truly civic in. that the mourners in the mass were truly representative of the public, social, political atld industrial life of the city. ' AT THE CEMETERY. Outside the cemetery a large crowd congregated quite an hour before the fttnerai procession arrived, but were not admitted to the cemetery, and order was kept by a detachment of police on foot, The cortege reached the cemetery shortly after 3 o'clock. The ftev. L. M. Isitt took the first part of the service, the Hey. C. H. Garland conducted the service at the grave, and the Rev. C. H. Laws led in prayer. The Bey. L. M. Isitt delivered the funeral oration, and the Rev. S. Henderson also took part. "Lead Kindly Light," one of the late Mr. Taylor's favourite hyirnw, was sung, the Salvation. Army Band playing. After, the final prayer, "Abide With Me" was sung. Prominent around the grave, in addition to the members of Mr. Taylor's family and relative*, were the Actirtg'Prime Minister (Sir James Carroll), the Hon. George f owlds, and the Hon. D. Buddo. THE FUNERAL ORATION. The Rev. L. M. Isitt, in the funeral oraAwn, said if he had consulted his own feelings he would Je»ve the grave of the dearest and noblest, friend God ever gate htm in silence, but he believed that if Tom Taylor could look upon his own funeral concourse he would, true to the spirit of the man. think less of tlie presence of so many as a tribute to his work than as furnishing aa opportunity 'for good. He believed he would say, "Speak, sneak to these people and urge town to self'sacrjftc*, and io the higher life." What was the meaning of the great multitude assembled? Why did the whole citgpßUfge with sorrow, and the grief reach the limits of the Doraiwioii? The man whose grave tßey were round was no millionaire who could buy his way mto th« hearts of the peopia. The secret, of the hold he had on feb.« people and of the lov« they felt/ tor ttint was eimply fchig— that from the time h« was an office boy he gave the whole of his life and energies to aA effort for the people's good. He was a keen fighter, but was also the most tender and chiralrous «oul he (Mr. Isitt) had ever known. He did not want his passionate lots tot M*. Taylor to betray him into exaggeration. He was ft man of faults as well us virtues. Ly« ing on hie deathbed lie said • "Isitt, 1 have made many mistakes, but I have tried to live a self sacrificing life for the good of the people." They were (Mr. , Isitt continued) gathered round, the gi'av* of u& medietal saint, nor one whose religion was ecstasy. To him labour was often prayer, and his gospel Was a gospel of work. lie (Mr. Taylor) had little faith in the life that did not translate itself into a Christ-like love far man, and an earneet desire to advance Christ's Kingdom. In his antagonism against wrong, doubtless lie «ometim«s forgot his duty to smite the sin and not the einaer. In his impatience to hurry on right, he might have been sometimes harsh in his criticiem of those who opposed him, but all who knew him well knew how swift he was to express regret «md how eager he was ,to make amends, TLe one lessdn of Mr.

Taylor's life was that they should struggle on midst &li difficulties, struggle for Christ-likeness in word, thought, and spirit. Mr. Isitt concluded with a few words to Mr. Taylor's comrades in arms, and urged them to greater efforts to secure the reforms that Mr. Taylor had m much at heart. "Tom Taylor," ho said, "was a great man, but our cause is gre&ter than any man; anj because God has taken Taylor from us that did not mean that the inspiration of his hte was not yet with them. By his grave and in the presence of his loved dust they should fc6flsecrate themselves afresh to thfe struggle, atid ?ow that they would work as they never worked before, pmy and plead as they never prayed be pleaded before, until the hope- of the life of their brother was consummated and the people of New Zealand _are freed for ever from the degrading influence of strong drink."