A CITIZENS’ FUNERAL

Evening Star, Issue 19796, 21 February 1928, Page 5

A CITIZENS’ FUNERAL

DUNEDIN IN MOURNING BURIAC OF MR 0. SPEIGHT If the relatives had studied their own desires the burial of Mr Charles Speight ‘his morning would have been private; but so many organisations and individuals intimated their wish to pay the.ir last respects that it became a citizens’ funeral, and the most impressive citizens’ funeral of modern times, distinguishable for the number of mourners and the manifested intensity of feeling. Flags were, half-masted all over the town, the hotels closed for an hour (from 9,30 to 10.30), and t every class in the community was represented. Watching the 157 motor cars forming up for the procession that took twentyfive minutes to pass a given point, the question suggested itself as to whether there was any public or private body in Dunedin with which Mr Speight was not in contact.

The burial was at the Northern Cemetery, in the plot where the deceased’s mother lies. Dr Merrington, as the minister of First Church, conducted the service at the residence in Upper York place, other clergymen present being Professor Davies, Dr Gumming, and the Rev. V. G. Bryan King (Red Cross), also Mr F. G. Gumming. The pallbearers were the deceased’s four sons—-Dr Norman C. Speight and Messrs Allan, Hugh, and Colin Speight —also Mr Walter Speight and his sons Eric and Bruco and the deceased’s cousin, Mr A. H. Tonkinson. The Arthur Street School was closed, and the senior boys lined each side of the hearse until reaching Pitt street, where they dropped behind and allowed the cortege to pass through. In the procession were the mayor fMr W. B. Taverner), the deputy-mayor (Mr J. S. Douglas), Crs Scott and Lnrnach. Sir John Roberts was close behind. Parliament was represented by Sir Charles Stntham, Messrs J. Horn, and J. M Dickson. Mr J. J. Clark was associated with Mr E. Iff. Grace and other members of the Patriotic Association. The directors of New Zealand Breweries included Messrs R. M. Greenshvdc, Hugh Adam, and J. A. Ainge. Mr J. Sutherland Ross (chairman) and other Exhibition directors wore there, with Mr H. W. Spence (secretary). Dr W. Marshall Macdonald, Mr Speight’s medical adviser, attended at the house and followed. Mr L. Deans Ritchie was one of the representatives of the University Council. The Harbor Board members noticed were the chairman (Mr Dickson), Mr J. Loudon, and the secretary (Mr Bardsley). Tho New Zealand Express Company was represented by Mr James Brown, Mr R. Dnthie, and other directors. Mr T. Somerville (chairman of the Manufacturers’ Association) had with him several leading members of that body. The employees of Speight’s brewery attended to a man, and tho maimed and sick soldiers now in tho Montocillo Home sent as many of their number as could leave their beds. This is hut a skeleton list of the mourners. Their name was Legion, for they wore many. Clergy, politicians, lawyers, doctors, soldiers, laborers, Prohibitionists, men of every rank.

At the graveside Dr Merrington continued the service and read the committal sentences. THE WREATHS.

The vestibule of tho residence and two or three of tho rooms opening therefrom were filled with wreaths, those who in that way signified their respect for Mr Speight being the Hon. W. Downio Stewart and his sister, S. J. T. and E. C. Branson, R. Thomson and Co., Mr and Mrs Eardley Reynolds, Lang and Paterson, Miss E. E. Reid, Miss K. M'Lean, Mrs A. Thomson and family, Mr R. Dawson, Messrs J. M. and F. R. Brown, Mr and Airs A. H. Tonkinson, Air and Airs W. Speight and family. Air and Airs Alatthcwson, Airs and Miss Grecnsladc, Air and Airs Adam, Air and Airs Dransficld, patients and staff of Alontecillo Home, Air R. Hudson and his brothers. Air and Mrs W. Ewing, Air and Airs James Glendining, Air and Airs Syrett and Airs Alilleh, Aliss Keeling, Air and Airs W. L. Aloorc, Air and Airs Bardslcy, Airs Brown, Exhibition directors, Air and Ali-s J. J. Clark, Air and Airs Arthur Barnett, Air and Airs W. Burt and family, Air and Airs J. Sutherland Ross, Air and Airs J. Heaney, women’s section of Exhibition (per Mrs J. Sutherland Ross), president and executive of Otago Expansion League, Mr Janies Edgar and his daughter, Quid, Alorris, and Co., Air and Airs F. H. King, Airs R. W. Glendining and her daughters, Air and Airs A. E. APDongall, Alilburn Lime and Cement Company, Otago Rowling Club, Thos. Aladdon, Red Cross Society, Otago Patriotic Society, household staff and gardener, malting department of Speight’s brewery. Airs Richard 'Hudson, management Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin City Council, Dominion Executive ol the Licensing Reform Association, R. Powley and Co., Airs _ Moffett, Dunedin Alerchants’ Association, Otago _ Club, Dunedin Alanufactnrcrs’ Association, King Edward and New Queen’s Company, Air C. H. Hewlett, Scoullar and Chisholm, Caledonian Society, directors and members, Air and Airs R. S. Brown and family, Alfred vincial Council of tho Licensed Trade of Otago, directors (Southern StarrBowkctt Building Society, committee of Arthur Street School jubilee celebrations, directors and staff of Thomson, Bridger, and Go., Air and Airs H. F. Ottley, Mr Alfred Louisson, Air Hugh Adam, Air and Airs A. S. Duncan, employees N.Z. Breweries (Speight’s oranch), office staff, Christchurch branch N.Z. Breweries, Wellington branch N.Z. Breweries, Air and Airs J. A. Aingo, directors Shag Point Coal Co., Air and Airs J. L. Salmond, Airs Ainge and family, W. E. C. Reid and Co., Air J. M. Twhigg, Air R. AI. Greenslade, Air A A. Paape, Air J. Twhigg and family, Air and Airs J. A. Haggitt, Air C. B. Smith and family, directors Charles Haines Advertising Co., Air and Airs G. Dawson, Air and Airs R. APAlillnn, APGavin and Strachan, AH and Airs E. W. Walden, Arthur Street School Committee, United Linseed Millers, APGavin and Strachan’s employees, Air and Airs H. C. Campbell, Airs Olsen and family, Canterbury Licensed Victuallers’ Association, Air R. Shepherd, Airs Crawford, Licensed Victuallers’ Association of New Zealand, Commercial Travellers and Warehousemen’s Association, Air Thos. Brown, Air and Airs R. Alackenzic. AIESSAGES OE CONDOLENCE.

At a meeting of the Management Committee of the Otago Rugby Union the chairman (Mr D. M. Stuart) said the members would have heard of the death of Mr Charles Speight with great regret. Mr Speight had been a life member of the union, and in its trying times had always been ready to give assistance. Some of their leading players were in the employ of Mr Speight, and there had never been any difficulty in getting them leave to play in matches. The death of Mr Speight was a great loss to the community. Ho was one of Dunedin’s best citizens. He would move that a letter of sympathy be sent to the relatives of the deceased. The motion was carried in silence, members standing. The Otago Bowling Centre last night carried a motion of condolence with the relatives,of the late Mr Charles Speight, the president (Mr D. M. Pastier) making reference to the great assistance given to bowling by Mr Speight. At the monthly meeting of the Chamber of Commerce last evening the president referred to the loss the chamber and the business community had suffered by the sudden death of Mr Charles Speight, and a motion of sym-

pathy with Mrs Speight and family was passed. The committee of the Society for the Protection of Women and Children yesterday carried the following resolution of sympathy with Mrs Speight and family;—“ The society records its deep regret at the loss to the community occasioned by the death of Mr Charles Speight, whose good works and unfailing charity will survive to preserve his memory. The society conveys its deepest sympathy to Mrs Speight and her family.’!