FUNERAL OF MR LORD.

Greymouth Evening Star, 23 March 1911, Page 5

FUNERAL OF MR LORD.

A LAST TRIBUTE OF RESPECT,

A VERY REPRESENTATIVE

GATHERING

The interment of the remains of the late highly respected and greatly mourned Edward Iveagh Lord took place this afternoon and the weatner being absolutely perfect one of the largest gatherings that has ever followed the coffin containing a dead citizen to the last resting place took paid in the solemn procession. The proceedings began at the residence of the deceased, where the Yen. Archdeacon York conducted the first portion of the beautiful Anglican burial service in a most feelingly, sympathetic manner. During the rendering of the most impressive portions of the marvellously worded chapter in Corinthians in which St. Paul speaks of death as being but a transition from this to a better world, many present were evidently touched Avith the truth of this unparalleled doctrine so ably and beautifully described. This portion of the service being over some of the Borough employees staff carried the coffin to the street and there deposited it on the Greymouth Fire Brigade’s carriage, which Avas suitably caparisoned and on Avhich Avere hung a large number of Avreaths which had been sent from local governing bodies, private enterprises and friends from far and near so that thq room in Avhich the coffin lay Avas a perfect bower of beauty.

The cortege was then formed, the Masonic fraternity, of which the deceased had been a zealous member, proceeding the hearse, the numbers and the mourning regalia they Avore being a sign of the loss they iiad sustained. The Yen. Archdeacon York awaited the cortege at the cemetery gate where the Masons separated into two i-oavs to allow of the coffin being carried direct to the grave. Immediately following the coffin, Avliich Avas carried by some of the Borough staff came the members of the deceased gentleman’s family and relatives, then the Mayor and members of the Borough Council and ex-Mayors. who acted as pall bearers, and behind them the clerical staff of the Borough Council. Then followed members of various companies, etc, that the deceased Avas associated with, to Avith, Greymouth Education Board, Board of High School Governors, Greymouth Permanent Building and Investment Society, Greymouth Evening Star and all the local bodies in Greymouth and a great many from other parts of the Coast. These were folloAved by a very large .concourse of the public Avho thus paid their last tribute of respect to the memory of a man Avho all have learned to look upon as “one of Nature’s gentlemen” and an official of whom any municipality might justly be proud. The concluding portion of the Church service was then read by the Archdeacon, after Avhich the Masonic fraternity formed a square on each side of the grave and D.D. Prov. G.M. Jesse Steer read the chief portion of the beautiful Masonic funeral ritual at a certain point of Avhich each member of the fraternity dropped a sprig of acacia on the coffin, a Masonic symbol to a departed brother. Many of those present then came forward and deposited wreaths and immortelles on the graveside, several bearing most sympathetically-Avorded cards attached to Avhite ribbon.

At the close of the ceremony, the Mayor invited the members of the Borough Council to meet him at the Municioal Chambers, and they adjourned accordingly.