THE DEATH OF MRS. BULL.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume I, Issue 3, 14 June 1887, Page 2

THE DEATH OF MRS. BULL.

There could be few indeed of our Gis* boiae residents who did not experience the greatest grief and most genuine sorrow when the sad news rapidly spread around the to«.i on Saturday last that Mrs G. Bull, the respected head mistress of the Gisborne school, had suddenly died. People were horror struck at the proof so terribly afforded of the old adage r ‘ In the midst of life we are in death." At first people could hardly be persuaded of the truth of the sad news ; but gradually the true import of the event dawned upon their minds, and we question whether there was a single person in Gisborne on Saturday who, when Shearing ot the affair, did not express his or her sorrow and sympathy with the bereaved husband and relatives. Only a short time had the deceased been ill, and, although the case was known to be a serious one, few there were who dreamt that the conclusion was to be so speedy and disastrous. It is sad enough when a friend is removed in all the prime of old age ; but, when the afflicted relatives have to mourn the removal, by the hand of God, of a young, amiable, and gifted lady, the case is doubly sorrowful. The deceased lady was a resident in Dunedin before she came up to Gisborne, some seven years ago, from Otago. She had gained high educational honours at the Normal College in Dunedin where she received that training which resulted in her proving so competent a teacher. Married but a few months ago to one of our most respected citizens, enjoying the love, esteem, and affection of those amongst whom she worked so cordially and loyally, she seemed bound for a long and happy life, both private, and public. It has pleased the Great Creator to remove her, and, knowing as we do, her genuine and unaffectea piety, we can only sympathise with her relatives and friends, and with them bow to the commands of the Almighty. Seldom, if ever, has such a funeral cortege been witnessed in Gisborne as honoured the last rites accorded to the deceased yesterday afternoon. Most of the leading tradesmen showed their respect for the deceased by closing, or partially closing their places of business, and the sorrowful procession which wound its mournful way to the cemetery was indeed a sight, happi'y, not often witnessed. No less than .ortyeight conveyances were present, and the total number of people participating cannot be estimated al less than 330, and included most of the leading citizens in the Bay. Two hundred and fifty of those amongst whom the deceased had pursued her labours of love were present, and, no doubt, the grief amongst the little ones was equal to and surpassed that of the adult mourners. The procession, when once on Gladstone Road, reached from Derby Street to Peel Street. The follow, ing was the order of the leading vebi> cles Ist Carriage : Contained Mr Bull and other relatives, 2nd Carriage : Revs. McAra and Luxford, and Messrs Moore and Pollock. 3rd Carriage ; Messrs Morgan (headmaster), and Woodward (assistant master). 4th Carriage : Pupil teachers as follows; Misses Evans, Good, Baker and Young; and Messrs Trimmer, Earam, Thompson and Matthews. Other conveyances contained the pupils lately taught by the deceased, pupils of past years, general scholars of the school and other friends of the deceased. Arrived at the Cemetery, the burial service was read by the Rev. McAra and the Rev. Mr Luxford offered up a prayer suitable to the sad occasion. The coffin was carried to the grave by the members of the School Committee, and the display of emotion by all when the body was lowered into its last long resting place, was touching in the extreme. Not the least affecting part of the ceremony was the singing of the well-known beautiful hymn. “Abide With Me," by thirty school girls. This was the deceased’s favorite hymn, and Its choice was most seemly and fitting. The deceased lady's maiden name was Miss Mary Mclntosn. We are only re-echoing tne universal feeling when we tender our most genuine sympathy to the bereaved husband and other relatives of the lady, who has so suddenly been taken away from our midst.