THE FIRE TRAGEDY.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 26 May 1928, Page 9

THE FIRE TRAGEDY.

FUNERAL OF THE VICTIMS

The funeral of the seven victims of the Ararata fire tragedy took place this afternon. . The remains were contained in one casket, a fact which might have lessened the impressiveness ox the occasion in the eyes of many of the spectators. The iuneral procession left the Hawera p.ublie hospital at two o’clock and proceeded by way of High Street to the Hawera cemetery, over thirty motor-cars following the hearse. A very few business premises had closed doors; the streets were thronged with people who reverently lined the footpaths, as the procession passed, by, but it was a matter of a minute or two only that the bustle of a busy marketing day was stilled. There were not lacking signs that the-magnitude of the tragedy which had stricken one family was appreciated by spectators, but the manner of the passing of'the procession through the main street must possibly have conveyed to the minds of many how evanescent are the effects of the saddest or grimest of tragedies. At the graveside, there was an as-semblage-of over . 300 people., including the pupils of the Ararata Public School and a sail ad of Girl Guides under.Mias Ballantine. The _ Rev. J. R. Young conducted the service, which deeply impressed the hearers. The pall-bearers, ■friend,si of the late Mr Welter, were Messrs D. Sales, H. Burton, F. Burton, H. Woodliead, C. Spice and R. Morsheacl. . , The numerous beautiful floral tributes: laid on the grave by residents of the district in which the deceased resided were testimony of the respeclb in which they were held by . fellowsettlers.