THE DEAD CHIEF

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 13 May 1925, Page 5

THE DEAD CHIEF

LYING IN STATE. AT PARLIAMENT HOUSE. TAfPRESSIYE SCENE. (By Telegraph—Special to Star.) WELLINGTON, Alay 12. On a large dins, draped in black and having a canopy of mauve and black, tne body of the late Prime Alinister rests in the vestibule of Parliament Buildings. It is a dignified and impressive place in which the public may see the remains of a doughty fighter who so long dominated that scene. The vestibule is tne centre of Parliament Buildings as it is x 3 l ann ' e d for the complete structure. Rising from the first tioor to a beautiful stained glass roof is a light well, having massive marble pillars at each corner. Depending from the first balcony of the well is a draping of black and mauve, with electric lignt shedding soft rays on the golden oak coffin. The dias is surrounded by railings, and four soldiers stand facing the coffin with reversed arms. The public is being permitted to enter through the main doors and file past the dias, leaving Parliament Buildings by a lower floor, after passing the hundreds of wreaths which have been carefully dispayed on screens draped in black. Surrounding the coffin are wreaths from members of the late Prime Minister’s family, his Alinisterial colleagues, and a personal wreath from the Governor-General and Lady Fergusson, composed of bright red roses, violets and autumn leaves.

POINT HALSWELL. A PLACE WITH A HISTORY. Closely associated witn the history of New Zealand, is point tne spot whicn has been chosen for the last resting place of the Prime; Alinister. Records of the colony in tne early 'forties provide material for a romantic and interesting story.

The point was named after one of the earliest arrivals in New Zealand, Edmund btorr Halswell, who landed in 1840, having made the passage by the good ship Lady Nugent. Mr Halswell was nominated as one of the three senior justices api pointed by Governor Hobson, when the first Executive Council was formed, on the country being made independent of New South Wales Government on Alay ’3, 1841. When he arrived in New Zealand Air Halswell carried letters from Lord John Russell, a Alinister in the Home Government. When Governor Hobson visited Wellington a little later Air Halswell was appointed a sub-proctor of aborigines, a post he held until he was appointed a judge of the Supreme Court. He held the position of judge until he was superseded, by Air Justice Chapman, father of Sir Frederick Chapman, who just recently retired from the Supreme Court Bench. Air Halswell lived in Wellington for very many years in the vicinity of Happy Valley, where he built a nouse of an old English design. Apart from its association with the beginning of New Zealand’s history, Port Halswell has also played a part in the defence of Wellington, and mention of the spot at once brings to mind the days when the Russian scare of 1886 caused New Zealand to look to her defences. In that year work was commenced on a gunpit at the point, and the first eight-inch gun was mounted. It was found difficult to secure a solid foundation, and it became necessary to concrete the pit. In this connection it is interesting to record that the engineer in charge of the work was Air A. D. Bell, a brother of Sir Francis Bell, \\jho is at present act-ing-Prime Minister. Stretching across the harbour from the point was a minefield which ’had been laid in expectation of that Russian invasion, which fortunately did not materialise. Records show that the first shot’ from the gun was fired in 1891, and this, it is stated, had the effect of smashing the windows and lamps within a radius of half a mile. The old gun was dismounted last week and rolled down to the beach below, and to-day it is being taken to pieces and finally disposed of. The point boldly juts into' the harbour, and is the most prominent feature on that shore. The approach to the graveside is steep, and the roadway around the foreshore is so narrow that the traffic problem on the occasion of the funeral has caused much thought and elaborate arrangements. Once the elevated site is reached there opens up an extensive view of Wellington and its harbour, with the Hutt Valley and the lofty peaks of the Tarnrua ranges to the north.

TN LONDON. SEP,,VICE AT WESTMINSTER ABBEY. BY CABLE—PRESS ASSOCIATION—COP VBAUIIT,. LONDON, May H. The New Zealand Office and i>ew Zealand pavilion at Wembley close while Thursday’s service is in progress. At present the flags are half-masted at Wembley, and at- all the New Zealand offices in London. Lord lianfurly, on behalf of himself, the merchants ana residents or U'ungannon, also the Mayor of Londonderry (Mi'- ' Maeoieej and Lord Liverpool sent messages of condolence' to the High Commissioner’s office. At the memorial service arranged by the British Government at Westminster Abbey for Mr. Massey, special seats will be reserved for New Zealanders. The Lord Mayor of London telegraphed to the High Commissioner: “The citizens of London deeply regret the death of your Prime Minister. They happily recall that they added him to London’s roll of famous Freemen many years ago.

AN AMERICAN EULOGY. NEW YORK, May 12. The New York Times, in a leader, eulogises Mr. Massey, saying lie was by the force of his character one m the statesmen of the new Pacific. New Zealand and Australia have been forced to think internationally and give special attention to the Empire’s policies in the Far East. Thisi explains the vigour with which Mr. Massey protested against the abandonment of the Singapore base. The Singapore base to him, as to fch< leaders in Australia, was vital to, the integrity of Britain. It was largely Awing to his efforts that the Dominions were represented at the Washington Conference. Such was Mr. Massey’s Jiold on his own people that only death displaced him. It is a, curiou-s paradox that in a country noted for its excess of Liberalism a man who by nature was so staunch a Conservative so long held power.

A. vote of condolence wjth the rolaties of the late Rt. Hon. \\ . F. Massey, Prime Minister, was passed at the> meeting of the Egmout County Council yesterday. The chairman (Or. W. C. Green) * referred in suitable terms to' the lamented death of Mr. Massey, and the council standing .in silence ga.ve mute expression to, its regret and sympathy, after which the meeting adjourned for ten minutes. On the motion of Or. J. S. Tosland, the chairman was appointed toi attend the funeral as the representative of the council ami to take a wreath on its behalf. A telegram expressing the deep sympathy of the business men of Knwer.a has been sent to Mrs. Massey by the president (Mr. Dixon) of tlie Halvera Chamber of Commerce. Among the numerous wreaths sent from Taranaki is one from the Patea branch of the Reform League. A wreath was also sent from the New Plvmouth branch. The Masonic lodges of Taranaki combined in sending a beautiful wreath, expresing the deep regret at the death of the Grand Master and of sympathy with Mrs. Massey and family.