PLANE CRASH VICTIMS

Grey River Argus, 5 July 1944, Page 3

PLANE CRASH VICTIMS

BURIAL AT HOKITIKA.

HOKITIKA, July 4. The large number of wreaths and the numerous attendance at the funeral at Hokitika, to-day, of the two men who Lost theii' lives m the Air Travel Diane crash at Kawatin on Friday,’ Captain J. C. Mercer and Mr M. Dawe, Dore eloquent testimony to the respect in which they were held in -the district and beyond, and paid a tribute to sterling work done by the men, particularly Captain Mercer, in the interests of aviation on the West Coast. Rev. K. Hadfield and Rev. H. A. Childs conducted a service at the landing ground, where the colhns containing the bodies of the victims, rested on trestles. The large assemblage, led by Rev. Childs, sang the hymn, “Abide With Me.” Paying tribute to Captain Mercer, whom he described as having pioneered the progress of aviation in Westland, *<ev. Hadfield expressed the wish that those who followed would be worthy of his efforts. . The coffin of Captain Mercer, whose nail-bearers were members of the R.N.Z.A.F., and that of Mr. Dawe, carried by Messrs! P. (Renton, J. Marshall, R. Ross, J. Chapman and G. Wilson, were then conveyed to tne hearses, which led the cortege on its wa v to the Hokitika Cemetery. An indication of the number of mourners who followed the cortege is obtained by the fact that as cemetery hill was reached the last of the cars was only leaving the bridge over the Hokitika River.' Many people lined the streets as the funeral passed, a number of businesses having closed, /I he service at the graveside of Captain Mercer was conducted by Rev. Mr. Hadfield, and as the body was lowered into the grave officers of the Royal New Zealand Air Force and the Army advanced to its brink, saluted and retired. As those who had come to pay their last respects bowed their heads in silence an Air Travel plane circled overhead. Rev. Mr. Childs conducted the service at the gravesiae of Mr. Dawe and a Masonic service was conducted by Mr. R. Frederick W.M. of the Dodge Westland Kilwinning, following which Free Masons circled the grave and deposited sprigs of evergreen. Both hearses were covered with wreaths. Floral tributes had arrived from all over New Zealand, while a great number were despatched by Christchurch friends. One floral model of an aeroplane was most impressive. - . . .. The R.N.Z.A.F. and civil aviation were represented by Wing-Command-ers Barnett, Gibson, Kirkup, Carter, Hewitt and Steadman, Flight Lieutenants Buckeridge and M. E. Spiers, and Flying Officers C. Lewis and Montgomery. Captains A. W. Moreland A. R. Curtis and W.O. II S. Davy represented the Army, Other visitors and friends amongst those present included: Messrs G. H. Chapman, of Nelson (Managing Director of Air Travel (N.Z.) Ltd. F. A. Kitchingham, (Mayor of Greymouth), P. Blanchfield (Deputy-Mayor of Greymouth), W. D. Nolan (Okuru), K. O. May (Mayor of Ross), A. R. Elcock (Mayor of Hokitika), M. H. Houston (Chairman, Hokitika Harbour Board), Graham (Waiho • Gorge), Wilkinson (Christchurch), Frazer (Otira), J. R. Taylor (Christchurch), T. Walsh (Wataroa), R. Boucher, A. Warnes, F. J. McLean. D. R. Dowell (Greymouth.), F. Williamson (Blenheim), H. Harvey (President of the. ~Hoki-

tika Waterside Workers’ Union), W. J. Radford (Rimu Gold Dredging Coy), members of the Hokitika Rotary Club, Freemasons’ Lodge, Hokitika Fire Board, Hospital Board, Westland County Council, and officers of the Public Works Department, Greymoutli.