LAST TRIBUTES

Evening Star, Issue 22248, 28 January 1936, Page 12

LAST TRIBUTES

CHRISTCHURCH. The observance of the two minutes’ silence was a deeply moving and impressive cei’emony. The dramatic suspension of activities commanded the attention of all. Long before 11 o clock a crowd of some thousands had gathered in the Square before the open west door of the Cathedral. It wanted only a few seconds to the hour when Bishop West-Watson. the deputy-mayor (Mr J. W. Beanland). and representatives of tlxe churches, local bodies, and Army and Navy, appeared on the Cathedral steps. The clock on the Chief lost Office had just begun to chime the hour when the fire siren blared out its warning, and a deep prevailed. When the end of the two minutes was announced by the siren Bishop WestWatson led the people in the Lord s Prayer. WELLINGTON. Following the firing of a gun, Wellington fell into a deep and reverent hush that conveyed, as nothing else could have done, the city’s deep sorrow at the passing of a loved monarch, ine only sounds were-of animals and birds, and here and there the ticking of a clock. At the end of the silence there sounded the deep note of the five-ton carillon bell, which continued to strike at one minute intervals for 70 minutes. People generally stood to attention. The tribute was real, and was marked by deep feeling.